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Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons: emergency guide

Hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical cyclones are massive storm systems characterized by dangerous storm surges, catastrophic winds, extreme rainfall, and severe coastal and inland flooding.

... info "In-depth hurricane resources on hurricane.guide" For comprehensive hurricane tracking, interactive checklists, seasonal preparation, and regional storm guides, visit our dedicated sister site hurricane.guide.

Do this now

  1. Follow all official evacuation orders issued by local emergency management authorities immediately.
  2. Know your zone: determine if your home is located in a coastal or low-lying storm surge evacuation zone.
  3. Bring all outdoor furniture, loose garden items, trash cans, and tools indoors to prevent them from becoming airborne missiles.
  4. Fill vehicles with fuel and stock your home with a 7-day supply of drinking water, non-perishable food, and essential medications.
  5. Board up windows with exterior storm shutters or 16 mm (⅝ inch) exterior-grade plywood. Never use masking tape on glass.

Storm surge hazards

Storm surge (the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds) is the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities.

  • Evacuate early: Storm surge waters rise rapidly and cut off evacuation routes hours before the center of the storm arrives.
  • Never stay in coastal zones: Vertical evacuation into upper floors of coastal homes is unsafe if the structure's foundation can be undercut by wave action.
  • Inland flooding risk: Tropical storms carry heavy rain hundreds of kilometers inland, causing severe riverine and flash flooding long after landfall.

Shelter during high winds

If you are not under an evacuation order and are sheltering in a sturdy building:

  • Move to an interior room: Stay in a windowless interior room, hallway, or closet on the lowest floor above potential flood levels.
  • Beware of the eye of the storm: If the calm eye of the hurricane passes directly overhead, weather will temporarily clear. Stay indoors. Violent winds will resume suddenly from the opposite direction.
  • Shut interior doors: Close all interior doors and secure exterior doors to balance structural wind pressure.

After the storm

  • Avoid downed power lines: Treat all fallen wires as live and dangerous. Report them immediately to utility companies.
  • Generator safety: Operate gas generators outdoors only, at least 6 meters (20 feet) away from doors, windows, and vents.
  • Water safety: Assume tap water is unsafe until official boil water advisories are lifted.