title: Printable hurricane checklists description: Every key hurricane checklist in one place: season prep, home prep, supply kit, go bag, pet kit, last 24 hours, and first steps after the storm.
Printable hurricane checklists¶
Emergency numbers differ by country
Numbers, agencies, and aid programs are different in every country. Your local page has the emergency numbers, disaster office, and shelter information for where you are. Find your local page.
Print this page or check items off on your phone. It gathers the hurricane checklists from across the site so you can work through them in one place, even with no internet.
Each list stands on its own. Do the start of season list once a year, the supply lists before the first storm threatens, and the last two lists when a storm is on the way.
Save a copy now
Print this page and keep it with your supplies. If you would rather use your phone, see offline use to install the site as an app.
Start of season checklist¶
Do these once, at the start of hurricane season. Full guide: hurricane season.
- Look up your evacuation zone and write it down
- Decide where you would go if told to evacuate
- Write a family plan and share it with everyone in the household
- Pick an out of area contact everyone can check in with
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone
- Review your insurance policies and check what is covered
- Ask about flood insurance if you do not have it
- Photograph every room and any valuable items
- Scan important documents and save them somewhere secure
- Buy or test a battery or hand crank radio
- Check your supply kit and replace anything expired
- Trim trees and remove dead branches near the house
- Learn how to shut off water, gas, and electricity
- Talk with older relatives and neighbors about their plans
Home prep checklist¶
Do these before a storm threatens, not the day before. Full guide: prepare your home.
- Check that shutters or plywood fit every window and door
- Store shutter hardware where you can find it fast
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Check the roof for loose shingles or flashing
- Reinforce or brace the garage door if it is weak
- Secure or store anything loose in the yard
- Move outdoor furniture, grills, and trash cans inside
- Know where your sandbags come from and how many you need
- Make sure sump pumps and backup batteries work
- Test the generator and read the generator safety page
- Buy fuel containers and learn where to store fuel safely
- Anchor propane tanks
- Locate the main water shutoff and label it
- Check that carbon monoxide and smoke alarms work
Seven day supply kit¶
Aim for enough to last a week without power, water, or stores. Full guide: hurricane supply list.
Water and food¶
- 4 liters (1 gallon) of water per person per day, seven days
- Extra water for pets, cooking, and washing
- Food that does not need cooking or refrigeration
- Manual can opener
- Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
- Baby formula and food if needed
- Coolers and ice or frozen water bottles
Power and light¶
- Flashlights for every person
- Headlamp for hands free work
- Extra batteries in every size you use
- Battery or hand crank radio
- Charged power banks for phones
- Car charger for phones
- Solar charger if you have one
- Battery powered lanterns instead of candles
Medical and hygiene¶
- First aid kit
- Prescription medicines, at least a week's supply
- Over the counter pain relievers and stomach remedies
- Glasses, contacts, and solution
- Hearing aid batteries or other device supplies
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
- Toilet paper, trash bags, and ties
- Menstrual products
- Diapers and wipes if needed
- Face masks and gloves for cleanup
Tools and documents¶
- Multi tool or basic tool kit
- Duct tape and plastic sheeting
- Tarp and rope
- Fire extinguisher
- Whistle to signal for help
- Cash in small bills
- Copies of ID, insurance, and medical cards
- Local paper maps
- Printed list of important phone numbers
Go bag¶
Pack one bag per person that you can grab in under a minute. Full guide: go bag.
- Water and snacks for a day
- Medicines and a list of what you take
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Phone charger and power bank
- Flashlight and batteries
- Small first aid kit
- Copies of documents on paper and on a USB drive
- Cash and cards
- Keys for house and car
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Glasses or contacts
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Comfort items for children
- Written list of contacts in case your phone dies
Pet kit¶
Shelters and hotels often require proof of vaccinations. Full guide: pet emergency kit.
- Food and water for at least a week
- Bowls and a manual can opener
- Medicines and dosage instructions
- Vaccination records and vet contact
- Recent photo of you with your pet
- Collar with ID tag and a spare
- Leash or harness
- Carrier or crate labeled with your name and phone
- Litter, pads, and waste bags
- Familiar blanket or toy
- List of pet friendly shelters and hotels on your route
24 hours before the storm¶
When a hurricane warning is issued for your area, work through this list. Full guide: final preparations.
- Follow evacuation orders as soon as they are issued
- Fill your car with fuel
- Get cash from an ATM
- Charge every phone, power bank, and rechargeable light
- Fill bathtubs and every clean container with water
- Freeze water bottles and turn the fridge and freezer to coldest
- Put up shutters or plywood
- Bring in everything from the yard and balcony
- Move vehicles to high ground or into a garage
- Move valuables and documents to an upper floor or high shelf
- Unplug electronics you do not need
- Take photos of the house inside and out
- Check on neighbors who may need help
- Confirm your safe room, away from windows
- Tell your out of area contact your plan
- Tune your radio to official weather and emergency broadcasts and keep it on (NOAA Weather Radio in the United States)
After the storm: first steps¶
Wait for officials to say it is safe before you go out. Full guide: after the storm.
- Stay inside until officials say the storm has passed
- Check everyone for injuries and treat them
- Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada) only for life threatening emergencies
- Stay away from downed power lines and standing water
- Smell for gas and leave if you smell it
- Keep generators outside, far from windows and doors
- Do not drive through flooded roads
- Photograph all damage before you move or clean anything
- Contact your insurance company to start a claim
- Throw out food that got warm or wet
- Use bottled or boiled water until officials say tap water is safe
- Check on neighbors, especially older people and those living alone
- Let your out of area contact know you are safe
- Ask your local officials about disaster assistance if you had losses (DisasterAssistance.gov in the United States)
- Be careful with anyone offering repairs for cash up front
Carbon monoxide and downed lines
Never run a generator indoors or in a garage, even with the door open. Treat every downed line as live. These two hazards hurt people every year after the wind has stopped.