Posts Tagged ‘hurricane checklist’

Hurricane Tips 2026

Posted on: June 1st, 2026 by brent

The Ultimate Hurricane Tip List
-Cat Country Listeners

Preparation

  1. Prepare before a storm is announced. Buy supplies throughout hurricane season, not the day before landfall.
  2. Build a hurricane kit with:
    • Water
    • Non-perishable food
    • Flashlights
    • Batteries
    • Pet supplies
    • Medications
    • First aid items
    • Trash bags
    • Important documents
    • Cash
  3. Have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Many residents recommend planning for a week.
  4. Refill prescription medications before a storm approaches.
  5. Review your insurance coverage before hurricane season and consider flood insurance if needed.
  6. Sign up for local emergency alerts and weather notifications.
  7. Know your evacuation zone and flood zone before a storm develops.

Water & Food

  1. Store more water than the minimum recommendation if possible. Don’t forget water for pets.
  2. Fill your bathtub with water for flushing toilets and other non-drinking uses.
  3. Freeze water bottles and containers ahead of time. They’ll keep food cold longer and provide drinking water as they thaw.
  4. Freeze large containers of water to help preserve freezer contents during power outages.
  5. Don’t eat your hurricane snacks before the hurricane.
  6. Consider shelf-stable foods, MREs, canned goods, fruit cups, and other foods that don’t require refrigeration.

Fuel & Transportation

  1. Keep your vehicle’s gas tank topped off throughout hurricane season.
  2. Fill approved gas containers before shortages begin.
  3. Test generators before they’re needed and make sure you have enough fuel.

Power & Electronics

  1. Charge phones, tablets, battery packs, rechargeable lights, and other electronics before the storm arrives.
  2. Battery-powered fans can make a huge difference during extended power outages.
  3. Many cordless tool battery systems have compatible fans, lights, and USB chargers that can be useful after a storm.
  4. If air conditioning is a major concern, consider a small window unit that can be powered by a generator.

Home Preparation

  1. Trim trees and remove dead limbs before hurricane season.
  2. Secure outdoor furniture, grills, trash cans, and other loose objects.
  3. Ratchet strap or otherwise secure garbage cans if high winds are expected.
  4. Cut your grass before the storm. It makes debris cleanup easier afterward.
  5. Clean your home before the storm. Returning to a clean house after a disaster is one less thing to worry about.
  6. Complete your laundry before landfall. Clean clothes become valuable when power and water are unavailable.
  7. Wash dishes and empty sinks before the storm.
  8. Cool your home down before the storm and keep doors and windows closed if power is lost.

Generator Safety

  1. Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, or enclosed space.
  2. Keep generators at least 20 feet away from your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Pets

  1. Stock extra pet food, medications, and supplies.
  2. Change cat litter before the storm. Nobody wants a hot, dirty litter box during a power outage.

Evacuation

  1. If officials recommend evacuation, leave early.
  2. Waiting until the last minute can mean gridlocked roads, closed bridges, and dangerous travel conditions.
  3. Trust your instincts. If a storm feels serious, take it seriously.

After the Storm

  1. Be careful what you post on social media regarding damage if you expect to file an insurance claim.
  2. Have binoculars available for post-storm wildlife and bird watching opportunities.
  3. Keep chainsaws, pruning tools, and cleanup equipment ready for debris removal.

Community

  1. Know your neighbors before a storm arrives.
  2. Help each other. Hurricane recovery is often a community effort.

Gulf Coast Wisdom

  1. Don’t panic—but don’t ignore the forecast.
  2. Hurricanes are easier to prepare for than recover from.
  3. The best time to get ready is before anyone else starts buying water and bread.
  4. If you’re new to the Gulf Coast, listen to people who have been through multiple hurricanes.
  5. If Waffle House closes, pay attention.

Honorable Mentions (Listener Humor)

  • Make friends with the neighbor who owns a Generac.
  • Stock up on hurricane snacks.
  • Keep plenty of beer on hand.
  • Plan your hurricane party responsibly.
  • “Don’t worry until Waffle House closes.”
  • “If Waffle House closes, I’m leaving.”

This really boils down to five essentials:

Water. Fuel. Cash. Medications. A Plan.

Complete list of tips Here: Ultimate Hurricane Tip List

Hurricane Checklist

Posted on: May 21st, 2025 by brent

1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still be used for dialing 911. Charge external battery back ups.

2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill with water and store in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.

3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill washing machine and leave lid up to store water.

4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep near sinks for washing hands.

5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store in freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a back up water supply.

6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.

7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.

8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for first day without power.

9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.

10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.

11. Toss out any expiring food, clean cat litter boxes, empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.

12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.

13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.

14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor free environment. Store water filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.

15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.

16. Make sure you have cash on hand.

17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.

18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.

19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.

20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.

21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.

22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you’ll have to live in the mess you started with.

23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.

24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.

25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them. It’s not the time to risk clogging your toilet!

26. Run your dishwasher, don’t risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands.

27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don’t evacuate! You don’t need to store all water in the house. Remember to pack for pets as well.

28. Check on all family members, set up emergency back up plans, and check on elderly neighbors.

29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!

30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.

31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.

32. Get LED Lanterns… They last a LONG TIME and are super bright 

If you can, take a video of your house and contents….walk room to room–open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don’t forget anything)…I highly recommend!!!

I also heard you should freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top after it is frozen…keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful is you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup–you will know!!

Finally, anything that you want to try and preserve, but you can’t take with you—place it in a plastic bin and put in your dishwasher, lock the door—this should make it water tight in case of any water intrusion into your home. But of course, take all the important/irreplaceable items you can!!

Stay Safe everyone!