What to do in the 96 hours before a hurricane
The useful window closes far earlier than people think. What to do at 96, 72, 48, 24 and 6 hours before landfall, hour by hour.
A hurricane is the only large-scale disaster that announces itself days ahead. That advantage is almost always wasted for the same reason: people wait for the official warning, and by then the shelves are empty, the stations are dry and the roads are full.
96 hours out: while there is still stock
This is the only phase where you get to choose. Check what is missing from your kit, buy water and no-cook food, and confirm everyone has enough of their prescriptions with margin.
It is also the moment to decide whether you are staying or leaving, and to check whether your address sits in an evacuation zone. Looking that up after the warning is issued is too late.
72 hours out: documents, cash and fuel
- Fill the tank in every vehicle you plan to use.
- Get cash in small bills: without power there are no card readers.
- Put documents in a waterproof bag and photograph them.
- Charge power banks, laptops and any backup equipment.
- Confirm where you will meet if you get separated and who the out-of-area contact is.
48 hours out: the outside of the house
Anything loose outdoors becomes a projectile in sustained wind. Bring in or tie down patio furniture, planters, umbrellas, trash cans, tools and toys. Trim branches over the roof or the power line.
If you have window panels, this is when they go up. Doing it with wind already on you is dangerous.
24 hours out: the inside of the house
| Task | Why |
|---|---|
| Set the refrigerator to its coldest | More stored cold, more hours of safe food |
| Freeze water bottles | Ice for the cooler and drinking water as it melts |
| Fill the bathtub | Water for flushing and cleaning, not for drinking |
| Charge everything with a battery | This may be the last chance for days |
| Move valuables upstairs | If water gets in, there will be no time |
6 hours out: inside and away from windows
Once sustained wind begins, stay in the strongest interior room, on the lowest floor that is not flood-prone, away from windows and glass doors.
If you are ordered to evacuate
An evacuation order is not a recommendation. It is issued with just enough time for people to leave before roads are cut, and waiting to see whether things get worse is how people end up trapped.
Leave with a full tank, your documents, your medication and the kit you already had ready. Tell your out-of-area contact your route and destination.
- Hurricane watch vs warning: what each one means A watch says conditions are possible; a warning says they are expected. The difference is about 12 hours and it defines what you should be doing now.
- When to evacuate for a hurricane and what to take An evacuation order is not a suggestion. How to find out whether your address is in an evacuation zone, when to leave and what fits in the car.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change the price you pay or the recommendations we make.
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Portable power station
A hurricane means outages measured in days, not hours. Unlike a generator it runs indoors with no carbon monoxide risk.
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NOAA weather radio
When the mobile network drops, this is what still receives National Weather Service warnings. A crank removes the battery dependency.
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Stackable water containers
Water is the first thing to disappear from shelves and the first thing missing if the supply is cut. Storing it ahead is the part you cannot improvise.
Frequently asked questions
When should you start preparing for a hurricane?
When it appears in the five-day forecast, not when the warning is issued. At 96 hours there is still stock on shelves, fuel at stations and clear roads; at 24 hours there is not.
How much fuel should I have before a hurricane?
A full tank in every vehicle you plan to use. Stations run dry days before landfall and, if the power goes out, the pumps do not work even with fuel still in the tanks.
Does taping windows help?
No. Tape does not stop glass from breaking and it makes it break into larger, more dangerous pieces. Real protection is plywood panels or rated shutters.
What should I do with the refrigerator before a hurricane?
Turn it to its coldest setting two days ahead and freeze water bottles and ice packs. The colder the whole mass is when the outage starts, the longer the food holds.