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Hurricane-season power prep
What Ready.gov says to do before, during, and after a hurricane, and where a battery or radio fits without replacing an evacuation order.
Published . Updated .
Ready.gov’s hurricane page, which it marked updated 16 October 2026, says historically storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Power gear does not move you out of surge. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials say to leave, Ready.gov says to leave immediately.
The same page lists season dates: Eastern Pacific, 15 May through 30 November; Atlantic and Central Pacific, 1 June through 30 November. Hurricanes are not only a beach problem. Ready.gov says rain, wind, water, and tornadoes can happen far inland from landfall.
Before the season
Know the evacuation zone and the route, and where the household would stay, including pets. Ready.gov says local emergency managers issue the recommendation for that storm. Identify who in the household needs extra time or help.
Have more than one way to get alerts. Ready.gov points to the FEMA app for National Weather Service alerts, local community alerts, and the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, which do not need a signup. A NOAA Weather Radio is the receiver that does not depend on a cell tower. Set it to the local transmitter before the storm, and, if the radio has SAME, to your county. The radio hub records what each cited model page actually says. It does not rank them.
Ready.gov’s “get tech ready” line is to keep the phone charged when a hurricane is in the forecast and to have a backup way to power electronics. That can be a charged power bank or a station you already know how to use. Charge it before the wind arrives. Do not plan to shop for one after the stores close. This site’s prices, where a manufacturer page showed one, are a snapshot from 7 November 2026. They are not a claim that the number is a discount, and retailer feeds are not connected.
Gather medication, disinfectant supplies, and pet supplies for several days. Ready.gov says you may not reach a store for days or weeks. Copy insurance and ID into a place you can open without the home computer. Bring in outside furniture and clear drains if that is your responsibility. In a rental, ask what the building expects you to do.
A fuel generator is a later decision, and only outdoors. See the carbon monoxide guide. Do not buy one from this page. There is no generator spec table yet.
During the storm
Pay attention to alerts. For high wind, Ready.gov says to take refuge in a designated shelter or an interior room. If flood water traps you, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic, where rising water can trap you.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood water. Ready.gov’s line is “Turn around. Don’t drown.” It says six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
After the storm
Follow local instructions. Ready.gov says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent shock. Do not wade in flood water. It can carry pathogens, debris, chemicals, waste, wildlife, and current from downed or underground lines.
People with asthma, other lung conditions, or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold that can be seen or smelled, even if they are not allergic to mold, according to Ready.gov. Children should not do disaster cleanup. Wear protection and work with someone else if you are clearing debris. Save phone calls for emergencies. Text if the voice network is jammed.
Photograph damage for the insurer. Ready.gov points disaster survivors to FEMA.gov, disasterassistance.gov, and the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance questions. That number is FEMA’s, printed on Ready.gov. It is not a BlackoutSmart contact.
Food that warmed or got wet is covered in the fridge guide, which follows FDA. A power station you run after the storm still has to match the appliance. The calculator will not tell you the grid is back, and it will not tell you the food is safe.
Sources
- Ready.gov, Hurricanes, page marked updated 16 October 2026, retrieved 7 November 2026.
- Ready.gov, Emergency alerts, retrieved 7 November 2026.
- Ready.gov, Power outages, retrieved 7 November 2026.