How to Prepare for Hurricane Helene: Home, RV, & Car [Updated September 2024]

Helene is one of the strongest hurricanes on record that slammed the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26, 2024. It has become a post tropical cyclone. With winds of 35 mph, it has become a post-tropical cyclone, knocking out power in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The Category 4 hurricane is stronger than 2023's Hurricane Idalia, which made Category 3 landfill with 155 mph winds.

Hurricane Beryl was the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season. It has now strengthened to a Category 5 storm and sets the tone for a dangerous hurricane season. Beryl swept through St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada, leaving many homeowners without power. As of July 3, 2024, Hurricane Beryl is moving toward Jamaica and is expected to land on the country's southern coast.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. While the hurricane is expected to weaken as it moves, Beryl is forecast to pass Jamaica with full force before it reaches the Cayman Islands on July 4, 2024. Therefore, it's important to prepare for hurricane season and keep essential supplies ready. Read the detailed guide to learn how to prepare for a hurricane in a house, RV, or car by following the guidelines given by the Red Cross, NOAA, Ready.gov, and FEMA.

Recap & Latest News About Hurricane Helene 

On September 25, 2024, Helene became a hurricane over the southern Gulf of Mexico. The same evening, it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on September 26, 2024. At least 59 storm-related deaths have been reported in many parts of the country, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. 

In a Facebook post by the National Weather Service, Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, said, “We are devastated by the horrific flooding and widespread wind damage that was caused by Hurricane Helene.” The authorities continued by saying that they have “no words” and “This is the worst event in our office's history” to express the number of lives lost due to the storm. 

On September 28, 2024, the remnants of Hurricane Helene continued to knock out power in many parts of the eastern US. According to PowerOutage.us, roughly 3.1 million customers were left in the dark in areas including Georgia, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. 

According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene has become a post-tropical cyclone with 35 mph winds. This means Helene does not have an organized center of circulation and is losing most of its hurricane-like features. However, the change doesn't alter much of Helene's overall threat, as it is continuing to unleash heavy flooding, rainfall, and gusty winds.

How to Prepare Your Home For a Hurricane 

Hurricanes are massive storms that often combine threats, such as high winds, heavy rainfall, rip currents, tornadoes, coastal and inland flooding, and storm surges. They can injure or kill people, pollute drinking water, and disrupt transportation. We have sourced information from the Red Cross, NOAA, Ready.gov, and FEMA to help prepare your home for hurricanes.

Before: Prepare & Stay Informed

The Atlantic and Central Pacific hurricane season officially starts from June 1 to November 30. Similarly, the eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. If you haven't yet prepared for the hurricane season, it's time to do so.

Instead of rushing for potentially life-saving preparations at the last moment, stocking up on disaster supplies and preparing an evacuation plan is essential. Here are some of the best tips to prepare and stay informed before the hurricane hits the area:

Develop an Evacuation Plan

If you live in an area at higher risk of hurricanes, you'll need to prepare an evacuation plan. You can find a safe destination near your friend's or relative's location that's well-built and outside the flood-prone area. When planning for evacuation, find several routes to reach the safe location. If you don't have a safe place to go, you can find an open shelter with the help of the Red Cross.

Here are some other resources to contact the local officials and find transportation options:

Evacuation | Ready.gov 

Find Your Evacuation Zone | HurricaneStrong  

Gather Disaster Supplies

Whether you're planning to stay at home or evacuate to a safe location, you'll need supplies to deal with the hurricane season. According to NOAA, you must gather non-perishable food, water, and medicine for at least 3 days. You will also need to keep a flashlight, extra cash, and a battery-powered radio handy. Since electricity could be out for weeks during a hurricane, you may also need a portable Jackery Solar Generator to charge essential gadgets. Here are some resources to build a disaster supply kit for a hurricane:

Build A Kit | Ready.gov 

How to Build a Disaster Supply Kit - FLASH - Strengthening Homes & Safeguarding Families 

Create a Communication Plan

Hurricanes can hit the area anytime, and connecting with family and friends can be hard. For this reason, it is advised to write down the hurricane plan and share everything with the family members. For instance, note down the places where everyone will meet, including the ones that are out of town. In addition, create a list of emergency contacts and include utilities. You can check out specific resources to develop a communication plan for your family or even find a shelter:

Make A Plan | Ready.gov 

How to Make a Family Disaster Plan - FLASH 

FEMA Mobile Products 

During: Survival

If the authorities ask you to evacuate, make sure to grab the emergency kit and leave immediately. If you're in an area where the hurricane might not hit anytime soon, you can decide whether to stay home or move to higher ground nearby.

Those planning to stay at home should remember that even if the area is protected from floodwaters, the area may lose access to power and water. So, you need to gather essential supplies and keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts.

Stay Updated With Weather Alerts

Authorities share constant weather alerts and forecast updates with residents during hurricanes. Remember, a tropical storm can quickly turn into a major hurricane. So, make sure you have Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) enabled on your smartphone to receive warnings and other alerts. A portable power supply like a Jackery Portable Power Station is handy for charging essential gear such as smartphones, TVs, etc.

Avoid Traveling

Do not travel unless you're asked to evacuate the area. You need to stay away from the regions with floodwaters. If asked to evacuate, follow the evacuation routes and avoid taking any shortcuts. Follow the "Turn Around Don't Drown" policy that indicates never walk or drive through waters or on floodwater roads.

Stay Safe From Affected Places

You should always maintain a safe distance from damaged and flooded areas. If you are at risk of flooding or storm surge, get to higher ground levels and maintain a safe distance from flood-prone areas. If your house becomes flooded, move to a higher level to escape the flood waters. When the situation gets worse, get on the home's roof and call 911.

According to NOAA, wind can also be destructive and deadly during hurricanes. If the winds are more robust in the area, put as many walls as possible between you and outside. Alternatively, you can move to an interior room without windows and cover yourself with a mattress. If the authorities have issued extreme wind warnings in the area, take shelter immediately until the threat is gone.  

After: Be Safe

Dangers can remain even if the skies are blue, which means it's not the time to put the guard down. Here are some ways to deal with the after-effects of hurricanes:

Return Only When Safe

If you've evacuated, avoid returning home until local officials have declared the area safe. If the residential area has been damaged by hurricanes or floods, it should be carefully inspected before you move in.

Clean Up Safely

Wear appropriate protective gear to clean and disinfect everything that gets wet. If cleaning heavy debris, do it with a partner and take proper training before using essential equipment like chainsaws. Make sure you do not overwork after the hurricane, as it often leads to a heart attack.

Stay Healthy

If any food has come in contact with the floodwater, make sure to throw it out or warm it before eating. If you've refrigerated medicines, you can also contact the healthcare provider for guidance. Water can also get contaminated, so make sure to avoid drinking tap water until the authorities declare it safe.

Take Care of Yourself

Once the hurricane has passed, eat healthy food and get proper sleep to deal with stress. If you need someone to talk to, contact the Disaster Distress Helpful for free at 1-800-985-5990 or simply text "TalkWithUs" to 66746.

Additional Tips to Prepare Your Home For A Hurricane

Hurricane winds can often break windows and doors. The property that comes in contact with hurricanes can be damaged after the windstorm when rain enters broken windows, roof openings, and doors. Preparing your house for hurricanes is one of the best ways to reduce the consequences of high winds and floodwaters. Here's how to prepare your house for a hurricane with the FEMA tips:  

Trim Trees: If any weak branches around the house might fall during the hurricane season, make sure to cut or trim weak trees.

Cover Windows: You need to install storm shutters to protect home windows from breakage. You can also fit plywood panels to windows nailed to wooden frames to keep them protected during storms.

Secure Doors: Make sure the doors are hurricane-proof, with at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock, which is at least one inch long. If you have sliding glass doors, make sure they are made of tempered glass and covered with shutters or plywood.

Secure Loose Items: If there are any kind of loose items outside the house, make sure to secure them so they do not fall during heavy winds.

Seal Wall Openings: Locate the wall openings, such as garden hose bibs, vents, outdoor electrical outlets, and where pipes or cables go through the wall. Then, use urethane-based chalk to seal the openings and prevent water penetration.