Hurricane checklist

Last reviewed 2026-10-21

A checklist you can print and work through before and during hurricane season. It's general preparedness information based on Ready.gov and National Weather Service guidance, not advice about any one home.

Download the checklist (text file)No email needed.Prints only the checklist, without the site menu or the email form.

Before hurricane season

When a hurricane watch is issued

  • Follow updates from the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service office.Learn more: Watches and warnings explained (opens weather.gov)
  • Fill your car's gas tank and charge your phone and backup batteries.
  • Bring in outdoor furniture and tie down anything that could blow away.
  • Check on neighbors who may need help.

When a hurricane warning is issued

After the storm

Records to gather

Make copies of each one. Keep them in a secure, password-protected digital space, and keep a list of where everything is.Learn more: Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (opens ready.gov)

  • Photo ID, like a driver's license Don't have it? Ask your state's driver's license office.Learn more: Replace lost ID (opens usa.gov)
  • Social Security cards Don't have it? Ask the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov).Learn more: Replace lost ID (opens usa.gov)
  • Birth certificates Don't have it? Ask the vital records office in the state or territory where the person was born.Learn more: Replace lost ID (opens usa.gov)
  • Passports Don't have it? Ask the US Department of State (travel.state.gov).Learn more: Replace lost ID (opens usa.gov)
  • Insurance policies for your home, flood, wind and car, and your agent's phone number Don't have it? Ask your insurance company or agent for a copy.
  • Deed or lease Don't have it? For a deed, ask the office that records deeds in your parish or county, often the clerk of court. For a lease, ask your landlord.
  • Mortgage papers Don't have it? Ask the company you send your mortgage payments to.
  • Receipts for large purchases and home repairs Don't have it? Ask the store or the company that did the work. Your bank or card statements may also help.
  • Home inspection, wind mitigation or roof reports, and permits, if you have them Don't have it? Ask the company that did the report. For permits, ask your city, parish or county building office.
  • Medical information and prescriptions Don't have it? Ask your doctor or pharmacy.
  • Phone numbers for your bank and credit cards, and some cash Don't have it? The number is on the back of your card or on your statement.
  • Important phone numbers, written on paper Don't have it? Write them down now and keep the list with your supplies.

Based on Ready.gov, USA.gov and FEMA's Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (ready.gov/emergency-financial-first-aid-kit).

Sources: Ready.gov "Hurricanes" (ready.gov/hurricanes) and "Safety Skills" (ready.gov/safety-skills); NOAA National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center (weather.gov, nhc.noaa.gov). US government information; not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.

Also based on: FEMA's FloodSmart.gov (floodsmart.gov/get-insured/buy-a-policy) and DisasterAssistance.gov; Ready.gov "Make a Plan" (ready.gov/plan) and FEMA's Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (ready.gov/emergency-financial-first-aid-kit); USA.gov (usa.gov/replace-vital-documents); and the Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov). Last reviewed 2026-10-21.

Louisiana GOHSEP (gohsep.la.gov) and Florida Division of Emergency Management (floridadisaster.org).

Information from US federal and state government agencies and from nonprofit organizations. KAVO360 is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by any of them. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.

General information only. KAVO360 isn't an emergency alert service and doesn't issue watches or warnings. The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center are the official sources for watches and warnings. Always follow local officials and evacuation orders.

Want to see what's mapped for your address?

Check my address

This explains FEMA map labels only. It is not an official FEMA flood zone determination or an elevation certificate. Check the official map at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov).

Find help in your state

We list emergency management and insurance department links for every state, DC and Puerto Rico. For Louisiana and Florida, we also list more detailed resources, and we plan to add more states over time. The national links below have information for all 50 states, DC and US territories.

National resources

These links go to government and program websites. KAVO360 isn't affiliated with any of them and doesn't decide who gets help. Each program sets its own rules.

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Hurricane checklist · KAVO360