Disasters · 2–3 days · Intermediate
Hurricane Prep: The 72 Hours Before Landfall
Know your zone, store water (bathtub included), protect windows and decide early whether you are leaving.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Run generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide kills people every hurricane season.
- 01
Know your evacuation zone
Look up your zone now. Storm surge — not wind — causes most hurricane deaths. If officials order your zone out, go.
- 02
Store drinking water
Plan at least 1 gallon per person per day for several days (two weeks if you can). Fill clean food-grade containers with tap water before the storm.
- 03
Fill the bathtub
Scrub the tub, then fill it. Use this water for flushing toilets (pour a bucket into the bowl), washing and cleaning. Don't drink it unless you treat it first — tubs aren't food-grade. Keep small children away from a full tub.
- 04
Protect the house
Cover windows with shutters or plywood (tape does nothing). Bring in or tie down outdoor furniture, clear gutters, and turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest settings.
- 05
Fuel, cash and charge
Fill vehicle tanks, get small bills, charge phones and power banks, and refill prescriptions. Gas stations and ATMs may be down for days.