Hurricane season is officially here, and whether you’re a lifelong coastal resident or a newcomer to storm-prone areas, preparation is your best defense. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2025 has a 60% chance of being an above-normal season, so it’s critical that you’re ready whenever a storm hits.

These three tips will help you be proactive in protecting your home, your family, and your peace of mind throughout hurricane season.

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Create (or Update) Your Emergency Plan

If you don’t already have a family emergency plan in place, now is the perfect time to create one.

  • Establish an evacuation route: Choose a family meeting point so everyone knows where to go if you end up needing to leave your home.
  • Make a list of emergency contacts: Having a physical list available will be helpful if the power goes out and you’re trying to conserve your phone’s battery life.
  • Provide instructions for home safety: Ensure everyone knows how to shut off the gas, water, and electricity if needed.

Store your plan in a waterproof folder with your emergency kit.

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Build Your Hurricane Emergency Kit

A well-stocked kit can make a huge difference if you lose power or need to evacuate. A few items you’ll want to have on hand include:

  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
  • Non-perishable food
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • First aid supplies
  • Prescriptions and important documents sealed in waterproof bags

For a full list (and lots of other great information), be sure to download our free hurricane preparedness guide.

Stay Informed

Having access to reliable information is crucial before, during, and after a storm.

  • Sign up for alerts: Hearing directly from your city or county is the best way to get the most up-to-date information. You can also download an app like My Hurricane Tracker & Alerts, which includes interactive tracking maps and a 5-day outlook feature.
  • Follow the National Hurricane Center: Keep an eye on their social media pages, as well as your local weather stations.
  • Get a battery-powered weather radio: Having a radio that works if the power or internet goes out is crucial. We like this one from Amazon that provides over 60 different emergency alerts.

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You can’t control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are. Getting ready today gives you more time, more options, and a lot more peace of mind.