Hurricane season starts June 1. That gives you less than two weeks to prepare your household for what forecasters are predicting will be an active season. Colorado State University’s forecast calls for 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes in 2026. AccuWeather goes slightly higher with up to 16 named storms and 3-5 direct U.S. impacts.
Here is the thing most people get wrong about hurricane preparation: they wait until a storm has a name and a projected path. By that point, every store within driving distance has sold out of water, batteries, and plywood. Gas stations run dry. Generator prices spike. You are competing with millions of other households who all had the same last-minute idea.
The smart move is preparing now, while shelves are stocked and prices are normal. This checklist covers everything your household needs — from water and food storage to backup power, documents, and evacuation planning. Print it out. Work through it this weekend. When a storm finally does come, you will be ready instead of scrambling.
Key Takeaways
- CSU forecasts 13 named storms for 2026 — season runs June 1 to November 30
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 7-14 days minimum
- A portable power station beats a gas generator for safety and convenience
- Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period — buy it now, not when a storm is forecast
- Every household member needs their own go-bag packed and ready
- Take photos of every room and valuable item for insurance claims before a storm hits
The 2026 Hurricane Season Forecast
Before diving into the checklist, it helps to understand what forecasters are expecting this year.
A strong El Niño is expected to develop during the 2026 season, which typically increases wind shear across the Atlantic Basin. Higher wind shear makes it harder for hurricanes to organize and intensify. That is the good news.
The not-so-good news: ocean temperatures in the Atlantic remain well above average, providing plenty of fuel for any storms that do form. El Niño reduces the number of storms but does not prevent strong ones from developing. And it only takes one direct hit to devastate a community.
NOAA is set to release its official 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook in late May. Florida officials are already stressing early preparation, and the National Hurricane Center has announced new forecast cone graphics for this season that will make projected storm paths easier to understand.
Water: Your Most Critical Supply
After a major hurricane, water service can be disrupted for days or weeks. Contaminated water supplies are one of the leading causes of illness after a storm. FEMA’s minimum recommendation is 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days, but that is the absolute baseline. Plan for 7-14 days — that covers drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
For a family of four, that means 28 to 56 gallons at minimum.
Best Water Storage Options
WaterBOB Bathtub Bladder
The WaterBOB transforms your standard bathtub into a 100-gallon drinking water reservoir in about 20 minutes. Place it in the tub, connect the fill sleeve to the faucet, and let it fill. The food-grade bladder keeps water clean and fresh for up to 16 weeks — far longer than an open tub would.
Why We Like It
- 100 gallons for ~$35 is unbeatable value
- Keeps water clean vs. open tub
- Includes hand pump for easy dispensing
- Stores flat when not in use
Keep in Mind
- Single use — not reusable after draining
- Need to fill before water pressure drops
- Requires a bathtub (not all homes have one)
Reliance Aqua-Tainer (7-Gallon)
The Aqua-Tainer is the standard recommendation for rigid water storage. At 7 gallons each, they are heavy when full (~56 lbs) but manageable. The blue-tinted HDPE blocks light to prevent algae growth. Get 4 of these and you have 28 gallons — a week of water for two people.
Why We Like It
- Reusable year after year
- Rigid — stacks and stores easily
- Spigot for easy pouring
- Available at most hardware stores
Keep in Mind
- Heavy when full — hard to carry far
- Spigot can be fragile
- Need multiple for a family
Food: Build a 7-Day Non-Perishable Supply
Power outages during hurricanes can last weeks. Your fridge will keep food cold for about 4 hours (24 hours for a full freezer) without power. After that, you need shelf-stable food that requires no refrigeration and minimal cooking.
- Canned goods you already eat (rotate stock every 6 months)
- Peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
- Dried fruit, nuts, and jerky
- Rice, pasta (if you have a way to boil water)
- Canned tuna, chicken, and beans
- Manual can opener (do not rely on electric)
- Paper plates and plastic utensils (no dishwashing without water)
- Camping stove or butane burner + extra fuel canisters
- Instant coffee or tea bags
- Pet food if you have animals (7-day supply minimum)
Power: Keep Your Essentials Running
Extended power outages are the most common consequence of a hurricane. Without electricity, you lose lights, refrigeration, communication (phone charging), medical devices, and cooling — which matters enormously when post-storm temperatures often climb above 90°F with high humidity.
In 2026, portable power stations have replaced gas generators as the smart choice for most households. They are safer (no carbon monoxide), quieter, and charge from solar panels when gas stations are out of commission.
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3
The Delta Pro 3 is the industry leader for whole-home hurricane backup. With 4,000W of continuous output, it can run a full-size refrigerator, lights, fans, phone chargers, and a window AC unit simultaneously. EcoFlow’s X-Stream technology charges it from 0-100% in about 60 minutes via a wall outlet — critical when you get a last-minute warning.
Why We Like It
- Powers a full fridge for 24+ hours
- Expandable up to 48 kWh with add-on batteries
- 60-minute fast charging from wall outlet
- LiFePO4 battery: 3,000+ charge cycles
Keep in Mind
- Premium price point
- Heavy at 114 lbs — not easily portable
- Solar panels sold separately
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
If the Delta Pro 3 is overkill for your needs, the Jackery 1000 v2 hits the sweet spot of price and power. It will keep your phones charged, lights on, and a small fan running for 2-3 days. The LiFePO4 battery means it will still work properly five hurricane seasons from now.
Why We Like It
- Best value for mid-range hurricane backup
- Weighs 25 lbs — actually portable
- LiFePO4 for long life and heat resistance
- Clean interface, easy to use
Keep in Mind
- Cannot power a full refrigerator long-term
- Slower solar charging than EcoFlow
- Not expandable
| Feature | EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 | Jackery 1000 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,499 | ~$599 |
| Output | 4,000W | 1,500W |
| Battery | 4.0 kWh (expandable) | 1.07 kWh |
| Weight | 114 lbs | 25 lbs |
| Full Fridge | 24+ hours | 6-8 hours |
| Phone Charges | ~120 | ~35 |
| Best For | Whole-home backup | Essential devices |
Communication: Stay Connected When Cell Towers Go Down
Cell towers are among the first infrastructure to fail during a hurricane. Flooding knocks out ground-level equipment, wind takes down antennas, and backup batteries only last 4-8 hours without power. You need communication methods that do not depend on the cell network.
- NOAA weather radio with hand crank ($25-40) — receives alerts without power or cell service
- Walkie-talkies for family communication ($30-60/pair)
- Portable phone charger (20,000+ mAh) — pre-charged before the storm
- Car charger for phones
- Written list of emergency phone numbers (your phone might die)
- Whistle attached to your go-bag (signaling for rescue)
Documents and Finances
After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of families lost every important document they owned. No birth certificates, no insurance policies, no property deeds. Rebuilding your identity after a disaster is a nightmare that takes months. Fifteen minutes of preparation prevents this entirely.
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport) — copies in waterproof pouch
- Insurance policies (homeowner's, flood, auto, health)
- Property deed or lease agreement
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Medical records and prescription list
- Bank account information
- Cash in small bills ($200-500) — ATMs and card readers need power
- Photos/video of every room and valuable item (for insurance claims)
Store physical copies in a fireproof and waterproof document bag ($15-25). Also keep digital copies on an encrypted USB drive and in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox).
Your Go-Bag: One Per Person
If an evacuation order comes, you want to grab one bag and walk out the door. No searching for medications. No scrambling for chargers. Every person in your household should have their own go-bag, pre-packed and stored near the front door or in the car trunk.
The Bag
A sturdy backpack or duffel bag. Waterproof is ideal. Label it with your name and phone number.
Documents
Copies of ID, insurance, and medical records in a waterproof zip pouch. Cash in small bills ($100+ per person).
Medical
7 days of all prescription medications. First aid kit. Any medical devices (inhaler, EpiPen). List of doctors and pharmacies.
Essentials
Flashlight + extra batteries. Portable phone charger (fully charged). Water bottles. Energy bars. Change of clothes. Rain jacket.
Comfort & Safety
N95 masks (post-storm air quality is often hazardous). Work gloves. Sunscreen. Insect repellent. Hygiene items. Blanket or sleeping bag.
Home Protection: Before the Storm Arrives
When a hurricane is 48-72 hours out, shift from supply prep to physical home protection.
- Install hurricane shutters or board up windows with 5/8" plywood
- Bring in all outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants, and decorations
- Clear gutters and downspouts of debris
- Trim any dead or weak tree branches near the house
- Fill your car with gas (gas stations lose power too)
- Fill the WaterBOB and any additional water containers
- Set fridge and freezer to their coldest settings
- Charge every device: phones, power stations, laptops, battery packs
- Move important items to the highest floor if flooding is possible
- Know where your water and gas shut-off valves are
Evacuation Planning
Know your evacuation zone before a storm is headed your way. Most coastal counties publish zone maps on their emergency management websites. The time to learn your route is today — not when highway traffic is at a standstill.
- Know your zone: Check your county's emergency management website for hurricane evacuation zones (usually A through E).
- Plan two routes: Your primary route and an alternate in case the primary is flooded or jammed.
- Drive the route: Actually drive your evacuation route now, during calm weather. Know where the gas stations are.
- Identify a destination: A friend or family member's home inland, or a specific hotel with a reservation. Do not assume shelters have space.
- Pets: Not all shelters accept animals. Identify pet-friendly hotels along your route or arrange for a friend to host your pets.
- Leave early: When an evacuation order is issued, go immediately. Every hour you delay adds hours to your drive.
Your 14-Day Hurricane Prep Timeline
Hurricane season starts June 1. Here is exactly what to do each day between now and then.
Days 1-3: Water and Food
Order Aqua-Tainers and a WaterBOB. Stock 7 days of non-perishable food. Buy a manual can opener. Budget: $80-150.
Days 4-6: Power and Communication
Choose and order a portable power station. Buy a NOAA weather radio and portable phone chargers. Budget: $100-2,500.
Days 7-9: Documents and Finance
Photograph every room and valuable item. Copy important documents. Buy a fireproof bag. Pull out $300-500 in cash. Call about flood insurance.
Days 10-12: Go-Bags and Home
Pack a go-bag for every family member. Trim weak branches. Clear gutters. Identify evacuation routes and drive them.
Days 13-14: Test and Review
Test your power station. Make sure all devices charge. Review your plan with the whole family. Set up emergency contacts. You are ready.
How Prepared Is Your Household?
Take our free 3-minute Emergency Readiness Scan and get a personalized preparedness score with specific recommendations for your situation.
Take the Emergency Scan →Read: Wildfire Smoke Home Protection Guide
The Complete Hurricane Checklist (Printable)
| Category | Item | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Water | WaterBOB + 4x Aqua-Tainer (128 gal total) | $115 |
| Water | Water purification tablets (backup) | $8 |
| Food | 7-day non-perishable supply + can opener | $75-150 |
| Power | Portable power station | $599-2,499 |
| Power | Portable phone charger (20,000 mAh) | $25-40 |
| Communication | NOAA weather radio (hand crank) | $25-40 |
| Communication | Walkie-talkies (1 pair) | $30-60 |
| Documents | Fireproof/waterproof document bag | $15-25 |
| Documents | Cash in small bills | $300-500 |
| Medical | First aid kit + 7 days medications | $45-80 |
| Go-Bag | Backpack + essentials per person | $50-100 |
| Home | Hurricane shutters or plywood | $50-300 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED COST | $1,337-3,802 | |
That might look like a lot. But compare it to the average uninsured hurricane damage of $30,000-80,000 per household, or the cost of an emergency hotel stay for a week with no supplies. Preparation is always cheaper than recovery.
FAQ
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Colorado State University forecasts 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes (Category 3+). A developing El Niño may reduce overall intensity but does not eliminate risk. NOAA will release their official outlook in late May.
FEMA recommends a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days. For realistic hurricane preparedness, aim for 7-14 days. A family of four needs 28-56 gallons minimum. The WaterBOB bathtub bladder holds 100 gallons and costs about $35 — fill it when a storm warning is issued for instant surge capacity.
For most households, a portable power station is safer and more practical. They work indoors, produce zero carbon monoxide, require no fuel storage, and charge from solar panels. Gas generators provide more continuous power but must run outdoors and require fuel that may be unavailable during a storm. Carbon monoxide from generators kills more people after hurricanes than the storms themselves.
Copies of important documents in a waterproof pouch, 7 days of medications, water bottles, energy bars, a portable phone charger, cash in small bills, a change of clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, N95 masks, hygiene items, and emergency contacts written on paper. Pack one bag per person.
Standard homeowner's insurance does NOT cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area, you need a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Most policies have a 30-day waiting period — do not wait until a storm is forecast to buy coverage.