Hurricanes – Get Prepared
Before the Atlantic hurricane season begins in June, you can take steps to ensure you are prepared.
How to prepare before a hurricane
To prepare for a hurricane:
- Prepare your emergency kits. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away
- Make a household emergency plan. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
- Know the difference between a hurricane warning and a hurricane watch
Where to get information
- Stay connected to weather alert services that share weather warnings, watches, advisories and statements:
- WeatherCAN app provides local weather alert notifications
- Weather information including public weather alerts across Canada
- Weatheradio network hosts a listing of radio weather broadcast frequencies by province or territory
- Hello Weather provides forecasts, conditions, and other weather information by telephone
- Local radio and television broadcasts will help you stay up to date with the latest local weather information
- Check if your wireless phone is compatible with Alert Ready, Canada’s emergency alerting system
Prepare your home
Preparing your home for hurricanes may take some time, which is why it is important to start before the hurricane season begins. Here are some steps you can take well in advance:
- Ensure storm preparedness in your home
- Clear drains and basins around your home
- Trim branches and cut down dead trees that may be at risk from high winds
- Ensure there is no pre-existing damage by inspecting and making repairs to your home including roofs, windows, garage doors, sump pumps and foundations
- Consider installing storm shutters to board up windows and doors
- If you live near the coast, identify a safe location in advance, inland and on higher ground, where you could go if you have to evacuate
- If you live in a mobile home:
- Position your mobile home near a natural windbreak such as a hill or clump of trees
- Anchor the structure securely. Consult the manufacturer for information on secure tie-down systems
- If you live on a farm, make a plan to protect farm animals during hurricanes
- Review your home insurance policy to see if hurricane damage is covered. If you are not currently covered, consider purchasing hurricane insurance coverage
When a hurricane is imminent
A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are expected to pose a possible threat within the next 36 hours. When a hurricane watch is issued, you should take the following precautions:
- Prepare for evacuation by keeping your emergency kit nearby
- Fill up your vehicle’s gas tank, in case you need to evacuate
- Secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose. Flying objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture can injure people and damage property
- Closely monitor the hurricane forecast
- If you are on the water, head for shore immediately
- Do not stay in a mobile home if a hurricane is imminent. Move to a more secure building before the hurricane reaches your area
- Board up windows and doors with storm shutters. Do not tape windows without storm shutters because taping can create a risk of glass shattering in larger pieces
- Evacuate if advised by authorities
During a hurricane
Hurricane warnings are issued when hurricane conditions are already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
- Evacuate if advised by authorities
- Do not go down to the water to watch the storm. Most people who are killed during hurricanes are caught in large waves, storm surges or flood waters
- Never go out on a boat during a hurricane
- Turn around - don’t drown! Avoid walking and driving through flooded areas
- If the eye of the hurricane passes over, there will be a lull in the wind lasting from two or three minutes to half an hour. Stay in a safe place on the main floor but not in the basement during this time. Remember once the eye has passed over, the winds will return from the opposite direction
- If you have to leave your home, be sure to take your emergency kit and other essential items with you. If you are comfortable with doing so, post a message in clear view, indicating where you are going and how you can be contacted
- Keep pets inside
- On a farm, depending on your location and available shelter, it may be better to leave livestock unsheltered. For more information, view our publication Emergency Preparedness for Farm Animals
Provincial information
Each province in Atlantic Canada has a website with information catered to their area. Some of the sites include practical information on preparing yourself, your family and your home for a hurricane.
After a hurricane
Once the hurricane has passed, the risk may not be over. Here are some important things to consider:
- Your home may not be structurally safe after a hurricane:
- Examine your walls, doors, staircases, and windows for damage
- Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims
- If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not enter
- Rely on the professionals to clear your home for re-entry, if you are unsure
- Do not use water that may have been contaminated
- Be aware of and prepare for additional hazards including:
- After ensuring the safety of the members of your immediate household, and if it is safe to do so, assist elderly or vulnerable members of your family, neighbourhood, or others who live nearby and may be in need of immediate assistance
- As much as possible, and if required, organize rescue measures for those in your immediate vicinity that are trapped. Call for emergency assistance if you cannot safely help them
- Be careful when leaving your home as debris such as unstable trees, downed power lines and damaged structures from the storm could create safety hazards
- Stay at least 10 m away from downed power lines to avoid electrocution
- Never use a generator inside your house or garage. Portable back-up generators produce carbon monoxide that is a poisonous, odorless and colorless gas. Keep your generator a safe distance from all structures to avoid fires and damage
- Learn more about how to prepare for power outages
- Use a flashlight to check utilities and do not shut them off unless it is clear that they are damaged. Leaking gas will smell
- Date modified: