Hurricane Preparation: Essential Steps to Weather the Storm

Wed Oct 29 2025 00:58:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As hurricane season approaches, learn how to prepare your home, create an emergency kit, and establish an evacuation plan to safeguard your family and belongings.

Hurricane season can bring stress and uncertainty, but with proper preparation, individuals and families can minimize risks. Creating an emergency plan, securing your home, and making a comprehensive emergency kit are vital steps. Community experts emphasize the importance of preparedness, from inspecting roofs to ensuring utilities can be turned off, among other strategies for safety during hurricanes.

Hurricane Anthony is stirring unease as it approaches coastal regions, prompting residents to act swiftly in preparing their homes and ensuring safety measures are in place. Emergency management officials stress that planning ahead can significantly reduce anxiety and risk.

Don’t wait until the last minute; take preparedness seriously and invest time now to do the small things that could help you and your loved ones immensely during an emergency, urges emergency management director Brian Mason.

Securing the Home

Residents should secure outdoor items capable of becoming hazardous projectiles by bringing them inside or properly fastening them down. Shawn Schulze of the American Red Cross highlights that even minor precautions can help avoid severe damage.

Additionally, it is recommended to board up windows, carefully organize important documents in waterproof containers, and pre-pack vital emergency items.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Every household should assemble an emergency kit with necessities to last at least seven days. Included should be one gallon of water per person per day and ample nonperishable food, as well as flashlights, batteries, medications, and a battery-operated radio. Pets also need to be part of the planning process with food, water, and necessary care items packed ahead of the storm.

For families anticipating potential power outages, it’s important to have engaging activities ready to keep children entertained during the wait for restoration services.

Developing an Evacuation Strategy

If evacuation becomes necessary, knowing the primary and alternate routes is key. Officials encourage people to fuel their vehicles ahead of time and verify routes for electric vehicle charging stations. If personal transport is impossible, having a list of nearby shelters can be practical for quick decision-making.

As official recommendations suggest, take a proactive approach by removing any trees or shrubs that might pose a risk to your home during high winds and reviewing your insurance coverage.

The more you prepare today, the less you’ll worry when the storm approaches, Schulze concludes. Prioritize safety and ensure that all measures are in place well ahead of the hurricane's landfall.