Hurricane Season: Stop the Idiocy, Prepare
By Lori Grimmace · 7/15/2025
Don't Be a Statistic: Actually Prepare for Hurricane Season, People
Another year, another predictable wave of panic as hurricane season looms. Frankly, the annual hand-wringing is tiresome. We’re receiving the same question every single year: “What should I be doing?” And the answer remains stubbornly consistent: something more than updating your profile picture with a worried emoji.
Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. This isn’t a suggestion box; it’s a directive. Hurricane season is coming. And if you’re relying on last-minute grocery store runs and vague hopes that the storm will magically shift course, you’re setting yourself up for disaster.
We received a reader inquiry echoing the perennial question, and the response, frankly, shouldn't even need to be written. Yet, clearly, people aren’s getting the message. So, here's a checklist – and consider it the bare minimum. No excuses.
First, Know Your Risk – and Understand It. Don't just assume you're "safe" because you live inland. Storm surge and flooding are increasingly unpredictable. Find out if you’re in an evacuation zone. Know your zone. If you don't, you’re gambling with your life and the lives of your family. Understand those dreary NOAA warnings, too. "Hurricane Watch" doesn’t mean "go have a picnic.” It means pay attention.
Next, Your Home Isn't Fort Knox. That flimsy awning you installed five years ago? It's not protecting you. Review your insurance – and don’t just glance at it. Read it. Are you adequately covered for wind and flood damage? Regularly inspect your home, roof, windows – and trim those overgrown trees. Seriously, do it. A falling limb can cause more damage than you think. Secure those patio chairs, too. They become projectiles.
The Emergency Kit? More Than a Thought. A box of granola bars and a flashlight isn't a kit. It's a snack pack. We’re talking at least three to seven days worth of supplies. Water is paramount – one gallon per person per day. Non-perishable food, a comprehensive first-aid kit, medications, a hand-crank radio because power outages are guaranteed. Don’t forget the cash; ATMs disappear faster than common sense in a crisis.
And a Plan? Don't tell your family you hope you're safe. Plan. Evacuation routes? Designated out-of-state contact? Practiced and discussed? This isn’t a suggestion; it's basic responsibility.
Look, this isn’t about instilling fear. It's about avoiding preventable suffering. Stop waiting for the headlines and start taking action. Because a hurricane doesn't care about your excuses. It’s time to treat hurricane preparedness with the seriousness it deserves, before you end up regretting your inaction.
Resources to Actually Use (Finally):