Living close to the ocean has its many perks, but when summer transitions to fall, hurricane season threatens most homes. Beachfront properties are not the only ones at risk, as communities hundreds of miles away can be affected by the same storm. As someone who has lived in three major hurricane-risk cities, I’ve undergone my fair share of tropical storms and cyclones, learning a thing or two about best preparation practices.
The likelihood of a hurricane in the United States is very high, as, on average, the U.S. sees five hurricanes in a three-year period. Since 2020, 14% of major U.S. power outages have been caused by hurricanes or tropical storms. For those who live on the coast, it’s not a question of if but when.
Also: 7 ways to prep your tech for the coming storms
The best way to be prepared for a tropical storm is to have an action plan. This includes researching evacuation plans and shelters, and basic preparedness by writing down emergency phone numbers and putting an emergency kit together. Here are several items to help you feel more comfortable if you choose to wait out the storm.
A portable power station
If you are looking for something that is more portable than a generator and don’t want the hassle of dealing with gasoline, propane, or diesel fuel from a generator, a portable power station is your best option. Usually powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or solar panels, a power station can be used indoors to recharge smaller devices and appliances such as phones, laptops, or medical equipment.
With a 4085.6Wh capacity, the Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 can power heavy-duty devices up to 3000W. Operating at just 30dB, this power station barely makes noise and fully charges in two hours with 6*SolarSaga 200W solar panels or by connecting it to a wall outlet. The advanced cooling system makes it high-temperature, shock, and fire-resistant.
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A storm tracker website
During a hurricane, making informed decisions is crucial. Items you already own, such as a tablet or a smartphone, can help you stay out of harm’s way by allowing you to track and keep up with a storm. Here are some of the best apps and websites you can keep an eye on if you’re in high-risk hurricane areas to keep informed.
If you want to know a projected hurricane path or whether there are any threats of storms, cyclones, or hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific and the Atlantic, the NOAA National Hurricane Center website is the best website to bookmark on all your devices. The National Hurricane Center is the central source most applications use as a data source and offers the most up-to-date information about where a hurricane is heading or how its behavior might change.
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A flashlight
While your phone flashlight may seem enough in your regular day-to-day, a physical flashlight is an essential tool in an emergency kit. In addition to lighting the way, a bright flashlight is a great tool to help find people who require rescue or want to signal for help. Remember, your phone flashlight may not shine bright enough in case of an emergency or may even run out of battery extremely quickly.
The rugged design of the Fenix PD36R Pro is made of anodized aluminum for extra durability, and it boasts a replaceable, rechargeable 5,000mAh battery. A single charge offers more than 40 hours of use.
In our lab testing, the Fenix PD36R started out at an impressive 3,618 lumens. The flashlight was also able to shine at a distance of 414 yards, which is plenty of distance for the average person.
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Rechargeable batteries
Most emergency tools use batteries, which means having top-performing rechargeable batteries in your emergency kit is a must. Whether to power walkie-talkies or radio or even to replace your flashlight’s battery, keeping extra batteries as backup is vital. Here are some of the best ones we recommend.
With a 4.5-star review on Amazon, the POWEROWL AA rechargeable batteries are a favorite to many, including ZDNET’s Jack Wallen, who stumbled upon the batteries during the pandemic and now claims them as his “go-to batteries”. These batteries have a 2800mAh high capacity and can be recharged over 1,200 times. The pack comes with a POWEROWL smart battery charger that constantly checks the conditions of the batteries and can charge one or all eight batteries simultaneously.
Review: I took a chance on these rechargeable batteries and now they’re my go-to
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Hurricanes will sweep anything in their path and often come with little preparation time or warning, which means the time to prepare for one is now. While there may be no current hurricane threats in your area, stay vigilant through the National Hurricane Center and gather all the essentials you need before, during, and after a hurricane. Below are some additional items you may need during a storm.
You never know the extent of damage a hurricane can cause to your house, neighborhood, or city. Therefore the best way to prepare is by creating different plans for various scenarios. Some ways the CDC recommends planning include:
- Establish an emergency evacuation route: Create emergency evacuation routes to nearby shelters or towns that are not under an evacuation mandate, and make sure you always listen to authorities about whether or not you should stay home. This also includes writing down emergency phone numbers in multiple locations and areas of your house.
- Prepare your car: Before a storm hits, make sure your car has a full tank and is parked in a secure location. You never know when you will have to leave in a hurry or when you may be able to fill your tank again.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit: Gathering emergency supplies is essential when preparing for a hurricane. Keep an emergency supply kit in your car and in your home. Supplies that can keep you and your family safe include food and water supplies, medicine supplies, emergency power sources (radio, flashlight, power banks), and personal items or documents.
- Talk with your family: Whether you live by yourself or with a group of people, make sure people in your immediate circle are aware of your plans. Talk through where you will spend the hurricane, your emergency evacuation plans, and how you will communicate in case of power outages or any severe aftermath.
Make sure you charge all your gadgets in advance, and keep an eye on the weather. If you are evacuating your home before a storm, make sure you unplug all of your appliances and devices.
In the United States, hurricane season is typically from June 1 to November 30, although storms and cyclones can occur before or after. Late August to September are considered the worst months for hurricanes. This time of year is considered the Atlantic Hurricane Season and often affects the Caribbean, Central America, as well as South and East United States.
