Hurricane Preparedness: Tips You Need to Know Before the Storm

Hurricanes are no joke, especially when you're facing down one in real time. You hear the warnings, see the stores getting wiped out, and start thinking about the list of things you need to do—and fast. Having lived in Florida, I’ve picked up some unique tips over the years that I wanted to share. Some of these might surprise you, but trust me, they can make a huge difference when the storm hits.

Protecting Important Documents

We all have those irreplaceable items—important papers, photo albums, things you can’t just grab on your way out if you need to evacuate. If you’re short on time or space and can’t take them with you, here’s a trick I learned: put them in a sealed plastic bag and stash them in your dishwasher. Why? Because the seal that keeps water in while the dishwasher runs can also keep water out if there’s flooding. That dishwasher might be one of the safest spots in your house during a storm.

Creative Ways to Keep Cool

When the power goes out and the fridge is no longer your friend, one thing I’ve found super useful is using your washer as a cooler. If you have a top-load washer (or even a front-loader to a lesser extent), fill it with ice and toss your bottled or canned drinks in there. The ice will keep your drinks cool, and once it melts, the water will just drain out like it normally would after a wash.

Water: Your Most Important Resource

Aside from drinking, we all know we’re going to need water for other things—like flushing the toilet. Fill any empty bottles or containers with water to keep in your bathroom. This way, even if the water supply is cut off, you’re not stuck trying to figure out that problem.

Forget Candles, Get Smart Lighting

While candles might seem like a cozy solution, they’re really not ideal in an emergency—especially if you’ve got pets or kids running around. Instead, look into rechargeable light bulbs. These things are game-changers. They charge up while the power is still on, and when the electricity cuts out, they work just like regular bulbs. You can also use them as portable lights with a hook that makes them easy to carry or hang. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.

Must-Have Power: The Halo Bolt

I can’t talk about hurricane preparedness without mentioning my Halo Bolt. This thing is my lifeline. I’ve had it for years—left it untouched in my car for four of them—and it still had juice when I pulled it out. Not only can it charge your devices, but it can also jump-start your car and even power small appliances like lamps or your coffee maker. When the power’s out and you need a little boost to get by, this is the tool you want by your side.

Guarding Your Home from the Wind

Even if you're not in a flood zone, the wind is a serious threat. It can do catastrophic damage to your home, especially older ones. One major thing is to keep the wind out. Make sure all windows are sealed properly, and if you’ve got cracks, cover them with masking tape to prevent them from shattering. For doors that open inward, reinforce them by wedging a bar or chair under the knob or placing furniture in front. And keep all internal doors closed—it might help slow the air pressure shifts that can damage your home.

Don’t Forget the Small Stuff

A couple of last-minute reminders:

• Take a shower and wash your hair. You might lose water for a while, and you’ll thank yourself later if you’re stuck without the luxury of running water.

• Charge up not just your phones and laptops, but also your sonic toothbrushes and water flossers. These things can hold a charge for weeks, and you don’t want to be stuck with hygiene issues on top of everything else.

• Gas up your car—you never know when you’ll need to get out of dodge fast, and the last place you want to be is in line at a gas station right before a hurricane.