Hurricanes can have very unpredictable paths, and no matter where they land, they can cause chaos. That’s why it’s recommended to have hurricane checklists so you can prep when threatening storms move toward the Gulf or mid-Atlantic coasts.
There are steps you can take for safety whether you’re staying put or your’e evacuating. Keep in mind that not everyone is capable of getting out of the path of the hurricane. And even if your area isn’t in the hurricane’s direct path, it may still suffer damage from storms that form off the edge of the weather event.
Preparation and knowledge are both key to getting through the worst of the hurricane and keeping your family safe.
Planning Ahead
Once weather forecasters note the formation of a hurricane, the first response for many is to buy basic necessities.
Avoid shortages by stocking up on non-perishable food items when hurricane season starts, and purchase items needed to secure your home. You should also plan multiple escape routes, just in case the main route is blocked.
Below are checklists for preparing the inside and outside of your home.
Preparing the outside of the home
- Install hurricane shutters for the windows or board them up with plywood.
- Have the roof inspected for loose shingles and flashing to prevent leaks.
- Install power outage lights that run off batteries.
- Clear the gutters of debris.
- Drain swimming pools 6 to 12 inches, but don’t drain entirely.
- Bring in lawn furniture, grills, outdoor decor, and any other items that could get blown away by high winds.
- Disconnect propane tanks and store them in the house or garage.
- Brace garage doors with two-by-fours bolted to the garage door frame.
- Make sure that all entry doors are rated to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Readying the inside of the home
- Place valuables up high to protect them from potential water damage.
- Close and lock windows, even if they’re boarded up or shuttered.
- Clean the bathtub and fill with water or use a tub liner designed to hold water.
- Fill empty plastic jugs with drinking water.
- Set the temperature on the freezer and refrigerator as low as they’ll go.
- Fill and freeze plastic jugs, placing them in the refrigerator and freezer to keep them cold longer.
- Make ice cubes and put them in a cooler when the power goes out.
- Buy freezer gel packs to supplement the ice cubes.
- Designate a safe room and keep all necessary supplies in the room along with a power outage kit.
- Keep crates and leashes at the ready for pets.
Dealing With a Power Outage
Plan for the electricity to go out during a hurricane, even if your area isn’t directly affected by it.
Power sub-stations can get wiped out by high winds, and those that aren’t as affected can be shut down without notice as a safety precaution. Make sure to have energy outage supplies at the ready to stay connected to the outside world and have visibility inside the home.
Have the following items on-hand in your kit:
- Fresh batteries
- Clearly labeled prescription drugs
- Matches kept in either a dry location or in Ziploc bags
- Candles or camping lanterns that run on fuel or batteries
- First aid kit
- Tools and supplies for emergency repairs around the home
- A NOAA weather radio powered by a crank
- Flashlights
Listen for local electric outage alerts on the radio or your smartphone to find out what areas are affected and the expected time for power to be returned to homes.
If you’re asking yourself, “The power is out, who do I call?”, we suggest contacting the non-emergency line for your area to report the electricity outage or ask for the phone number to the electric company.
Protecting Food Supply During & After a Hurricane
The increased likelihood of an energy outage after a hurricane means that food goes bad quickly because there’s no climate control in the home.
It’s best to stock up on non-perishables and foods that are easily prepared without power.
The refrigerator can protect food for at least four hours after the power goes out, but further steps need to be taken to protect the food.
- Cook and consume perishables first when possible.
- Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer unless necessary to keep them cold longer.
- Throw out foods that are at risk of going bad quickly without refrigeration.
- Freeze foods prior to the hurricane that can be safely thawed out later.
- Put foods on high shelves to keep them safe from floodwaters.
- Keep bottled water on hand.
- Buy dry ice if possible.
- Unplug all appliances, electronic devices, and equipment.
Follow the one gallon of water per person rule of thumb when determining how much water to have on hand.
Put food into coolers with ice packs if the electricity stays off for more than half a day. If the home floods, throw out all food contaminated by floodwater.
Preparing for a Long-Term Power Outage
A power outage can last for days, sometimes weeks, if the damage from a hurricane is severe enough.
Staying home during a long local power outage can be uncomfortable, but it may make more sense to stay put than to leave in some cases.
- If using a generator, make sure the exhaust is vented away from the home.
- Cook food on a gas grill if one is available.
- Use the emergency release on the garage door for in-and-out access.
- Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed during the day to keep the home cool.
- Only leave the home after crews have had enough time to clear roadways.
Preparing for a hurricane can make or break your ability to tolerate what comes afterward, especially if the electricity goes out for an extended period of time. Always practice safety first during and after a hurricane.
Below are contact numbers for Texas utilities in the event of a power outage following a hurricane in your area.
| Company | Phone Number |
| AEP Texas | 866-223-8508 |
| CenterPoint Energy | 800-332-7143 |
| El Paso Electric | 915-877-3400 |
| Entergy | 800-968-8243 |
| Oncor | 888-313-4747 |
| SPS/XCEL | 800-895-1999 |
| SWEPCO East Texas North Texas – Panhandle |
888-218-3919 866-223-8508 |
| TNMP | 888-866-7456 |
| Austin Energy | 512-322-9100 |
| Bryan Texas Utilities | 979-822-3777 |
| City of College Station | 855-528-4278 |
| CPS Energy | 210-353-4357 |
| Denton Municipal Electric | 940-349-7000 |
| Lubbock Power & Light | 806-775-2509 |
| Bandera EC | 866-226-3372 |
| Bluebonnet | 800-949-4414 |
| Bowie-Cass EC | 877-707-2232 |
| CoServ | 844-330-0762 |
| Grayson Collin EC | 903-482-7111 |
| Guadalupe Valley EC | 800-223-4832 |
| Houston County EC | 800-970-4232 |
| Magic Valley EC | 866-225-5683 |
| Medina EC | 866-632-3532 |
| Mid-South Synergy | 888-525-6677 |
| Navasota Valley EC | 800-443-9462 |
| Nueces EC | 800-632-9288 |
| Pedernales | 888-883-3379 |
| Rio Grande EC | 800-749-1509 |
| Rusk County EC | 903-657-4571 |
| Sam Houston EC | 888-444-1207 |
| San Bernard EC | 800-364-3171 |
| San Patricio EC | 888-740-2220 |
| South Plains EC | 888-741-0111 |
| Tri-County EC | 800-367-8232 |
| Trinity Valley EC | 800-967-9324 |
| Upshur Rural EC | 866-804-1674 |
| Wharton County | 800-460-6271 |
| Wood County EC | 866-415-2951 |
Note that the overall electricity rates charged by your electric company can sometimes increase following major storm damage to utility lines and other infrastructure, when a state’s Public Service Commission (or Public Utility Commission) agrees to special charges by transmission utility companies to recover their cost.
The price of energy charged by the light company should not change if you’re in a fixed rate contract, but the electricity provider will pass along the costs of the transmission and distribution utility company.
