Be Ready for Hurricane Season
You can’t stop a tropical storm or hurricane, but you can take steps now to protect yourself and your family.
If you live in areas at risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages you to be prepared for hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 each year. It’s always important to be prepared for a hurricane. Your planning may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. For tips to help you safely prepare, evacuate, and shelter for severe storms while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19, please see: Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Preparing for a Hurricane
Follow these important hurricane preparedness tips from CDC:
- Prepare for a hurricane: Take basic steps now to ensure your safety should a storm hit.
- Get emergency supplies: Stock your home and your car with supplies.
- Make a plan: Create a family disaster plan.
- Prepare to evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
- Protect older adults: Understand older adult health and medical concerns.
- Protect your pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after a hurricane.
NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication
(770) 488-0700
envhealthmedia@cdc.gov
CDC recommends that you print important documents (e.g., emergency phone numbers, insurance information) before a hurricane strikes. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it.
Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe.
Staying Safe After a Hurricane
In addition to preparing for a hurricane, it’s important to take steps to stay safe after a hurricane is over, for example:
- Avoid flooded areas: Take precautions before, during, and after a flood.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after the storm: Ensure your CO detector has working batteries. Place generators outside at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.
Visit Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm for more tips on staying safe after a hurricane.
Additional information and resources are available on the CDC Hurricanes and Other Tropical Storms website.
Related Links
Before:
Be ready for #hurricane season! Prepare your home & car in case you have to evacuate. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/evacuate.html
Planning for hurricane season may be different this year. Know how to prepare for hurricane season during the #COVID19 pandemic to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html
Hurricane season starts June 1. During the #COVID19 pandemic, give yourself more time than usual to prepare your emergency food, water, and medicine supplies. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/prepare-for-hurricane.html
Get ahead of the storm with our #hurricane infographic full of tips to make your home hurricane ready: https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/infographics/br-hurricanes.htm
You can’t stop a hurricane, but you can take steps to protect yourself & family before it hits. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/before.html
Get ready for #hurricane season & make sure your supplies are stocked! Here’s a quick list to help you out: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/supplies.html
With #HurricaneName brewing, now it’s a good time to update your emergency kit. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/supplies.html
Follow these tips from @ASPCA to keep your pet safe if a #hurricane strikes: http://bit.ly/215dxEJ external icon
Do you have a disaster plan for your family (including pets) in the event of a #hurricane or severe storm? This year be aware that your shelter location may have changed. Check with local authorities and make a plan before the storm. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/covid-19/public-disaster-shelter-during-covid.html
During:
During a #hurricane watch, cover windows & doors. Learn how to protect your home. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/before.html
#Hurricanes can cause storm surge to travel several miles inland, threatening lives & property. Be prepared: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/before.html
Flooded roads? Never drive through roads covered in water. Nearly half of #flood fatalities occur in vehicles. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/floodsafety.html
Listen to local authorities for what to do during heavy #flooding. Never ignore an evacuation order. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/floodsafety.html
After:
Stay safe during #hurricane cleanup. Learn how: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/facts.html
After a #hurricane, throw out foods that may not be safe. When in doubt, throw it out! https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html
Learn how to disinfect water when a #hurricane makes tap water unsafe. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html
Hand washing is part of disaster cleanup, too. Wash hands before handling food & whenever you stop working. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/sanitation.html
Keep your family safe from #COpoisoning after #hurricanes. Learn how: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/cofacts.html