.jpg)
The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies
Hurricanes have terrifying power, and because of their sheer scope and unpredictability, each one presents variables that are totally out of your control. How destructive will it be? Will it shift direction and come right at you? Will you have to evacuate? As unsettling as these questions are, there’s a lot you can do to get ready for one of these megastorms, from staying informed to making sure you have the right gear and completing a few relatively simple home improvements.
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is officially upon us and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that 2021 will be another above-normal season. Last year produced the most storms on record, with 30 named storms, 13 of which became hurricanes and was the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal hurricane season, (Hurricane Laura alone caused $19 billion in damages).
While NOAA doesn’t anticipate another historic year in 2021, here’s what they do expect to happen from June 1st through November 30th: “A likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).” Even a slow-moving tropical storm can become a threat: “[They] can produce 10 or 15 inches of rain over a big area and produce a lot of inland flooding,” said Gerry Bell, PhD, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, in a conference call (MP3) with reporters.
The most important items to have on hand for a hurricane are the things that will help you communicate with the outside world, find your way in the dark, and protect your belongings. “Be prepared for some primitive living without power for a while,” said Claudette Reichel, a building science specialist at Louisiana State University who trains housing professionals on disaster resilience as well as on hurricane and flood recovery.
December 3, 2023
Wirecutter
Wirecutter’s mission is to recommend what really matters. Each year, we independently test and review thousands of products to help you find just what you need. Our goal is to save you time and eliminate the stress of shopping, whether you’re looking for everyday gear or gifts for loved ones.
We strive to be the most trusted product recommendation service around, and we work with total editorial independence. We won’t post a recommendation unless our writers and editors have deemed something the best through rigorous reporting and testing.
Explore More Content
Media Mentions
It absolutely works like a charm whether you’re sitting in the backyard or hiking deep in the woods.
.png)
Media Mentions
If you have some that isn’t pre-treated with permethrin, you can buy some to spray on your own netting/clothing before use.
Media Mentions
“We tested this bug repellent on park outings and used it for a long day of yard work. It earns high marks for effectiveness, keeping us protected from any bug bites, even despite exposure to sweat,” The Spruce says.
From the Squad
Campfire conversations with our community, from Squad Members and Ambassadors to Brand Partners and the Sawyer team.
