How do you prepare for a hurricane or major storm?

Short answer. Find out now whether you live in an evacuation zone, and leave immediately if officials order it ³. A hurricane watch comes 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds, a warning 36 hours before ¹: finish preparing during the watch. Store water (one gallon per person per day in the US ⁴, about four litres in Canada ⁷) and keep generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents ⁵.

What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?

A watch means dangerous conditions are possible. A warning means they are expected. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) defines them this way ¹:

The timing matters more than the wording. A hurricane warning is timed to the arrival of tropical-storm-force winds, not the hurricane itself, because outdoor preparation becomes difficult or dangerous once those winds begin ¹. In practice, the watch is when you should be finishing your supplies, securing your home and confirming where you would go.

Other countries use their own systems. The Philippines, for example, uses five Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals instead of watches and warnings (see below) ⁸. In Canada, the government notes that the colour of weather alerts is set using its Weather Impact Guides ⁶.

Why does the evacuation zone matter so much?

Because water, not wind, is the main killer. The NHC states that storm surge, the abnormal rise of sea level pushed ashore by a storm, "is currently the leading cause of fatalities from hurricanes" ². Water weighs approximately 1,700 pounds per cubic yard, and the NHC notes that extended pounding by frequent waves can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such forces ².

Evacuation zones are drawn around this risk. Ready.gov's guidance is direct: if you live in an evacuation zone, you may have to evacuate quickly, and if you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, "do so immediately" ³.

Inland flooding is a second water hazard. Ready.gov notes that just six inches (about 15 cm) of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot (about 30 cm) of moving water can sweep a vehicle away ³. Do not walk or drive through flood water; it can also carry pathogens that cause illness ³.

What to do before the season starts:

• Know your evacuation zone and follow the instructions from local emergency managers ³.
• Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household and pets, and identify where you will stay ³.
• Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands the plan ³.
• Include medication, disinfectant supplies and pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk ³.

When is hurricane season?

In the United States, Ready.gov gives these dates ³:

• Atlantic: June 1 to November 30.
• Eastern Pacific: May 15 to November 30.
• Central Pacific: June 1 to November 30.

In Canada, hurricane season usually lasts from June through November ⁶. Communities close to the Atlantic Ocean are most at risk, the remnants of a hurricane can affect Ontario and Quebec, and on rare occasions the remnants of Pacific tropical cyclones can affect British Columbia ⁶.

What supplies should you have ready?

Ready.gov's basic disaster supplies kit is a good starting list ⁴:

• Water: one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation ⁴.
• Food: at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food ⁴.
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert ⁴.
• Flashlight, extra batteries and a first aid kit ⁴.
• Whistle to signal for help, and a dust mask ⁴.
• Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape ⁴.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation ⁴.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a manual can opener ⁴.
• Local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery ⁴.

Agencies differ on water. The US figure is one gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day, covering drinking and sanitation ⁴. Canada says about four litres per person per day and asks households to be ready to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours ⁷. Ready.gov does not fix a number of days in its kit list; it says "several days" ⁴. Our water-per-person guide compares more countries.

Power can be out for a long time after a strong storm. In the Philippines, PAGASA warns that at Signal #3 many areas may suffer power outages, and at Signal #5 electricity, drinking water and telecommunications will be unavailable for prolonged periods ⁸. Plan for lighting, phone charging and food storage without electricity; see our power outage guide.

How do you use a generator safely after a storm?

Generators, grills and other fuel-burning devices give off carbon monoxide. The CDC's rule is simple: keep generators outside, at least 20 feet (about 6 m) from doors, windows and vents, and don't use generators or grills in or next to your home ⁵. That includes the garage and the carport ⁵.

Our generator and carbon monoxide guide covers this in detail, including carbon monoxide alarms.

What should you do during and after the storm?

During. If you are not evacuating, take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds ³. Pay attention to emergency information and alerts, go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding, and do not climb into a closed attic ³. Canada's guidance: stay calm, and know what to do ⁶.

After. Canada advises assessing the situation and being prepared for additional hazards ⁶. Ready.gov warns against wading in flood water ³. Pay attention to local officials for information and special instructions, and do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water ³. Run generators only outdoors, at the 20-foot distance ⁵.

Whether a specific building can withstand a given storm is an engineering question. If you are considering shutters, a safe room or other structural work, ask a licensed structural engineer or your local building authority.

What official agencies recommend

United States (NHC/NOAA and Ready.gov/FEMA). Learn the watch and warning definitions: a hurricane watch comes 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds, a warning 36 hours before ¹. Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane deaths ². Evacuate immediately when ordered in a mandatory zone ³. Store one gallon of water per person per day for several days ⁴. Keep generators at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents ⁵.

Canada (Public Safety Canada, Get Prepared). Season usually runs from June through November, with Atlantic communities most at risk and remnants able to reach Ontario, Quebec and occasionally British Columbia ⁶. Prepare an emergency kit and a household emergency plan, considering the specific needs of everyone in the household ⁶. Plan for about four litres of water per person per day and at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency ⁷.

Philippines (PAGASA). Five Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals, each with a wind range and a warning lead time ⁸:

PAGASA notes that winds are generally stronger over offshore water and on high ground, and that signals can jump levels when conditions change quickly, so follow the latest bulletin instead of waiting for each step ⁸.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wait for a hurricane warning before preparing?

No. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected, and a watch 48 hours before ¹. Outdoor preparations become hard once those winds arrive, so the watch is the practical deadline to finish ¹.

Is wind or water the bigger danger?

Water. The NHC says storm surge is currently the leading cause of fatalities from hurricanes ². Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep a vehicle away ³.

How much water should I store for a hurricane?

Ready.gov (FEMA) recommends one gallon per person per day for several days ⁴. Canada recommends about four litres per person per day and at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency ⁷.

How far from the house should a generator be?

At least 20 feet (about 6 m) from doors, windows and vents, and never inside the home, garage or carport ⁵.

What does PAGASA Signal #3 mean?

Winds of 89 to 117 km/h are expected within 18 hours; light structures may suffer substantial damage and many areas may lose power ⁸.

Make your own hurricane plan

A watch leaves about two days to act, so the decisions are best made before the season: your zone, your destination, your supplies. The Phaenyx personal plan ($29 free for a limited time) helps you set these down for your household and your country, with links to the official sources above. Build your Phaenyx plan.

Sources

1. National Hurricane Center (NOAA) — Glossary of NHC Terms — https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. National Hurricane Center (NOAA) — Storm Surge Overview — https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Ready.gov (FEMA) — Hurricanes — https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. Ready.gov (FEMA) — Build A Kit — https://www.ready.gov/kit (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning — https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/psa-toolkit/avoiding-carbon-monoxide-poisoning.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. Government of Canada (Get Prepared) — Hurricanes — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/hazards-emergencies/hurricanes.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
7. Government of Canada (Get Prepared) — Emergency kits — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/emergency-kits.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
8. PAGASA — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal — https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/learning-tools/tropical-cyclone-wind-signal (accessed 2026-10-20)