Hurricane Safety

Hurricane season isn’t over — Are you ready?

October is here, but Atlantic hurricane season continues through Nov. 30. NOAA’s updated 2026 outlook calls for below-normal activity, with 7–13 named storms, including 2–6 hurricanes and 0–2 major hurricanes, over the full season. Even a quieter season can bring a dangerous storm to your community. Stay prepared and follow local forecasts and emergency alerts.

Know your risk and make a plan

Start by understanding the hazards where you live, including storm surge, high winds and flooding. Find out whether your home is in an evacuation zone or an area prone to flooding.

You don’t have to live on the coast to be at risk. Hurricanes and tropical storms can bring heavy rain and dangerous flooding hundreds of miles inland, even after winds weaken. Flooding can also occur in areas that don’t normally flood.

If officials tell you to evacuate, follow their instructions promptly. You may not need to travel far, but choose a safe destination outside evacuation zones and flood-prone areas. Plan more than one route and account for pets, medications, transportation and mobility needs. Knowing where you’ll go and how you’ll get there can help you act quickly when a storm threatens.

Think beyond the storm

Dangers don’t end when the storm passes. After a hurricane, the environment can still be deadly:

• Downed power lines
• Power outages
• Life-threatening heat
• Issues with medical devices
• Traffic accidents and impassable roads

These indirect risks can be just as dangerous as the storm itself.

Members, share these Safe Electricity resources to help you and those you serve prepare:

• Hurricane preparedness kit graphic
• Hurricane preparedness infographic
• After a hurricane infographic
• Safety tips before, during and after a hurricane
• Medical devices plan during an outage
• Hurricane prep video
• Using a generator video
• Electrical hazards before and after a storm video

Author:
Erin Hollinshead
Executive Director of Safe Electricity