Preparing for hurricane season: First steps and must-have supplies

The Atlantic hurricane season—which includes the Gulf of Mexico—officially runs from June 1 to Nov 30. Although hurricane damage can be catastrophic, unlike many other natural disasters, hurricanes develop gradually, giving you time to prepare before severe weather arrives.

Glenn Barnes, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NHDP-BC, FWEM, FAWM, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Nursing, and an expert in emergency preparedness and response, emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for hurricane season.

“Hurricanes don’t just pop up like tornadoes, so you actually have days of warning that a hurricane is approaching,” he said. “If you’re able to leave, the best thing is to remove yourself from the danger.”

Information and connection

Start by staying informed about the storm’s projected path and strength. Pay close attention to weather updates, and follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local media. If evacuation is advised, take that seriously.

If you opt to shelter in place, Barnes advises focusing on the essentials: air, water, food and shelter. Stay connected and informed by signing up for community alerts through systems like the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Communication networks and electricity could be disrupted, so create a paper copy of family members and other emergency contacts in case cell towers are down. Ensure everyone carries a copy, and post one in a central spot at home. Make sure your cell phone or radio is fully charged, and keep multiple backup power sources like portable chargers, extra batteries or a car charger ready.

Water, sanitation and hygiene

When preparing for a hurricane, plan for contaminated water. If your home’s water becomes compromised or unavailable, bottled or jugged water is safest. Store at least one gallon per person, per day, including water for pets. Smaller bottles or jugs are often easier to manage than five-gallon containers, which can weigh around 40 pounds.

If tap water is available but unsafe, Barnes recommends boiling it to remove harmful contaminants.

“If water is still flowing but unsafe to drink, the gold standard is boiling it at a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, which kills most harmful organisms,” Barnes said. “However, boiling requires a heat source, which may not be available if the power is out.”

A practical alternative is using a water filtration or purification system. Many affordable filters remove bacteria and spores but not viruses, so choose one based on your needs. Change the filters as instructed to maintain their effectiveness. Chemical purification methods, like iodine or chlorine tablets, are useful backups; just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and match the right chemical dose to the amount of water being treated.

Even if water is limited, hygiene remains important, Barnes said. Plan for basic needs like brushing your teeth, washing dishes and staying clean. Find ways to conserve and reuse water. For example, if the water is out and the toilet doesn’t work, you can save rinse water from washing dishes to pour into the toilet tank, as long it doesn’t contain solid debris that could clog the system.

“To conserve water, only flush when necessary, especially for solid waste,” Barnes said. “You can also consider alternatives like chemical toilets or camping toilets that use bags with kitty litter to manage waste.”

Food preparation and storage

Aim to have at least a three-day supply of food on hand. Ready-to-eat military or camping meals are convenient, but they can be expensive and may expire before you use them. A practical option is to stock up on canned or packaged foods you already enjoy, such as protein bars or canned ravioli, Barnes said. Buy a few extra cans, and rotate them as you use them, so you always have a fresh supply.

“Consider what it takes to prepare your food,” Barnes said. “Dehydrated meals require extra water, cookware and a heat source. Even canned food may require a can opener, a way to heat it, or at least a spoon.”

If the power goes out, food in your refrigerator is safe for about four hours, and food in your freezer can last up to two days if the doors stay closed. To minimize the need to open refrigerator and freezer doors, Barnes suggested photographing contents before the power goes out. This lets you check what you need without having to open doors, which would let cold air escape. If the power company predicts an outage may last several days, assume the food will spoil, and prioritize eating or using what’s most perishable first.

Air quality

Natural disasters often bring air quality issues, kicking up extra dust, mold, pathogens and other particles that might not normally be airborne or found as commonly in your usual environment.

“It’s a good idea to have multiple options, including a bandana, an N95 and a surgical mask,” Barnes said. “All these items are small enough to carry together in a small Ziploc bag for easy access.”

If an N95 is uncomfortable, use a surgical mask instead. Bandanas can serve as makeshift masks and can also be used to filter debris from water before sanitizing it.

Emergency go-bag

A go-bag is an emergency kit designed to support you for two or three days. Pack it like an overnight bag with survival essentials: water, food, shelter, clothing and first aid. Include at least one day’s worth of water along with purification tools like filters or tablets. Choose lightweight food options like energy bars or camping meals instead of heavy canned goods. Aim to keep the bag’s total weight under 20% of your body weight in case you need to walk with it.

Pack weather-appropriate clothing, a rain jacket and boots. Since staying cool without power or water can be difficult, wear loose, breathable clothing like cotton to avoid overheating. For added preparedness, Barnes recommends keeping separate go-bags at home and in your car.

“If you’re just starting out, don’t wait for the perfect kit,” Barnes said. “Inexpensive 72-hour emergency bags from stores like Walmart are a good starting point.”

Also include cash and a low-limit credit card, if possible. You can start with $20 and build up your stash of cash to a few hundred dollars over time. This ensures you can pay for gas, food or lodging in situations where electronic payments might not work due to power outages.

Medication

Keep all your prescriptions, vitamins and over-the-counter medications in one place. Include a printed list of your medications with dosages and instructions in case you need to share it with emergency responders.

When acquiring a first-aid kit, you can either assemble your own or buy one that fits your budget. If you purchase a pre-made kit, check the quality of its contents. Barnes recommends replacing flimsy bandages or dull scissors with more durable versions. Stock pain relievers, allergy medication and any other essentials you use regularly.

Barnes also recommends having a trauma kit on hand for more serious injuries and learning how to use it.

“Take a ‘Stop the Bleed’ course to learn how to manage life-threatening bleeding,” he said. “These are often free and can be found online. You should also consider first-aid and CPR classes, especially community-based ones if you’re not concerned with formal certification. Remember, it’s the knowledge that saves lives, not the certification card.”

Safety and shelter

If it’s safe to stay at home during the storm, take steps to protect yourself and your property. Cover windows and doors by using storm shutters or nailing plywood to the outside window frames to help prevent injuries from shattered glass. Additionally, clear your yard of any items that could be swept away or become projectiles in high winds, such as bikes, lawn furniture, trampolines, grills, propane tanks and building materials.

Taking these steps and assembling the right supplies can significantly increase your safety and peace of mind when severe weather strikes.

“According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, our basic priorities are air, food, water, shelter, medical care and safety,” Barnes said. “Always think about what’s the worst thing that can happen, and how can I prepare for that?”