Hurricane Checklist for Homeowners

By Muhammad Ishaq Hassan. Updated October 3, 2026. 2 min read.

Short answer: Before the season, review insurance and photograph your home. When a storm is coming, secure the outside, gather supplies and follow official instructions. Afterwards, stay safe, document damage and start drying quickly.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic. Preparing your home before, during and after a storm protects your family and makes recovery faster.

Before hurricane season

Review your homeowners policy and your hurricane or wind deductible
Consider flood insurance, since new policies usually have a 30 day waiting period
Photograph every room and your belongings for insurance
Trim trees and branches near the house
Clean gutters and check roof shingles
Know your evacuation zone and route

Illustration of a flooded basement with water covering the stairs and boxes floating — Basement flooding often follows heavy rain or a failed sump pump.

When a storm is coming

Follow instructions from local officials
Secure or bring in outdoor furniture, grills and decorations
Cover windows with shutters or plywood if you have them
Charge phones and power banks and fill the car with fuel
Gather water, food, medicine, flashlights and batteries
Turn the refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings

Illustration of a burst pipe spraying water into a living room with a flooded floor — Water damage from a burst pipe spreads fast across floors and into walls.

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After the storm

Wait until officials say it is safe to return
Never walk or drive through flood water
Stay away from downed power lines
Run generators outdoors, well away from windows and doors
Photograph all damage before cleaning up
Call your insurer and start drying wet areas quickly

Illustration of a brown water stain spreading across a ceiling with water dripping below — A ceiling stain usually means water is trapped above. Drips are a sign it is getting worse.

Supplies to have ready

Ready.gov recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, along with non perishable food, a first aid kit, medicines, a battery radio, flashlights, extra batteries, copies of important documents and cash.

Watch out for scams

After storms, some people go door to door offering repairs. Check any contractor’s license, insurance and local address, never pay large sums upfront, and never sign over your insurance claim without reading carefully.

Frequently asked questions about hurricane preparedness checklist

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

Wind damage is usually covered, often with a separate hurricane or wind deductible. Flooding needs separate flood insurance.

When should I buy flood insurance?

Well before the season, because new National Flood Insurance Program policies usually have a 30 day waiting period.

Is it safe to use a generator after a storm?

Only outdoors, away from windows and doors, because of carbon monoxide. Never run one inside a home or garage.

What should I do first after a hurricane?

Make sure everyone is safe, then document damage and call your insurer before starting repairs.

Read our storm and flood damage guide and our storm and hail roof damage page.

This guide covered hurricane preparedness checklist. For more background, see FEMA’s flood insurance pages, and if you need help, Sifixit can connect you with a local provider.

This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.

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