In short: A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or more) are possible, issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected; a hurricane warning means they are expected, issued 36 hours ahead. Before the season, find out whether you live in an evacuation zone from your local emergency management office, build a supply kit with water, food, medication and a radio, and review your insurance, since most homeowners policies do not cover flooding. If officials order you to evacuate, leave immediately.
Key facts
- Hurricane Watch: sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible, issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected. Hurricane Warning: expected, issued 36 hours before. Source
- The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and the eastern Pacific season from May 15 to November 30. Source
- The National Weather Service says to find out whether you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government or emergency management office. Source
- Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep a vehicle away. Source
- FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and there is typically a 30-day wait before a new NFIP flood policy takes effect. Source
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Hurricanes bring wind, storm surge, heavy rain and flooding, and Ready.gov notes they can cause flooding and even tornadoes far inland from where they make landfall. The good news is that hurricanes usually come with days of forecasts, so most of the work can be done calmly, well before a storm. This guide sets out what the National Hurricane Center (NHC), National Weather Service (NWS), Ready.gov and FEMA advise: prepared, not panicked.
When is hurricane season?
According to the National Hurricane Center, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with a peak around September 10. The eastern Pacific season runs from May 15 to November 30. The NWS says the best time to prepare is before the season begins.
Hurricane watch vs warning: what's the difference?
A watch means conditions are possible; a warning means they are expected. These definitions come from the NHC glossary and the NWS:
| Alert | What it means | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Watch | Sustained winds of 39–73 mph possible | Within 48 hours |
| Tropical Storm Warning | Sustained winds of 39–73 mph expected | Within 36 hours |
| Hurricane Watch | Sustained winds of 74 mph or higher possible | 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds |
| Hurricane Warning | Sustained winds of 74 mph or higher expected | 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds |
| Storm Surge Watch | Life-threatening flooding from rising water possible | Generally within 48 hours |
| Storm Surge Warning | Life-threatening inundation from rising water expected | Generally within 36 hours |
| Extreme Wind Warning | Sustained winds of 115 mph or higher expected | Within the hour |
What the NWS says to do:
- Watch: monitor local officials on TV, radio or your phone, and be ready to evacuate if told to.
- Warning: finish all preparations, check for evacuation orders and leave immediately if ordered.
- Extreme Wind Warning: take shelter right away in an interior room of a well-built structure, away from windows and exterior walls.
The NWS also notes that hazards can extend well beyond the forecast cone, including tornadoes and inland flooding from heavy rain. Get updates from hurricanes.gov, NOAA Weather Radio or your local NWS office.
How do I know my evacuation zone?
Evacuation zones are set and announced locally. The NWS says to find out whether you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government or emergency management office. Some coastal states offer an address lookup: South Carolina's Know Your Zone map, for example, shows predesignated evacuation zones that state and local authorities use when they announce evacuations. Ask your county emergency management office what your area uses.
Ready.gov's advice once you know your zone:
- Learn your evacuation routes and practice them with your household and pets.
- Decide in advance where you'll stay if you have to leave.
- Follow instructions from local emergency managers. If you're in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order you out, leave immediately.
Write your zone, routes and meeting places into your family emergency plan.
What goes in a hurricane supply kit?
Start from Ready.gov's basic disaster supplies kit, then add hurricane-specific items. Ready.gov warns that after a hurricane you may go "days or even weeks" without access to supplies.
- Water: one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation
- Nonperishable food for several days, and a manual can opener
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Cell phone, chargers and a backup battery (charge everything when a storm is forecast)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks; plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
- Disinfectant, soap and hand sanitizer
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Local maps
- Cash
- Copies of insurance policies and IDs, in a waterproof container or saved electronically
- Pet food, extra water and pet supplies
- Infant formula, diapers and wipes, if needed
- Change of clothes, sturdy shoes, and a blanket or sleeping bag per person
Ready.gov suggests packing it in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as plastic bins or a duffel bag, so it can go in the car if you evacuate. For a lighter grab-and-go version, see our go bag checklist.
Before a hurricane: checklist
- Look up your evacuation zone and routes
- Make a household plan, including extra help for anyone with a disability
- Sign up for local alerts (Ready.gov notes community alerts need sign-up, while Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts do not)
- Build or refresh your supply kit
- Review insurance (see below) and keep policies and IDs current
- Store copies of documents in a password-protected digital space
- Clear drains and gutters, and bring in outdoor furniture
- Consider hurricane shutters; check flashlights, generators and shutters work
- Charge phones and backup batteries when a storm is forecast
- Check on older neighbors and anyone who may need help preparing
Keep your documents together in an emergency binder.
During a hurricane
From Ready.gov:
- Stay informed through official alerts. Evacuate immediately if ordered.
- For high winds, shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
- If trapped by floodwater, go to the highest level of the building, but do not climb into a closed attic, where rising water can trap you.
- Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. "Turn Around. Don't Drown!" Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep a vehicle away.
If you lose power, never run a generator indoors or in a garage. CPSC says to run it outdoors, at least 20 feet from homes, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents. Our power outage guide covers generator safety and food safety in detail.
After a hurricane: checklist
- Listen to local officials before returning home or traveling
- Stay out of floodwater: Ready.gov warns it can carry pathogens, debris, chemicals and waste, and can be electrified by downed or underground lines
- Never touch fallen power lines; CDC says to call the power company to report them
- Don't touch wet electrical equipment, or anything electrical while standing in water
- If it's safe, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box; don't wade through water to reach it
- Have a qualified electrician inspect wet wiring before power is restored
- Wear protective clothing and a mask when cleaning up mold or debris, and work with another person; children should not help with cleanup
- Use texts or social media instead of calls, to keep lines free for emergencies
- Photograph damage and contact your insurance company
Flood insurance: what FEMA says
Hurricane flooding is often not covered by standard home insurance. Facts from FEMA, for information only (this is not a recommendation to buy any policy):
- Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA and sold through insurance companies and NFIP Direct. It is available to people living in participating NFIP communities.
- Homes in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders must carry flood insurance.
- Policies can cover the building, its contents, or both.
- There is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new NFIP policy takes effect, with some exceptions, so it can't be bought as a storm approaches.
- You can get a quote at floodsmart.gov, or ask the agent who handles your home or auto insurance.
For broader planning, see the US preparedness hub.
Limitations
This page is general information, not professional, insurance or legal advice. Always follow evacuation orders and instructions from local officials and emergency managers, and call 911 in an emergency. Evacuation zones, shelters and alert systems differ by state and county.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
A watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area; a warning means they are expected. NHC issues a watch 48 hours and a warning 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected, because preparing becomes unsafe once those winds arrive.
How do I find my hurricane evacuation zone?
The National Weather Service says to contact your local government or emergency management office. Some coastal states offer an address lookup, such as South Carolina's Know Your Zone map.
What should be in a hurricane survival pack?
Start with Ready.gov's basic kit: one gallon of water per person per day for several days, nonperishable food, a battery or hand-crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, medications, phone chargers and a backup battery, and copies of important documents. Ready.gov warns you may go days or even weeks without access to supplies after a hurricane.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flooding?
FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage; flood insurance is a separate policy. NFIP policies are sold through insurance companies and agents, and there is typically a 30-day waiting period, so it cannot be bought at the last minute.
What is an Extreme Wind Warning?
The National Weather Service issues it when sustained winds of 115 mph or higher, usually near the eyewall of a major hurricane, are expected within an hour. Take shelter immediately in an interior room of a well-built structure, away from windows.
Should I go into the attic if water is rising?
Ready.gov says to go to the highest level of the building if trapped by floodwater, but not to climb into a closed attic, where rising water can trap you.
Sources
- National Hurricane Center — Glossary of NHC Terms
- National Hurricane Center — Tropical Cyclone Climatology
- National Weather Service — Hurricane watches and warnings
- National Weather Service — What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or Hurricane
- Ready.gov — Hurricanes
- Ready.gov — Build a Kit
- South Carolina Emergency Management Division — Know Your Zone
- FEMA — Flood Insurance (NFIP)
- CPSC — Generator, carbon monoxide and fire hazards ahead of hurricane season (May 27, 2026)
- CDC — What to Do to Protect Yourself From Electrical Hazards