Hurricane Prep Checklist 2026

The 2026 Atlantic season at a glance

Per NOAA's Climate Prediction Center outlook, the 2026 season is expected to be below-normal: roughly 8–14 named storms, of which 3–6 become hurricanes and 1–3 reach major (Category 3+) strength, with El Niño expected to suppress activity. The season officially runs June 1 to November 30, and activity climbs to a climatological peak around September 10 — about two-thirds of it falls between August 20 and October 10.

Outlook figures reflect NOAA's pre-season forecast; NOAA issues an updated outlook in early August. Last reviewed 5 July 2026 — check the CPC page for current numbers.

• Find your evacuation zone. Look up your address on your county/state emergency-management site. Surge zones are about flooding, not wind.
• Pick a plan. Where would you go, which route, and who's the out-of-town contact everyone checks in with?
• Photograph your home and belongings. A quick video walk-through is gold for an insurance claim later.
• Turn on alerts. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone and sign up for local notifications.

• Water — one gallon per person per day, 3+ days (don't forget pets).
• Non-perishable food — 3–7 days, plus a manual can opener.
• Power — a portable power station or generator, with fuel. Run fuel generators outdoors only, far from windows.
• Light — flashlights and lanterns, plus spare batteries (candles are a fire risk).
• NOAA weather radio — battery or hand-crank, so you get alerts when cell service drops.
• First-aid kit + 7 days of medication — refill prescriptions before the storm.
• Phone chargers + power banks — charged in advance; a car charger as backup.
• Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers fail in outages.
• Documents in a waterproof bag — IDs, insurance policies, deeds, medication list.
• Hygiene & sanitation — plus baby, elderly, and pet supplies as needed.

• Fill the gas tank and charge every device while power is still on.
• Secure or bring in outdoor furniture, grills, bins, and anything that can become a projectile.
• Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood; tape does not stop breakage.
• Clear drains and gutters, and know where your water shut-off is.
• Sandbags or flood barriers if you're in a flood-prone spot; test your sump pump.
• Freeze water jugs — they keep the fridge cold longer and become drinking water.

• Go early. Roads jam and shelters fill; leaving before the order is better than after.
• Take the kit, your documents, medications, and your pets. Many shelters now accept pets — confirm which.
• Never drive through floodwater. "Turn around, don't drown" — most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

• Stay away from downed power lines and standing water — it can be electrified or contaminated.
• Carbon-monoxide safety. Keep generators and grills outside and well away from windows; CO is invisible and deadly.
• Document damage with photos before you clean up, and contact your insurer early.
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and anyone medically vulnerable.

When should I start preparing?

Before a storm is ever named — ideally at the start of the season. Once a watch is posted, stores sell out of water, batteries, and fuel within hours.

What's the one thing people forget?

Cash, a manual can opener, prescription refills, and copies of key documents. All four are easy to overlook and painful to be without.

Where do I find my evacuation zone?

Search your county or state emergency-management site for "evacuation zone lookup" and enter your address. Zones are based on storm-surge flooding, so they can differ block to block.