How to Prepare for a Hurricane: 5 Simple Ways to Get Ready Before the Storm

Hurricane season can bring unexpected challenges, from power outages and flooding to disrupted travel and temporary store closures. If you're wondering how to prepare for a hurricane, the best approach is often the simplest: start early and focus on the essentials.

Building a plan, organizing key supplies, and reviewing a few household basics before severe weather arrives can help make the days leading up to a storm feel more manageable.

Here are five practical ways to prepare before hurricane season arrives.

1. Build a Hurricane Supply Kit Before You Need It

One of the most important hurricane preparedness tips is gathering supplies before stores become crowded and inventories become limited.

Your hurricane supplies may include:

• Flashlights

• Extra batteries

• First aid supplies

• Nonperishable food

• Prescription medications

• Important documents

• Phone chargers and portable power banks

Having these essentials organized and easy to access can help reduce stress when severe weather is in the forecast.

2. Include Emergency Water in Your Hurricane Supply Kit

A well-stocked emergency kit should include essentials that can support your household if travel becomes difficult or power is unavailable.

In addition to batteries, flashlights, medications, and first aid supplies, consider keeping emergency water on hand as part of your preparedness efforts. FEMA and the CDC recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person per day, with a minimum three-day supply and up to two weeks of water when possible for extended disruptions.

Pure Life® bottled water offers a convenient option for emergency kits, vehicles, and household storage areas. For larger home supplies, Primo Water® 5-gallon bottles are a practical option, available through Primo Brands Delivery, Primo Water Exchange at retail locations, or Primo Water Refill stations near you. 

3. Plan for Extended Power Outages and Disruptions

Some disruptions last longer than expected.

Creating an emergency water storage plan can help ensure your household has access to drinking water during extended power outages or service interruptions. While single-serve bottled water is convenient for emergency kits and grab-and-go situations, larger-format water supplies can be a practical option for households preparing for longer disruptions.

For families preparing for extended outages, keeping bulk water on hand may help ensure access to drinking water when severe weather disrupts normal routines or limits access to stores.

For those looking to maintain a consistent supply year-round, Primo Brands™ Water Delivery Service provides a convenient way to keep larger water bottles readily available at home. Primo Water® Refill and Primo Water Exchange also provide convenient ways to access bulk water before a storm or replenish supplies afterward.

4. Prepare for Power Outages

Power outages are one of the most common impacts of hurricanes, which is why it's important to think beyond food and water alone.

Consider keeping the following items readily available:

• Fully charged power banks

• Backup phone chargers

• Extra batteries

• Battery-powered radios

• Flashlights and lanterns

For households that use larger water bottles, pairing a Primo Water® 5-gallon bottle with a manual water pump provides an easy dispensing solution that doesn’t require electricity.

5. Review Your Hurricane Preparedness Plan Each Year

Preparedness is not a one-time task.

At the start of hurricane season, take time to review your hurricane preparedness plan and make sure supplies are ready to go. Check expiration dates, test flashlights, replace batteries, and confirm that your household has access to emergency drinking water and other essential items.

Primo Brands™ Water Delivery Service makes having water easy and automatic. Your supply rotates on a regular schedule, so you're never starting from zero at the beginning of hurricane season.

Small updates each year can help ensure your household is ready when severe weather arrives.

Stay Ready Before the Storm

Learning how to prepare for a hurricane starts with a simple plan. By gathering key hurricane supplies, maintaining access to emergency water, and reviewing your plans regularly, you can help your household feel more prepared throughout hurricane season.

From Pure Life® bottled water to Primo Brands™ Water Delivery Service, Primo Water® Refill, Primo Water Exchange, and convenient dispensing solutions, Primo Brands™ offers practical options that can support your preparedness efforts before, during, and after severe weather events.

No matter the forecast, taking a few simple steps today can help you feel more confident tomorrow.