Now more than ever, our homes have become our sanctuary. Our safe space. Understanding what extreme weather may be headed our way – and how it could impact our power supply – is crucial.
The 2024 Hurricane season wreaked havoc on communities in multiple states across the southeast. Most notably, hurricanes Helene and Milton left in their wake over 250 fatalities and more than $120 billion in damages.
While every mile of the U.S. Gulf and East Coast is vulnerable during hurricane season, some locations are more at risk of being hit in any given year.
The National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses an analysis tool that predicts if a hurricane can be expected to pass within 50 nautical miles of a specific location .
According to their models, the areas with the highest return periods for a hurricane within the next 100 years (of any category) are coastal North Carolina, south Florida and southeast Louisiana, about every five to seven years.
Probabilities for at least one major hurricane (Category 3-4-5) to make landfall
Entire continental U.S. coastline - 51%(average from 1880–2020 is 43%)
U.S. East Coast including Peninsula Florida (south and east of Cedar Key, Florida) - 26% (average from 1880–2020 is 21%)
Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle (west and north of Cedar Key, Florida)westward to Brownsville - 33% (average from 1880–2020 is 27%)
Data source: CSU Tropical Meteorology Project Team
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting.
Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for sanitation purposes.
Turn off and properly secure propane tanks.
Unplug small appliances in the rooms you do not plan to use during a storm.
Charge cell phones.
Check the yard and landscaping for any trees that should be trimmed, clear gutters and bring in outside items if they can be picked up by high winds
Fill gas cans in the event of an evacuation or to run a portable generator.
Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
Reinforce garage doors using a door bracing kit.
before local authorities recommend.
If power is out, unplug all major appliances before turning the electricity back on to minimize possible surge damage.
for possible reimbursement through insurance or government programs.
avoid flash-flooding or downed power lines.
Phone systems are often downed or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends
Check on neighbors.
Download Generac's Hurricane Preparedness Guide to have access to more safety tips, emergency checklists, and hurricane 101.