Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 in the Atlantic basin, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October. For homeowners along the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, and inland areas vulnerable to tropical remnants, preparation is not optional—it is the single most important factor in whether your home sustains manageable damage or catastrophic loss.

The biggest mistake homeowners make is waiting until a named storm is in the forecast to begin preparation. At that point, hardware stores are stripped of plywood, sandbags are unavailable, and contractors are booked. This guide gives you a timeline-based checklist so that when a storm forms, you are already ready.

Months Before Hurricane Season (January–May)

Review and Update Your Insurance

Flood insurance through the NFIP has a mandatory 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. If you purchase a policy in June after a named storm is already in the Gulf, you’ll be uninsured for that storm. Buy or review flood insurance by early spring. Our Flood Insurance Comparison Guide explains the difference between NFIP and private flood options.

Conduct a Home Vulnerability Assessment

Walk your home with a critical eye or hire a professional inspector to identify:

  • Roof condition: missing shingles, soft spots, flashing failures, ridge cap wear
  • Window and door frame integrity
  • Garage door bracing (garage doors are a leading cause of structural failure in hurricanes)
  • Foundation vents and crawl space sealing
  • Trees and large branches that could fall on the structure

Our Home Flood Vulnerability Inspection Guide provides a complete room-by-room checklist.

Invest in Structural Improvements

Off-season is the time to tackle major improvements when contractors have availability and prices are lower:

  • Hurricane straps / roof-to-wall connectors: Metal connectors that tie your roof framing to wall framing dramatically reduce roof uplift failure. Retrofitting typically costs $800–2,500.
  • Impact-resistant windows and doors: Impact glass is rated to withstand Category 4 and 5 debris. Cost runs $600–1,200 per window installed.
  • Garage door hurricane bracing kits: Many existing garage doors can be retrofitted with vertical braces for $150–400.
  • Flood vents: FEMA-approved engineered flood vents allow water to flow through crawl space enclosures rather than building pressure against foundation walls.

Early Hurricane Season (June–July)

Assemble Your Storm Supply Kit

Supply chains get strained during storm season. Assemble your kit early and store it in a known location:

  • 7-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day) in sealed containers
  • 7-day non-perishable food supply (canned goods, protein bars, shelf-stable meals)
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio (NOAA All-Hazards)
  • Flashlights and spare batteries
  • First-aid kit stocked and checked
  • 72-hour supply of all prescription medications
  • Cash: ATMs and card readers go offline when power fails
  • Battery power banks for phones and devices
  • Waterproof container for important documents

See our Flood Emergency Kit Checklist for a printable version.

Pre-Purchase Storm Protection Materials

Buy plywood, hurricane panels, flood barrier tubes, and empty sandbags before the season peaks. Store them in your garage or shed so they’re ready to deploy. Plywood should be pre-cut and labeled by window.

Test Your Sump Pump and Generator

Test your sump pump by filling the pit with water and confirming it activates. Install a battery backup sump pump if you don’t have one—power outages during storms are near-universal in hurricane-affected areas. Review our sump pump guide for testing and replacement guidance.

If you own a generator, run it for 30 minutes under load, change the oil, and confirm you have adequate fuel storage.

When a Storm Is Named and Projected Toward Your Area (5–7 Days Out)

Monitor the Forecast Closely

Use the National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) as your primary forecast source. Focus on the cone of uncertainty and storm surge maps—surge is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. NOAA’s storm surge flood maps show projected inundation levels by storm intensity and track.

Begin Mobilizing Supplies and Preparations

  • Fill all vehicles with gasoline
  • Withdraw cash
  • Refill prescriptions
  • Charge all devices and power banks
  • Stock your refrigerator and freezer
  • Fill bathtubs with water for sanitation use (a WaterBOB liner holds 100 gallons cleanly)

48–72 Hours Before Landfall

Board or Shutter Windows

Install hurricane panels, plywood (minimum ⅝” CDX), or close impact shutters on all windows and glass doors. Work from the top floor down. Double-check that all exterior doors are locked and deadbolted.

Deploy Flood Defenses

If your home is in a storm surge or flood zone:

  • Place flood barriers or sandbags at all entry points—doors, garage doors, window wells, and basement access points
  • Deploy door flood shields if you own them; our Flood Barrier Buying Guide reviews the top options
  • Seal any floor drains in your basement with a standpipe plug or backwater valve to prevent sewage backup

Move Valuables and Prepare the Interior

  • Move furniture, electronics, and valuables to upper floors
  • Move vehicles to a parking garage or high ground
  • Turn off propane tanks and move them to higher ground
  • Anchor or bring inside outdoor furniture, grills, planters, and decorations

Know Your Evacuation Decision

If you are in an evacuation zone and officials issue a mandatory evacuation, leave early. Traffic evacuation times can stretch a 4-hour drive into 14+ hours if you wait. Identify your shelter destination and route in advance. Review our Family Flood Evacuation Plan guide for a complete framework.

Post-Storm: What to Do Before Re-Entering

  • Wait for official all-clear before returning
  • Watch for downed power lines—treat all downed lines as live
  • Photograph all exterior and interior damage before any cleanup for insurance documentation
  • Do not run generators indoors or in attached garages; carbon monoxide poisoning kills dozens after every major hurricane
  • Wear rubber boots in flooded areas; floodwater contains sewage, chemicals, and biological hazards

Review our Post-Flood Cleanup Guide for a safe re-entry and remediation process, and use our Free Flood Risk Assessment to understand your specific property’s vulnerabilities before next season.