Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Season began on June 1 and continues through November 30. However, the peak of Hurricane Season is mid-August through late October. With Philadelphia's recent history including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, as well as Superstorm Sandy in 2012, make sure you and your family are prepared.

Take the time now to get ready before the peak of Hurricane Season.

• Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify hurricane threats:
  • Hurricane Watch: Issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions in 24 to 36 hours.
  • Hurricane Warning: Issued when dangerously high water and rough seas are expected in 24 hours or less.
• Develop a Household Emergency Plan and give copies to everyone in your household.
• Know your evacuation route and where you will go if you need to evacuate. Consider staying with friends or family outside any flood prone areas.
• Have a Go Bag of emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate.
• For those times when it's safe to stay home, have a Shelter-in-Place Kit. Be sure to include flashlight, blankets and easy-to-prepare non-perishable food in case the power goes out.
• Keep a Health Information Card in your wallet with any medical conditions, allergies, medications and dosages.
• Keep all trees and shrubs well-trimmed to reduce wind debris.
• If you have a car, always keep the tank at least half full in case you need to evacuate.
• Find Out First with ReadyNotifyPA, the region's emergency text and email alert system.

Hurricanes can also cause severe flooding and utility interruptions. Visit the Flood Preparedness and the Utility Interruption pages for more information on how to prepare.