Life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast means sunshine, salt air—and smart storm prep. This guide keeps it simple and coastal: what to do before, during, and after a storm so your family can ride out several days with limited food, power, or communications.
1) Know Your Risk & Your Zone
- Find out if you’re in an evacuation/surge zone and how you’ll get alerts from local officials.
- Track forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and your local NWS office.
Learn more: NOAA Hurricane Prep, NWS planning tips.
2) Build a Coastal-Ready Supply Kit (3–7+ days)
- Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day (more in summer heat and for pets).
- Food: shelf-stable items, manual can opener, baby/medical diets as needed.
- Meds: 7–14 days of prescriptions; first-aid kit and key medical documents.
- Power & light: flashlights/headlamps, spare batteries, battery banks for phones.
- Documents & cash: IDs, insurance, titles, contact list—stored waterproof and backed up to the cloud.
- Hygiene & cleanup: wipes, trash bags, soap, bleach, work gloves, tarps.
- Comforts: kids’ items, pet supplies, books/games, small cooler/ice packs.
Ready.gov guidance on building a kit and FEMA hurricane prep checklists.
3) Home & Property Before the Storm
- Trim limbs, secure outdoor furniture, board/cover windows, and photograph your home and contents for insurance.
- Stage sandbags for low spots; clear gutters/drains; charge batteries and power banks.
- Top off fuel and propane; know how to shut off water, power, and gas if instructed.
- Boats/RVs: move to safer moorings or trailer tie-downs; remove loose gear.
4) Generators & Carbon Monoxide Safety
- Run portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet from doors/windows/vents.
- Install battery CO alarms; never use grills/stoves indoors or in garages.
CDC: CO poisoning prevention; post-storm generator safety tips.
5) If You’re Told to Evacuate
- Leave early; take go-bags, meds, documents, cash, and pet supplies.
- Share your route and destination with family; avoid flooded roads (Turn Around, Don’t Drown).
6) If You Shelter in Place
- Stay in an interior, windowless room on a level not prone to flooding.
- Keep phones charged; conserve batteries; get updates by radio/app texts.
7) After the Storm: Health & Cleanup
- Heed local guidance before returning. Treat all downed lines as live; beware of debris and standing water.
- Food safety: when in doubt, throw it out. If power was out >4 hours, discard perishable fridge foods.
- Water: follow boil notices; disinfect and dry wet areas promptly to prevent mold.
- Wounds & water: avoid flood/surge water; clean any cuts immediately; seek care if redness, swelling, fever, or blisters develop.
- Click for: Asbestos Risks During Cleanup
CDC: post-hurricane health & food/water safety.
Downloadables & Trusted Resources
- Ready.gov: Build a Kit
- FEMA: How to Prepare for a Hurricane (PDF)
- NOAA: Hurricane Preparedness
- NWS: Hurricane Safety Tips
- CDC: Hurricane Safety (Before/During/After)
- CDC: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Last updated: September 2025
