How to Stay Safe Before, During, and After a Hurricane
A depressing side effect of global climate change is more powerful hurricanes: four of the six most powerful hurricanes on record have occurred since 2005, and Hurricane Melissa , which swept through Jamaica yesterday as a Category 5 storm, could become the fifth.
Anyone living along the US coast is potentially vulnerable to the dangers of such destructive storms, from deadly debris thrown up by high winds, accidental electrocutions from downed power lines, and, especially, storm surges and freshwater flooding—the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. But you can protect yourself by following a few simple tips.
Where is the safest place to be during a hurricane?
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First, get out of the hurricane’s path. The safest place to be when a hurricane is approaching is somewhere else, so you should definitely evacuate as soon as you’re warned. Hurricanes aren’t entirely predictable, but they move slowly enough that evacuation is usually possible. Don’t be complacent: track storms in advance and evade them if you’re in danger. (Information on how to track hurricanes is below.)
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Go to a designated shelter: Sometimes residents are ordered to seek shelter as hurricanes approach. If city officials require you to go to a shelter, do so. An “official” shelter will almost certainly be safer than your home.
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Stay home. If you haven’t evacuated yet (either through stubbornness or because of a shelter-in-place order), stay home. Hurricanes are powerful and mesmerizing storms, but resist the temptation to go outside and experience them firsthand or try to batten down the hatches once the storm hits. It’s too late. Save yourself, not your patio furniture.
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Stay away from windows. Don’t look out the window during a hurricane. Storm winds can instantly turn windowpanes into deadly shards.
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Go to a small interior room: the safest part of the house is the middle. You need to be protected from broken glass when windows are broken, so it’s best to choose an interior room without windows. This could be a hallway, bathroom, storage room, etc. Wherever you hide, make sure there are no heavy objects above you that could fall.
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Stay on the lowest floor except the basement: You might think it’s best to move to higher ground, but that’s not true. Avoid the upper floors of your home because the higher you go, the stronger the wind, and during strong hurricanes, roofs can be blown off or destroyed by debris. Stay on the lowest floor inside your home, which is less likely to flood, but not in the basement. Basements can quickly fill with water during storm surges and are not always safe.
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Stay home even longer: be patient and don’t be fooled if the storm subsides. You could find yourself in the eye of a hurricane, and strong winds could intensify. Listen to the radio and wait for permission from local authorities to go outside.
While there are ways to reduce the risk, being trapped in your home during a hurricane is a potentially deadly situation and can almost always be avoided by taking a few precautions and evacuating when required.
Learn how hurricane alerts work
Make sure your phone and backup phone are set up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from FEMA through the Integrated Public Alert System (IPAWS) . These are free 90-character text messages that local authorities can send to mobile devices within range of any cell tower in the affected area. There’s no need to register; just make sure your phones are up to date and charged.
For more hurricane information, subscribe to local public alert systems.
Next, find information about the public alert system in your jurisdiction. Click here and enter your city or county name + “Emergency Alerts” to learn how to sign up. You should also contact your local emergency management or public safety agency. You can also receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service via NOAA Weather Radio . Do your best to ensure everyone in your household receives alerts and notifications, not just you.
What is the difference between a hurricane “warning,” “alert,” and “alert”?
Warnings are useless if you don’t understand their meaning. Here’s a quick breakdown of FEMA’s hurricane and tropical storm warnings:
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Hurricane Warning: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues this warning when it expects a storm to cause significant inconvenience that may be dangerous but not life-threatening.
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Hurricane Warning: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues this warning if a hurricane is expected within the next 48 hours. If you see a warning, tune in to a NOAA weather station, local radio, television, or other news source to stay informed. Double-check your emergency supplies and duffel bag in case you need to take shelter or evacuate.
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Hurricane Warning: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a hurricane warning when it expects a hurricane to occur within the next 36 hours. Follow all the steps outlined in the “Watch” section, and then prepare to evacuate if advised to do so.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane Evacuation
Local authorities may require you to leave the area immediately, so be prepared to leave at any time. Here’s what you need to do to be prepared:
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Create an evacuation plan: Review your community’s evacuation plan or develop your own using suggested routes on your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management websites.
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Plan your next trip: let family or friends know where you might be staying, or use the FEMA mobile app to find the nearest emergency shelter. Establish a meeting point for everyone in case you get lost.
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Prepare your vehicle: Fill up the gas tank, stock the car with emergency supplies, and make sure it’s ready to go.
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Pack a bug-out bag: Each family member should have a bug-out kit (also known as a “go-bag”) ready. It should include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a phone backup, a first aid kit and prescriptions, copies of important documents, a change of clothes, hygiene supplies, and anything else your children, seniors, or pets might need for a few days away from home. Read more about what to pack in a bug-out bag here .
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Leave no one behind: Make sure your evacuation plan takes into account all members of your family, including pets.
How to protect your home from a hurricane
If you have time before a storm, prepare your home for high winds , heavy rain, and airborne particles. This means reinforcing doors and protecting windows. All windows, dormers, and sliding glass doors should be closed. Plywood is the least expensive option, but it must be installed correctly. Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, so here’s the government’s guide to properly installing plywood for hurricane preparedness .
DO NOT tape your windows to protect them. It’s not very effective, and if the glass breaks, it could create larger, more dangerous shards.
How to Prepare Your Yard for a Hurricane
After closing all openings, bring in all loose items from the yard: patio furniture, trash cans, bicycles, toys, garden tools, etc. If anything is too large to bring inside, secure it as securely as possible outside. Make sure trees are trimmed to prevent branches from hitting the house. Unplug electrical appliances and turn off all propane tanks.
Finally, prepare your home and belongings for possible flooding. Clear gutters and drains of debris, elevate your heating system, water heater, and electrical panel, and avoid storing valuables that are easily damaged in the basement or low-lying areas.
What to do after a hurricane
The danger doesn’t end when the winds stop. Here’s what to remember after a hurricane passes.
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Stay away from flooded water: do not walk or drive on flooded streets. Never enter flooded water—even shallow water can pose a risk of electrical shock and be a source of hazardous chemicals, human and animal waste, and potentially deadly pathogens.
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Stay away from damaged buildings: storm-damaged structures may collapse.
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Beware of downed power lines: Strong winds can knock down power lines, and power lines can shock you.
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Safe Use of Generators: If your power goes out but you have a generator, make sure you know how to use it safely.
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Make sure your food and water are not contaminated: throw away food and drinks that have come into contact with flood water or have a suspicious smell or appearance.
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Follow government instructions: Listen to emergency radio broadcasts and be prepared to follow government instructions.