Hurricane
Safety Tips
Know Your Risk Hurricane Weather Impacts
Hurricanes bring severe weather that can cause significant damages and threats to human life. Understand these weather impacts now and prepare to manage how they may affect your family and community.
What You Can Do Today
Prepare for this Hurricane Season
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Have several ways to receive free, real-time emergency alerts - sign up for NY-Alert and emergency alerts today.
Make a Plan
Create a family emergency plan and build a personalized emergency supplies kit that fits your household needs.
Attend a Training
Sign-up for a free Citizen Preparedness Corps training for NYS residents on tools and resources to prepare for emergencies.
Emergency Notifications
Recognize Warnings and Alerts
Hurricane WATCH
Continue to monitor local weather and news stations for updates and make sure your emergency alerts are 'turned on' in your phone settings.
Winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within a specified area in the next 48 hours.
Hurricane WARNING
Complete your preparations to stay safe, monitor your local weather, follow instructions issued by local/state officials, and know your evacuation zone.
Extreme winds of 74 mph or higher are expected within a specified area in the next 36 hours.
Storm Surge & Evacuation WARNINGS
Leave an area NOW – weather conditions are unsafe.
There is a danger of life-threatening rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the next 36 hours.
Know Before You Go EVACUATION ZONES
Consider your personal risk, learn about your communities evacuation zone and plan your emergency evacuation route options today.
Learn More Additional Resources
Preparedness
CDC Guidance: CDC safety guidelines on what to do after a hurricane or other tropical storm.
FEMA Hurricane Hazard Guidance (PDF): FEMA's hurricane hazard guidance document with before, during and after safety information.
FEMA Flood Map Service Center: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorizes flood zones based on risk levels. Look up your community to determine your flood zone status.
Hurricane Safety: Additional preparedness and safety resources from the American Red Cross.
#HurricaneStrong Family Hurricane Preparedness Guide: This guide provides information to help you, your family and community prepare for this hurricane season - #HurricaneStrong.
NOAA’s Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper: Find out today if you are at risk for flooding and plan accordingly.
Weather and Emergency Alerts
NY-Alert: NY-Alert is New York State’s free Mass Notification System used to warn citizens of emergencies quickly to help protect lives and keep New Yorkers safe. Sign up today.
National Weather Service Alerts (NYS): The alerts web page displays NWS watches, warnings, advisories, and similar products for all of NYS. Sign up today.
FEMA Mobile App: The FEMA app allows you to receive real-time weather alerts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards, and more. Sign up today.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based only on a hurricane's maximum sustained wind speed.
Insurance
National Flood Insurance Program: check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for hurricane AND flood insurance. The NFIP is an additional coverage for flood damage that homeowners insurance typically does not typically cover.
Video Resources