Be Red Cross Ready
Hurricane
Preparedness Checklist
Hurricanes and tropical storms are rotating storms that form over warm waters. These storms bring
high winds, heavy rain, storm surge (rise in water level), flooding and tornadoes. Climate change has
caused hurricanes to strengthen faster and bring heavier rainfall. The most common cause of death
during a hurricane is from drowning. These storms are dangerous and can damage places far inland.
But we can take action to prepare. Prepare now to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home.
What to Do: Before
Make Plans to Stay Safe
Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding.
Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately
• You may have to leave your home quickly and go to a safe place.
• Know where you will go, how you will get there and where you
will stay.
• Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use
public transportation.
• Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles
(RVs) are not safe in high wind events. Plan ahead by preparing
to evacuate to a safe location.
Plan to shelter safely
• Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone and internet
for a long time.
• Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The
next best protection is a small room with no windows on the
lowest level of a sturdy building that is not likely to flood.
• Be aware that flooding can happen quickly. Have a plan to
evacuate fast before floodwaters reach you.
• Create a personal support team of people you may assist and
who can assist you.
Plan to stay connected
• Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
• Plan to monitor local weather and news.
• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
• Have a battery-powered radio during a power outage.
• Understand the types of alerts that you may receive and have
a plan to respond when you receive them.
- A WATCH means Be Prepared!
- A WARNING means Take Action!
- Alerts you may receive include: Hurricane Watch & Warning,
T
ropical Storm Watch & Warning, Extreme Wind Warning,
Storm Surge Watch & Warning, Flash Flood Watch & Warning,
Flood Watch & Warning.
Learn emergency skills
• Learn First Aid and CPR.
• Be ready to live without power. Utilities may be offline. Be ready
to live without power, gas and water. Plan for your electrical
needs, including cell phones and medical equipment. Talk to
your doctor. Plan for backup power.
Gather emergency supplies
Gather food, water and medicine. Stores and pharmacies might be
closed. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.
• Go-Kit: at least three days of supplies that you can carry with
you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices
(cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
• Stay-at-Home Kit: at least two weeks of supplies.
• Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container
and medical supplies or equipment.
• Keep personal, financial and medical records safe and easy to
access (hard copies or securely backed up). Consider keeping a list
of your medications and dosages on a small card to carry with you.
Protect Your Home
Wind
• Secure or bring inside outdoor items, such as lawn furniture and
trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as
gas grills and propane tanks.
• Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home.
• Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or sheeting.
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
Protect Your Home
Flood
• Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts.
• Stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.
• Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup.
• Consider elevating the heating system, water heater and
electric panel.
• Review insurance policies with your agency.
What to Do: During
If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go
right away.
• Bring your Go-Kit.
• Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts
because they may be blocked.
• Check with local officials for shelter locations. Download the
Red Cross Emergency App to find shelters near you.
Determine your best protection for high
winds and flooding.
• Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room
for high winds.
• Stay away from glass windows and doors.
• Move to higher ground before flooding begins.
Never walk, swim, or drive through oodwater.
Remember, Turn Around! Don’t Drown!
What to Do: After
Stay Safe
• Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
They can electrocute you.
• Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage,
bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill.
• If power is out, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns to
reduce fire risk.
• Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning
devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage,
tent or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon
monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start
to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.
Stay Healthy
• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm.
• Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about
refrigerated medicines.
• Hurricanes and flooding can make drinking water unsafe.
Monitor your local health department for information about
drinking water safety.
Cleanup Safely
• Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves,
goggles and boots.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
• When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner.
• Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment,
such as chainsaws.
• Heart attacks are a leading cause of deaths after a hurricane.
Be mindful of overworking.
• Cleaning up is a big job. Take breaks and take care of yourself.
Take Care of Yourself
• It’s normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress or anxiety.
• Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal
with stress.
• You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you
need to talk to someone. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
For more information, visit redcross.org/prepare Download the Emergency App
Copyright © 2021 by the American National Red Cross. Version 1. Published January 1, 2022.
Hazard and Protective Actions Icons are used courtesy of FEMA and are available at community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/protective-actions-icons
