Hurricane Preparedness Checklist: Surviving the Two Weeks After Landfall (2026)

Short answer: A hurricane gives you days of warning, so the kit is less about surviving the storm and more about surviving the two weeks after it: no power, no water pressure, no open stores, and roads blocked by debris. Backup power for phones and medical devices, two weeks of water and food, documents sealed, the car fueled, and a decision made early about whether you leave or stay. NOAA expects a below-normal 2026 Atlantic season, but the season runs through November 30, and it only takes one.

The timeline

• June 1: the season opens. Restock the kit, check batteries, review insurance.
• 5 to 7 days out: a storm is named and tracked. Fill prescriptions, fuel the car, charge everything, buy the last water and food.
• 48 hours out: evacuation orders begin for coastal zones. If you are in one, leave. Board windows, move vehicles to high ground, bring in loose items.
• 24 hours out: final charge on every battery, fill tubs, freeze water bottles to keep the freezer cold longer, unplug electronics.
• After: the outage. This is what the kit is really for.

Leave or stay

If you are in an evacuation zone, in a mobile home, or in a flood-prone area, leave when ordered. Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane deaths, and it arrives faster than people expect. If you are inland and outside the zone, staying is often safer than clogged highways, but only with two weeks of supplies. Decide before the storm, not during.

The two-week kit

Backup power

• A POD X XTREME for phones and the car; keep it above the flood line.
• A Star Power 600 for a CPAP, the router, or a Starlink Mini when cell service fails; see how to keep internet on.
• A solar power bank for the sunny days after.
• A generator, outdoors only, 20 feet from windows, with a battery carbon monoxide alarm inside. CO poisoning is the leading post-hurricane killer.

Light

• A headlamp per adult, a tripod area light, a solar lantern

Water and food

• One gallon per person per day for 14 days, plus a filter for when it runs out
• Two weeks of no-cook food, a manual opener, a camp stove used outdoors
• Freeze water bottles now; they cool the freezer and become drinking water

Documents and money

• Sealed in a dry bag: ID, insurance, deeds, prescriptions, photos of every room. Cash, because card readers are down for days.

First aid and health

• The Ultimate Emergency Survival Kit, two weeks of prescriptions, insect repellent for the standing water after

Tools for the aftermath

• Axe and saw for downed limbs, shovel, work gloves, tarps and rope for a damaged roof, duct tape
• LED flares for marking hazards and downed lines; a whistle
• Battery weather radio for the all-clear and boil-water notices

The car

Fuel above half from the first watch. Jump starter in the cabin. If you evacuate, leave early with the go-bag; if you stay, park on high ground away from trees. Do not drive through flooded streets after; see the flood rules.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a hurricane kit last?
Two weeks. Outages and closed roads after a major hurricane routinely run that long.

Should I evacuate for a hurricane?
If you are in an evacuation zone, a mobile home, or a flood area, yes, when ordered. Storm surge is the main killer and arrives fast.

What is the most common cause of death after a hurricane?
Carbon monoxide from generators run indoors or in garages. Generators go outdoors, 20 feet from any opening, with a CO alarm inside.

Is 2026 expected to be a bad hurricane season?
NOAA forecast a below-normal Atlantic season, partly due to El Niño. A quiet season still produces landfalling storms, and the season runs through November 30.

Build your hurricane kit with the kit builder or shop jump starters, backup power, and survival kits. Every POD X product carries a 3-year warranty with free registration. Follow NHC and local emergency orders first.