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.
