Hurricane Prep Timeline Checklist
One-page countdown with checkboxes for every action between T-7 days and the day after the storm. Designed for the fridge or storm-supply binder.
Pair with the Hurricane Prep Supply Calculator to size your stockpile, and read the How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane guide for the rationale behind each phase.
Hurricane Prep Timeline Checklist
Start the T-7 days column when a storm enters your forecast cone with 70%+ confidence. Work through each phase as the storm approaches.
T-7 Days: Stockpile and Documents
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top up 7 days of water (1 gal/person/day, more for kids and elderly) | ||
| Stock 7 days of shelf-stable food (canned goods, bars, jerky, peanut butter) | ||
| Refill all prescriptions (call pharmacy, request vacation override) | ||
| Photograph or scan all insurance and ID documents; email to out-of-state contact | ||
| Fill all vehicle gas tanks plus 5 to 15 gallons in approved cans | ||
| Test the generator (15-min run under load); change oil if due | ||
| Withdraw $200 to $400 per person in small bills; seal in waterproof bag | ||
| Trim trees and remove dead branches within tree-fall range of the home | ||
| Confirm pet readiness: 14 days food, current rabies cert, carrier per pet | ||
| Walk-through video of every room with narration; email to yourself |
T-72 Hours: Water and Outdoor Securing
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill bathtubs and food-grade containers (50 to 100 gal of non-drinking water) | ||
| Pre-freeze water bottles and ice packs to fill the freezer | ||
| Move outdoor furniture, grills, and decor into garage or shed | ||
| Disassemble or wrap trampolines, basketball hoops, swing sets | ||
| Charge all phones, laptops, power banks, and external batteries | ||
| Review the family communication plan with every household member | ||
| Identify out-of-state contact; share schedule and meeting points | ||
| Confirm primary and back-up evacuation routes (state DOT pages) | ||
| Tune NOAA weather radio; replace batteries if needed |
T-24 Hours: Shutters and Final Fuel
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Install shutters or board up windows (5/8-in plywood, anchors every 12 in) | ||
| Brace garage door (vertical kit) or store family vehicle inside | ||
| Top up fuel cans; confirm vehicles still have full tanks | ||
| Final grocery run: bread, fresh produce for the week, comfort foods for kids | ||
| Make the shelter-vs-evacuate decision; communicate to family | ||
| Identify the safe room (interior, windowless, ground floor outside surge zone) | ||
| Stock safe room: water, snacks, flashlights, weather radio, phone chargers | ||
| Notify out-of-state contact of shelter or evacuation decision and location | ||
| Fill prescription pill organizer for at least 7 days; pack in safe room |
T-12 Hours: Final Lockdown
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Final outdoor walk-through; secure anything still loose | ||
| Park vehicles inside garage or driveway facing outward; keys in ignition | ||
| Fill 5 to 10 gallons of drinking water in the safe room | ||
| Charge devices one last time; phone notifications on max priority | ||
| Move documents, photos, flash drives, jewelry, prescriptions to safe room | ||
| Confirm everyone home, pets accounted for, communication plan active | ||
| Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting (extends thaw time) | ||
| Shut off propane at the main tank if not running an essential appliance |
After the Storm
| Done | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wait for the all-clear from local emergency management before going outside | ||
| Check structural integrity (roof, foundation, walls) before re-entering | ||
| Photograph or video every damaged area before any cleanup; date-stamp | ||
| Check on neighbors, especially elderly and those with medical needs | ||
| Boil water 1+ minute before drinking; or use purification tablets | ||
| Generator startup outdoors only, 20+ feet from windows; transfer switch in use | ||
| Avoid floodwater (sewage, chemicals, electrical hazards, downed power lines) | ||
| Discard refrigerated food after 4 hours without power | ||
| Contact insurance company; submit claim with documentation video and photos | ||
| Restock supplies for the next storm in the season |
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start using this hurricane prep checklist?
Start the T-7 days column when the National Hurricane Center brings a storm into your forecast cone with 70 percent or higher confidence at 72 hours out. The full year-round baseline (insurance docs, supply rotation) runs at the start of hurricane season on June 1 and is separate from this storm-specific timeline.
How long should I keep hurricane supplies?
Year-round during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic). Rotate quarterly to keep nothing past expiration. The supplies that go first: bottled water (2-year shelf life sealed), batteries (5-year sealed), canned food (3 to 5 years), bottled propane (indefinite sealed). Mark fill dates on every container and burn oldest-first.
What if a hurricane is upgraded mid-prep?
A storm jumping a category in 24 hours is common. Treat the upgrade like a fresh trigger: complete the next phase immediately rather than the planned schedule. A Cat 3 upgrade to Cat 4 means evacuating if you are in any surge zone, even if you had originally planned to shelter.
Where should I store this checklist?
Pin one copy to the fridge for daily visibility, store a second laminated copy in your storm-supply bin, and keep a third in the glove compartment of your evacuation vehicle. The whole household should know which copy is the master and update progress on a single one.