Hurricane Evacuation Preparedness · Free · Global
When the wind
starts howling,
it's too late to plan.
Hurricanes give you days of warning — but storm surge gives you hours to leave. RallyPack helps families build an evacuation plan, track supplies, and coordinate long before a storm forms. Free and open source.
No account required for the quiz · Always free · Open source
Storm surge can reach in minutes — the deadliest part of a hurricane
Of supplies recommended — power and water can be out for over a week
Inland, hurricane-force winds can still destroy homes and power lines
Plan for the minimum, not the promise of aid
Four things that decide how a disaster goes.
72 hours minimum
Assume your household is on its own for at least 72 hours — and build toward 7 to 14 days where wildfire, extreme heat, outages or remote access make that realistic. Help may be delayed, shelters may be full or distant, and normal services may be unavailable.
Year-round risk
Peak months are real, but dangerous conditions recur outside the historic season. Keep supplies, documents, contacts and animal plans current all year, and raise readiness when heat, drought, wind, holidays or utility shutoffs converge.
Three departure modes
Practise leaving in 15 minutes, leaving in one hour, and preparing for a 72-hour displacement — rather than one generic “pack the car” plan.
Water is a dependency
Hydrants, wells and municipal supplies can fail or be strained exactly when a fire is unfolding, and drinking-water networks are not built to suppress a wildfire at community scale. Store, protect and conserve water in advance.
Emergency numbers by region
Know the number before you need it.
Americas
High-risk areas:
Gulf Coast (Texas, Louisiana, Florida) · East Coast · Caribbean · Mexico · Central America
NOAA's National Hurricane Center tracks Atlantic and Eastern Pacific storms. Know your evacuation zone before storm season begins.
Australia & Oceania
High-risk areas:
Queensland · Northern Territory · Western Australia · Pacific Islands
Tropical cyclones form November–April. The Bureau of Meteorology issues cyclone warnings and storm surge alerts.
The six things that save lives
What your hurricane plan needs to cover.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Hurricane evacuation zones are pre-assigned by local government. Find yours now — when a storm approaches, officials issue orders by zone letter or number.
Protect Windows & Doors
Install storm shutters or board up with 5/8″ plywood. Tape does not prevent glass from breaking. Reinforce garage doors — wind entering the garage can lift the roof.
Water: 4 Liters Per Person/Day
Store at least 7 days of water per person and pet. Hurricanes can knock out water and power for a week or more. Fill bathtubs for sanitation.
Documents in Waterproof Bag
Insurance policies, IDs, medical records, and property deeds sealed in a waterproof container. Photograph your home before the storm for insurance claims.
Two Evacuation Routes Planned
Storm surge can flood coastal roads within hours. Map two inland routes — one may be underwater or blocked by debris.
Don't Ride It Out Unnecessarily
Storm surge is the deadliest part of a hurricane — water can rise 6 meters in minutes. If officials order evacuation, leave. Assume you will be on your own for at least 72 hours, and that your window to get out safely shrinks fast.
Answers
Hurricane questions, answered.
- How many days of supplies do I need for a hurricane?
- At least 7 days of water and food per person and per pet — power and water can be out for over a week.
More detail
Store at least 4 litres of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation, and fill bathtubs for washing. Add medications, backup power, fuel and a way to receive alerts if cell networks are overloaded.
- What is storm surge and why is it the deadliest part of a hurricane?
- Storm surge is the rise of seawater driven ashore by wind — it can reach 6 metres in minutes and is the leading cause of hurricane deaths.
More detail
Surge, not wind, is what makes coastal evacuation orders urgent. If officials order an evacuation for your zone, leave — a 72-hour window shrinks fast once the storm approaches.
- Does taping windows stop them from breaking?
- No — tape does not prevent glass from breaking and can create larger, more dangerous shards.
More detail
Use storm shutters or 5/8-inch plywood instead, and reinforce garage doors, because wind entering a garage can lift the roof.
- When should I evacuate for a hurricane?
- When officials issue an order for your zone — and earlier if you have mobility, medical or animal transport needs.
More detail
Hurricanes give days of warning, but storm surge gives hours. Plan two inland routes, because coastal roads can be underwater or blocked by debris well before landfall.
Sources
Every figure and recommendation on this page traces back to the agency that produced it.
- NOAA National Hurricane Center — Atlantic and Eastern Pacific storm tracks, watches and warnings
- National Weather Service — Storm surge, wind and coastal flood forecasting
- FEMA — Hurricane evacuation and shelter planning guidance
- American Red Cross — Household preparedness and evacuation guidance
Hurricane readiness
Find out how ready you really are.
The free readiness quiz scores your plan in three minutes — no account required. Then see how your neighborhood compares on the RallyPack readiness map.
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