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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 12 to 17 named storms for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. With climate change causing hurricanes to intensify in strength and speed, reliability is more important than ever. And for Wirecutter staffers from Florida to New York, many of the picks in this guide have proved themselves during hurricanes time and again. The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 flashlight and versions of the Black Diamond Spot headlamps have lit our paths since 2017, and the Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon has been our portable water-storage pick for eight years running.

If you’re riding out a hurricane at home, the most crucial items to have on hand 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.

Continue reading about the best hurricane preparedness supplies and strategies, written by Doug Mahoney & Joshua Lyon.