The biggest mistake people make with hurricane season is treating it like a single event to react to. A good hurricane prep checklist isn't a to-do list you pull out when the storm is already named — it's a three-phase plan you work through before things get urgent. Here's exactly what to do 30 days, one week, and 24 hours out.
Why a Hurricane Prep Timeline Actually Matters
If you've ever watched the news the day before a major storm makes landfall, you've seen the footage: empty store shelves, gas stations with bags on the pump handles, lines around the block. That's what last-minute preparation looks like, and by that point, you've already lost the window to prepare well.
The people who stay calm when a storm is bearing down are almost always the people who started getting ready weeks earlier — not because they're extreme about it, but because they worked the plan in stages, when there was still time to actually find what they needed.
Start with building a 72-hour emergency kit before working through this checklist — it covers your foundational supplies and is the starting point for any serious storm prep.
30 Days Out: Before Hurricane Season (or When a Storm Enters the Gulf)
Think of this phase as your annual reset. June 1 is the official start of Atlantic hurricane season — that's your 30-day trigger.
Review and Restock Your 72-Hour Kit
Check expiration dates on food and medications. Replace anything that's expired or running low.
Stock Two Weeks of Water
The standard recommendation is one gallon per person per day. For a family of three, that's 42 gallons for a two-week supply. A gravity water filter can stretch your supply further and handle tap water that may become unreliable post-storm.
Fill Prescriptions for a 30-Day Supply
Call your pharmacy well before a storm is on the radar. Insurance often limits early refills, but most will accommodate with enough notice. Pharmacies run out and close during hurricanes — don't get caught without critical medications.
Review Your Insurance and Document Valuables
Pull out your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy and read the hurricane-specific sections. Know your deductible. Then walk through your home with your phone and record a video of every room and major item. Upload it to cloud storage so it's accessible even if your devices are damaged.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Every county publishes an official evacuation zone map. Look yours up now, not when a storm is 48 hours out. Know whether you're in Zone A (highest flood risk), Zone B, or further out — and know exactly where you'd go if you needed to leave.
Test Your Weather Radio
A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio is one of the most reliable ways to get storm information when power is out and cell towers are overwhelmed. The Midland WR400 is a solid option — test it now to make sure it's working. Midland WR400 on Amazon ↗
Trim Trees and Secure Outdoor Furniture (Property Owners)
Loose branches and patio furniture become projectiles in high winds. Trim any dead or overhanging limbs, and have a plan for where chairs, grills, and planters will go when a storm approaches.
1 Week Out: The Storm Is Being Watched Closely
At this point, a named storm is in the forecast. This is your window to act — before the rush.
Fill Your Gas Tank
This is the single most important thing to do early. Gas stations in hurricane zones run out within 24–36 hours of a serious storm threat. Fill up the moment a storm looks like it has a realistic chance of affecting your area.
Stock a Two-Week Food Supply
Focus on foods that require no cooking: peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, canned fish, nuts, dried fruit, shelf-stable meals. Have a manual can opener if you use canned goods. Stock comfort foods too — it genuinely helps morale during a long power outage.
Get Cash in Small Bills
ATMs go offline. Card readers go offline. Have $100–200 in small bills on hand. Think about what you'd buy at a cash-only convenience store after a storm and plan accordingly.
Back Up Important Documents
Scan or photograph your ID, passport, insurance documents, vehicle titles, and any medical records. Save them to a cloud account and a waterproof USB drive. If you have to evacuate, you want those documents in a bag that can survive water exposure. Waterproof Document Bag on Amazon ↗
Get a WaterBOB or Large Water Containers
A WaterBOB is a heavy-duty plastic bladder that sits in your bathtub and holds up to 100 gallons of clean tap water. This one step can solve your water needs for weeks. Pick one up now before they sell out — it typically disappears from shelves as soon as a storm is named. You'll fill it in the 24-hour phase. WaterBOB on Amazon ↗
Plan for Your Pets
Make sure you have at least two weeks of pet food, a carrier, leash, any medications, and a copy of vaccination records. If you're evacuating, know in advance which shelters or hotels in your route accept pets — many don't.
Know Your Building's Evacuation Policy
Renters: check whether your apartment building or condo management has specific evacuation protocols. Some buildings in surge zones will require you to leave. Don't assume you can shelter in place until you've confirmed it.
24 Hours Out: The Storm Is Coming
You should not be making major supply runs at this point. Everything here is about execution — securing what you have and making sure your household is ready.
Charge Every Device Fully
Phones, tablets, laptops, portable battery banks, portable power stations — everything gets plugged in and charged. Download any offline maps or entertainment you might need.
Fill the WaterBOB and Bathtub
Fill your WaterBOB now. If you don't have one, fill your bathtubs as a backup. This water is for flushing, hygiene, or drinking in a pinch (filter or boil before drinking if possible).
Bring Everything Inside
Move all outdoor furniture, potted plants, decorations, grills, trash cans, and any loose items inside or into a garage. Everything that isn't bolted down is a potential projectile.
Prepare No-Cook Meals for Three Days
Set up a small station with ready-to-eat food so you're not digging through cabinets in the dark. Think: peanut butter and crackers, fruit pouches, trail mix, protein bars, instant oatmeal you can eat cold.
Text Your Plan to Family
Let someone outside your immediate area know: your address, your plan (sheltering in place or evacuating), and where you're headed if evacuating. A simple text now can prevent a lot of stress later.
If you're in a Zone A or coastal flood area, don't wait for an official mandatory order. By the time it's issued, roads are already congested. Leave early, or have a very clear reason to stay and accept the risk.
Post-Hurricane: Before You Go Back In
| Task | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wait for official all-clear | Don't re-enter until local authorities confirm it's safe |
| Check for structural damage from outside | Look for roof damage, leaning walls, foundation cracks before entering |
| Watch for downed power lines | Treat every line as live — stay away and report |
| Don't run generators indoors | Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of post-storm death |
| Check for gas leaks | If you smell gas, don't turn on lights — leave and call the utility company |
| Throw out unsafe food | Anything above 40°F for more than 4 hours should be discarded |
| Document all damage before cleanup | Take photos and video before touching anything — your insurance adjuster will need it |
| Contact your insurance company | Report damage as soon as possible to begin the claims process |
The Full Hurricane Prep Checklist
| Phase | Task |
|---|---|
| 30 Days Out | Review and restock 72-hour kit |
| Stock 2 weeks of water (1 gal/person/day) | |
| Fill prescriptions (30-day supply) | |
| Review insurance; photograph valuables | |
| Look up your evacuation zone | |
| Test NOAA weather radio | |
| Trim trees; plan for outdoor furniture | |
| 1 Week Out | Fill car with gas |
| Stock 2-week food supply (no-cook options) | |
| Get $100–200 cash in small bills | |
| Back up documents digitally + waterproof bag | |
| Buy/locate WaterBOB or large containers | |
| Plan for pets (food, carrier, vet records) | |
| Confirm building/area evacuation policy | |
| 24 Hours Out | Charge all devices fully |
| Fill WaterBOB and/or bathtub | |
| Move all outdoor items inside | |
| Set up no-cook meals for 3 days | |
| Text your plan to an out-of-area contact | |
| Leave early if you're in a flood zone | |
| After the Storm | Wait for all-clear before re-entering |
| Check for structural damage from outside | |
| Avoid downed power lines | |
| Document all damage before cleanup | |
| Discard food above 40°F for 4+ hours | |
| File insurance claim |
You don't have to do this all at once, and you don't have to spend a fortune. Start at the 30-day phase, work through it over a few weeks, and by the time hurricane season gets active, you'll be in a genuinely calm place — not scrambling at a half-empty store.