How to Survive a Hurricane

Evacuate as Directed

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, thousands defied evacuation orders. Some paid a heavy price. More than 1,700 people lost their lives in the storm.

If you are directed to evacuate your home by local authorities, follow their directions to do so. Also consider evacuating if you live in a mobile home, high-rise building or do not feel safe with the storm approaching. 

Secure Your Property

Hurricane winds can reach speeds of more than 100 mph. They can shatter windows and send debris flying, threatening anyone nearby. Bring in any furniture or objects that could be blown around outdoors.

To protect yourself, purchase storm shutters made of steel or aluminum; these offer the strongest protection for your windows. If you do not have storm shutters, board up your windows with 5/8-inch plywood.

Do not tape your windows; doing so does not prevent them from breaking.

You can use straps to fasten your home's roof to the structure for added protection from wind damage. Wind passing underneath a roof can push it upward, while wind moving over the roof can simultaneously pull it upward. The result? The lifting and shearing off of a roof. This tends to happen to less sturdy structures, such as mobile homes.

Clear Your Gutters

Make sure your house's gutters and drainspouts are clear of debris. Gutters control the water around your home. When gutters are obstructed, water can puddle around the edge of the roof and house foundation, leading to roof leaks and basement flooding. This excess water can cause foundation cracks and rotting wood too. 

Also remember to trim nearby trees and shrubs so they do not snap and create flying debris.

Food and Water

Often, flooding and tidal surges from hurricanes can contaminate the local water supply. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, for example, some residents in the area couldn't drink the tap water for weeks.

Be prepared for such an event and stock enough food and water to last you and your family a minimum of three days. Buy non-perishable food items like canned goods, peanut butter and granola bars.

Keep 1 gallon of water on hand per person, per day, to last at least three days. So a family of five should store 15 gallons of water.

Listen to the Radio

Keep a battery-powered radio on hand, as well as extra batteries. A radio can bring news about the storm's path, evacuation notices and post-storm bulletins.

Close Window Shades and Blinds

Keep your window coverings closed and stay away from windows in case the glass shatters. Flying shards of glass can cause serious injury. 

Seek Refuge in Your Home

If you have a reinforced safe room, go there during the storm. If not, seek shelter in interior, windowless rooms or spaces, such as a closet or bathroom.

Don't seek shelter below ground in a basement if you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area.

First Aid Kit

Keep a first aid kit on hand. FEMA recommends you keep the following items in your first aid kit: bandages, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, safety pins and soap.

You can purchase these items and create your own kit, or buy a pre-made kit. 

Battery-Powered Tools

In the event that you lose power, you should have tools on hand that don't require electricity. You'll want flashlights, extra batteries, a wrench to turn off your home's gas or water supply, whistles to alert authorities, a signal flare, fire extinguishers, a compass, an ax and a tarp or sheets of plastic. 

In advance of any storm, be sure that you know how to turn off your gas and water supply. 

Personal Care Items

You should be prepared with a selection of personal care items, such as toilet paper, soap, feminine hygiene products, cleansing wipes, and garbage bags with ties and a plastic bucket with lid (which could be used as a makeshift toilet). 

Prescriptions and Additional Items

Depending on your family's needs, keep on hand all necessary prescription drugs, baby food, diapers, pet food and kitty litter. 

Documents

Make copies of important documents, such as IDs, drivers' licenses, credit-card numbers, birth certificates, marriage certificates and bank-account information.

Place them in a safe, water-proof place where you can easily find them if you need to evacuate.

Have a Generator on Hand

A generator can supply you with energy in the event of a blackout. Prices from $400 to $15,000, depending on the size and wattage. Be sure you know how to use it in advance of a storm and store it in a safe, dry place. 

Generator sales tend to spike in the aftermath of a storm when electricity goes out. After Hurricane Irene hit in 2011, for example, one Baltimore electrical contractor said calls to his business inquiring about generator purchases rose from around six per week to 40 a day.

Fill Your Gas Tank

Keep your vehicle's gas tank full during hurricane season. During an evacuation, gas stations often become inundated with customers and long lines form at the pumps.

Also, stations sometimes run out of gas or become inoperable during a storm. Being prepared with a full tank means you can evacuate quickly if necessary. 

Extra Clothing

Have at least one change of clothes on hand for each member of your family, including a compact rain jacket, waterproof pants and wading boots.