Hurricane Survival Guide: Before, During & After the Storm

The 72-Hour Hurricane Decision Window

Hurricanes are unique among disasters: you usually get 72 hours of warning. That window is a gift — but only if you've done pre-season prep. Waiting until the storm is 24 hours away means fighting empty gas stations and stripped shelves alongside every other unprepared person in your area.

Mandatory Evacuation vs. Sheltering-in-Place

This is the most important hurricane decision you'll make. Get it wrong and you may not get another chance.

Always Evacuate If:

• You are in a Zone A or Zone B evacuation zone
• You live in a mobile home or manufactured housing
• You live in a flood-prone area or within 1 mile of the coast
• Local officials issue a mandatory evacuation order
• The storm is Category 3 or higher and tracking toward you

Sheltering-in-Place May Be Appropriate If:

• You are in an inland, high-elevation location
• Your structure is solid concrete or reinforced construction
• The storm is Category 1 or 2 with limited flooding risk
• Evacuation routes are already gridlocked

Pre-Season Hurricane Supply List

Home Hardening for Hurricane Season

Windows and Doors

• Hurricane shutters — accordion, roll-down, or panel styles; install before season starts
• Plywood — 5/8" exterior plywood as a backup; pre-cut and label panels in the off-season
• Garage door bracing — garage doors are the most common failure point; brace kits are ~$50
• Entry door deadbolts — three-point locking systems significantly improve wind resistance

Roof

• Hurricane straps/clips connecting roof to wall framing (retrofit possible)
• Roof-to-wall connections are the #1 structural failure mode in hurricanes
• Have your roof inspected and any loose or damaged shingles replaced before season

During the Storm: Hour-by-Hour

When the Storm Arrives

1. 24 hours out: Final prep, fill bathtubs, charge all devices, fuel up vehicles
2. 12 hours out: Bring in all outdoor furniture and loose items; final shelter check
3. 6 hours out: Secure shutters, shelter in place or bug out — no more travel
4. During: Interior room (bathroom or closet away from windows), lowest flood-safe floor
5. The eye: Do NOT go outside during the eye. Calm is temporary. The back eyewall hits next.

After the Hurricane: The Dangerous Aftermath

Most hurricane deaths occur during cleanup, not the storm itself. The aftermath presents serious hazards that kill unprepared survivors.

Post-Storm Hazards

• Carbon monoxide — generators kill dozens every hurricane season; never run indoors or in a garage
• Downed power lines — assume every downed line is live; 10-foot clearance minimum
• Floodwater — may contain sewage, chemicals, snakes, and submerged debris; do not wade in it
• Mold — begins within 24–48 hours in wet structures; use N95 masks during cleanup
• Chainsaw injuries — #1 cause of post-hurricane trauma; wear full PPE, never cut alone
• Gas leaks — if you smell gas, do not flip any switches; exit and call the gas company

Generator Safety: The Rules That Save Lives

• Run only outdoors, at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent
• Install a battery-operated CO detector on every level of your home
• Never refuel a running generator
• Use a transfer switch — never backfeed into the utility grid (illegal and deadly to linemen)
• Store fuel with a fuel stabilizer; rotate every 6–12 months

Filing Your Insurance Claim Effectively

1. Document damage with photos and video before any cleanup
2. Keep all receipts for temporary repairs and accommodations
3. File promptly — most policies have time limits
4. Get your own independent adjuster if you dispute the insurer's estimate
5. Know your policy's ACV vs. replacement cost coverage before the storm