Hurricane Season Just Started and Most Homes Are Nowhere Near Ready: Here Are 5 Things to Do Right Now
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1, and NOAA said in May it expects an above-normal season with 13 to 19 named storms. For millions of households from Texas to North Carolina, that means the window for basic prep is already open.
1. Build a basic kit before stores get crowded
FEMA says households should have enough supplies to last several days, including water, food, medicine, flashlights and batteries. The agency’s Ready campaign says a common target is at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days.
The American Red Cross also says people should keep copies of insurance cards, prescriptions and ID in a safe, easy-to-carry place. If a storm watch goes up for places like Florida or Louisiana, bottled water, battery packs and generators often sell quickly, according to past state emergency updates.
2. Check your flood risk, even if you are not near the beach
Storm surge gets attention, but inland flooding is often deadly. NOAA and the National Weather Service have repeatedly said water causes many hurricane deaths, and FEMA flood maps show risk well beyond oceanfront neighborhoods.
That matters in states like North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, where heavy rain from past storms flooded homes miles from the coast. FEMA says standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage, and the agency has not said every at-risk home is fully insured.
3. Review insurance and document your home now
The Insurance Information Institute advises homeowners to review policies before a storm is named because coverage changes cannot always be made at the last minute. Named-storm rules and waiting periods can vary by insurer and by state, including Florida.
Consumer advocates also recommend taking dated photos or video of each room, major appliances and exterior areas. That kind of record can help support claims after wind or water damage, according to state insurance departments in hurricane-prone states.
4. Make a real evacuation and communication plan
FEMA says every household should know where it would go under an evacuation order and how family members would reach each other if cell service fails. In many Gulf and Southeast states, local counties publish evacuation zones and shelter information before peak season.
The Red Cross says families should choose an out-of-town contact and plan for pets, since not every public shelter accepts animals. Officials in states such as South Carolina and Florida regularly stress that evacuation timing can change quickly once a storm track shifts.
5. Protect the house before a warning is issued
Simple property work can reduce damage, according to FEMA and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Clearing gutters, trimming weak branches and bringing in patio furniture can lower the chance that wind-driven debris damages windows, roofs or cars.
For homes in hurricane zones, experts also point to storm shutters, garage door reinforcement and roof inspections as worthwhile checks early in the season. NOAA’s forecast does not predict landfalls, but the agency has said preparedness matters every year because one storm can define a season.
