Hurricane Emergency Plan: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (with Free Template)

Living in South Florida, I learned fast that a “good plan” beats a good intention every single season. In my area, if you wait for the hurricane alert to hit your phone, you’re already behind. Supermarkets and home-improvement stores get picked clean, shutter companies get slammed with orders, and even simple tasks like buying water or batteries turn into a scavenger hunt. This guide is the plan I wish everyone had—clear, practical, and ready to use.

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? (Quick Checklist)

Before I dive deep, here’s my quick readiness snapshot. If you can’t tick these off by June 1 (the Atlantic season start), make it your weekend project:

• Know your decision points: What makes you evacuate vs. shelter at home? (Storm surge zone, building type, mobility, medical needs.)

• Two-tier supplies: A 3-day go-bag in case you leave and a 2-week stay-at-home kit if you ride out safely.

• Home hardening: Shutters or temporary protection pre-measured and labeled; roof, gutters, trees handled before peak season.

• Power & comms: Safe generator plan (or power-outage strategy), battery radios, charging banks, car chargers, solar panels if you have them.

• Docs & insurance: Photos of your home and valuables; policy numbers; ID copies; a claims checklist for post-storm.

• People & pets: Out-of-state contact, family group text rules, pet crates/food/meds, backup shelter options.

• Cash & fuel: Small bills and full tanks before watches and warnings roll out.

In South Florida, I’ve watched aisles empty in hours—water, propane, plywood, and D-cell batteries go first. That’s why I set a personal 72-hour trigger: when a system enters the Caribbean and models tighten, I top up fuel, water, and cash—no drama, no lines.

Build Your Hurricane Emergency Plan (Family & Home)

A strong plan answers who, what, where, and when—before the wind shifts. I keep my plan printed on one page at the front door and a digital version in the family chat.

Evacuation vs Shelter-in-Place: Decide Early

• Evacuate if: You’re in a storm-surge zone; you live in a manufactured/mobile home; your building has a history of flooding; or medical needs could be compromised by power loss.

• Shelter if: You’re outside surge zones, in a well-built structure, and can isolate from wind-borne debris (interior room, no windows).

• Routes & rally points: Choose two routes to two destinations (friend/family inland + public shelter as backup). Print maps in case cell data fails.

• Pet plan: Confirm pet-friendly sheltering or boarding in advance. I keep vet records in a zip bag with the crates.
  

Experience: In my case, the difference between calm and chaos is printing my evacuation alternatives in May. If you’re scrolling for shelter locations when winds are picking up, you waited too long.

Supply Strategy: Go-Kit (3 Days) and Stay-at-Home Kit (2 Weeks)

• Go-bag (per person): Water bottles + purifier tablets, ready-to-eat food, meds (7–14 days), first aid, flashlight/headlamp, power bank, radio, IDs, cash, hygiene items, copies of documents, clothing, pet supplies.

• Stay-at-home (household): 1 gallon of water per person per day, shelf-stable foods, manual can opener, baby/elder supplies, freezer ice packs, coolers, bleach for sanitation, trash bags, gloves, tarps, duct tape, basic tools, fire extinguisher.

• Medication & special needs: Refill early; ask your pharmacy how they handle early refills ahead of a storm watch.

• Labeling & rotation: Date everything; rotate batteries/food quarterly.
  

Experience: I’ve seen stores run out of the “boring” stuff—trash bags, gloves, and tarps—right when everyone needs to clean debris and cover leaks. Don’t overlook cleanup supplies.

Communications Plan: Contacts, Alerts, and Radios

• Primary contact: Pick one out-of-state person; everyone texts them “I’m safe / I evacuated to X.”

• Group rules: One group chat for updates, one for logistics. Short messages conserve battery.

• Alerts & radios: Enable local alerts; keep a battery or hand-crank radio.

• Paper list: Phones die—print contacts, policies, and instructions.
  

Home Hardening & Vendors: Shutters, Windows, and Roof Prep

“Don’t wait” isn’t a slogan; it’s logistics. In South Florida, I’ve watched hurricane shutter companies—like Total Hurricane Shutters—get hammered with 100+ orders in a single day when a cone shifts. Even if installation is straightforward, factories and crews can’t magic more capacity during a rush.

• Shutters & impact protection:

  • Pre-measure every opening; label panels by window/door.

  • Store fasteners together; test-fit once in spring.

  • If you’re upgrading to impact windows, sign contracts months before peak season.

• Garage doors & roofs:

  • Reinforce garage doors (they’re a weak point).

  • Inspect roof, replace loose shingles/tiles, clear gutters, trim trees clear of the home.

• Water & wind entry:

  • Check weatherstripping, door sweeps; pre-stage sandbags if flood-prone.

  • Know how to shut off water, gas, and electricity safely.

• Documentation:

  • Take pre-storm photos and videos of your home (inside/out), appliances, serial numbers, roof and exterior.
    

Experience: I book shutter service before June. When neighbors call installers 72 hours before landfall, crews are already maxed out—and factories can’t run faster just because the forecast changed.

View Hurricane Screen for Windows

Hurricane Response: What to Do When a Storm is Forecast

When a credible forecast points your way, switch to timeline mode. Here’s the cadence I use.

120-, 72-, and 24-Hour Timelines (Fuel, Cash, Meds, Pets)

120 hours (5 days) out

• Confirm evacuation triggers and destinations; share your plan with family.

• Top off prescriptions; pick up specialty foods, infant/elder supplies.

• Test generator safely outdoors; check oil, extension cords, CO detectors.

• Walk your property: secure loose items, pre-stage panels and tools.

72 hours (3 days) out (my personal “top-up” trigger)

• Fill vehicles; withdraw small-bill cash; charge power banks.

• Freeze jugs of water to extend fridge life; make extra ice.

• Install hard-to-reach shutters first; pre-cut/label any temporary panels.

• Set fridge/freezer to the coldest safe settings.

24 hours out

• Finish window/door protection; bring in patio furniture and grills.

• Set up a safe interior room; lay out helmets for kids (debris risk), closed-toe shoes, flashlights.

• Text final updates to your primary contact; switch phones to power-save mode.
  

Experience: The 72-hour window is where South Florida crowds hit the same stores at the same time. By moving earlier, I skip the lines and guarantee I get what I actually need.

Generator & CO Safety, Power-Outage Tactics

• Generator safety: Always outside, far from doors/windows; never in garages or near vents. Use proper, heavy-duty cords. Consider interlock/transfer switch installed by a pro.

• Carbon monoxide: Install battery CO detectors; symptoms can be subtle—don’t take chances.

• Food safety: Keep fridge/freezer closed; a full freezer stays colder longer. Use a thermometer; when in doubt, throw it out.

• Water: If local systems are compromised, boil or disinfect water per guidance.

• Lighting: Headlamps > flashlights for hands-free tasks.

• Comms & power: Car chargers, small solar panels, and power banks keep phones alive for critical updates.
  

Hurricane Recovery Plan: First 72 Hours After the Storm

Recovery starts before you step outside.

• Re-entry & hazards: Beware of downed lines, gas leaks, contaminated water, and unstable structures. Wear gloves and sturdy shoes.

• Check on people first: Family, neighbors, especially older adults or anyone with medical devices.

• Document everything: Take time-stamped photos/videos of damage before moving items; keep a running list of losses.

• Mitigate further damage: Tarp roof leaks, remove wet carpets/soft goods, start drying within 24–48 hours to avoid mold.

• Insurance & claims:

  • Contact your insurer early; ask about approved vendors and documentation requirements.

  • Save receipts for temporary repairs and lodging.

  • Keep a claim diary (date/time, who you spoke to, what was agreed).

• Contractor triage:

  • Prioritize roof, electrical, and water intrusion.

  • Verify licenses and references; avoid door-to-door cash demands.

  • Get written estimates and timelines; be wary of “assignment of benefits” if you don’t understand it.
    

Experience: After a storm, the “boring” steps—photos, receipts, call logs—save weeks of headaches. I capture everything on my phone and back it up when power returns.

Tropical Storm & Tropical Cyclone Resources (United States)

• Forecasts & alerts: National Hurricane Center (NHC), local National Weather Service offices.

• Preparedness: Ready.gov guidance, community alert systems, local emergency management pages.

• Shelters & help: Local county EM pages and recognized relief organizations.

• Insurance & recovery: Your insurer’s catastrophe page, state insurance consumer helplines, licensed contractors’ boards.
  

Download: Hurricane Response Plan Template (Household + Small Business)

Copy, customize, print two copies (home & car), and share a PDF in your family or team chat.

Download Response Plan HERE!

South Florida: County Resources & Maps

Palm Beach County

• Look up your evacuation zone (interactive): Palm Beach County “Know Your Zone” tool. (Palm Beach County)

• Shelters (official list & updates): Palm Beach County Emergency Management Shelters page. (Palm Beach County)

• County hurricane guide (PDF): Palm Beach County Hurricane Guide (includes links to zone map, shelter info, special needs, etc.). (Palm Beach County)
  

Broward County

• Evacuation zones & routes (map PDF, Jun 21, 2024): Broward County “Evacuation Zones and Routes.” (Broward County)

• Shelter information (live updates on openings): Broward “Hurricane Shelter Locations” + general shelter info pages. (Broward County)

• Emergency shelter map (printable, updated 2025): Broward “Emergency Shelter Map (Print).” (Broward County)

• County hurricane hub (alerts, registrations, at-risk resources): Broward Official Hurricane Site. (Broward County)
  

Miami-Dade County

• Check if/when you need to evacuate: Miami-Dade “Emergency Evacuations” (has Evacuation Orders map + links to open centers when activated). (Miami-Dade County)

• Find your Storm Surge Planning Zone (interactive map): Storm Surge Planning Zones. (Miami-Dade County)

• Open evacuation centers & bus pick-ups (during events): “Before/During a Hurricane” pages with live maps and Ready MDC app links. (Miami-Dade County)

• Special needs/evacuation assistance: Emergency & Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) registration. (Miami-Dade County)

• County emergency homepage: 2025 Severe Weather & Emergency Readiness Guide and contacts. (Miami-Dade County)
  

If you want, I can also add one-click jump links to these resources at the top of the article and a fillable one-page checklist tailored for each county (with zone/route blanks).

FAQs

How many days of supplies should I store?

I keep two weeks of household supplies for staying put, and 3 days in each go-bag for fast evacuation. Adjust for medical and infant/elder needs.

When should I install shutters?

I stage panels in spring and install the hardest ones as soon as a credible forecast points our way—not the night before landfall. Installers get overwhelmed late; DIY takes longer than you think.

Should I tape windows?

No. Tape doesn’t prevent breaking and can create larger, more dangerous shards. Use proper shutters or impact protection.

What’s the difference between a hurricane watch and warning?

A watch means conditions are possible; a warning means they’re expected. Treat warnings as “act now.”

Conclusion

A hurricane emergency plan isn’t a document—it’s a set of pre-decisions you make in calm weather. In my experience in South Florida, the biggest wins come from doing ordinary things early: buy routine supplies before June, book shutter work months ahead, set a 72-hour top-up trigger, and keep your plan printed and shared. Do that, and you’ll trade panic lines for quiet confidence.