How to Prepare for Hurricane Season: Tips from Emergency Management Officials
HOUSTON (AP) — Hurricane season can be stressful for anyone near the potential path of a storm, as powerful winds and heavy rain can cause widespread damage, cut power for days or weeks, and otherwise upend people’s lives. However, this stress can be reduced if people have a plan for preparing their homes and deciding whether to stay and ride out a storm or evacuate, according to emergency management officials.
Preparation, which includes putting together a kit of essential supplies, should begin long before a storm is approaching.
“Don’t be complacent, take preparedness seriously, spend the time now to do the little things that will make a big difference for you and your loved ones when something does happen,” said Brian Mason, director of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management.
How to Prepare a Home for a Storm
Anything in the backyard that isn’t tied down, such as furniture and barbecue grills, should be secured or brought inside to prevent it from becoming a projectile that can break windows, said Shawn Schulze, regional CEO for the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region.
If possible, board up windows and place important documents such as passports and birth certificates in a waterproof case or even a Ziploc bag. This will prevent damage and make documents easier to locate in case of a quick evacuation, Schulze added.
Mason recommends that homeowners get their roofs inspected before each hurricane season and know how to turn off their utilities in case of damage.
Well before a storm is brewing, people should trim or remove dead or weakened tree limbs and shrubs that hang over their homes. This can lessen potential damage from high winds, said Mistie Hinote, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Hinote also urged people to review their insurance coverage and to make a home inventory of their possessions by taking photos — a helpful step if an insurance claim needs to be made after a storm.
“It is a lot of information and a lot of pre-storm steps but a little at a time,” Hinote said.
Have an Emergency Kit
Every family should have an emergency kit with supplies to meet basic needs. For those who stay, the kit should include at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person per day, with enough for up to seven days, Mason said. One way to have enough water is to fill a bathtub ahead of time.
People should also have enough nonperishable food for up to seven days, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles, medications, portable power banks or other power sources, and a battery-operated radio.
Pets should be included in preparations, including bringing them inside ahead of a storm and having enough food, water, and necessary medications for up to seven days, Mason emphasized.
Parents should consider including something to entertain their children, such as games or coloring books, since power outages after a hurricane often mean no internet or cellular service.
“There’s nothing more challenging for a family than kids bouncing off the walls because they’re bored,” Mason said. “If you decide to stay, you need to make sure that you can be self-sufficient for days to weeks, depending on how long it takes for power to be restored.”
Have an Evacuation Plan
If people decide to evacuate ahead of a storm, they should prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to last the trip to their destination, officials advised.
Before a storm arrives, know your evacuation routes and have backup routes in case roads become congested, Mason said. Officials also recommend fueling vehicles if a storm is approaching. For those with electric vehicles, ensure your route includes charging stations along the way.
Schulze acknowledged that it is natural to feel afraid when a hurricane is coming, but having a plan in place and letting loved ones know you’re prepared will go a long way toward easing fears.
“Think about what the worst could be and prepare for that and you’ll always be ready for what comes your way,” Schulze said.
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https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/when-a-hurricane-threatens-these-tips-can-help-you-prepare/