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- Special Interest
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- AwarenessEnvironmentalSafety
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- United States
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- Week starting with the 1st Sunday of May
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Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 3-9, 2026, a crucial nationwide effort to safeguard communities before hurricane season begins. Take action to create emergency plans, assemble vital supply kits, and fortify your home against potential storms. Learn about evacuation zones and stay informed with local alerts.
Want to sponsor Hurricane Preparedness Week? Learn how
Expected Hurricane Preparedness Week Deals
During Hurricane Preparedness Week, expect to see a focus on essential supplies and services that aid in disaster readiness. Retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s typically highlight sales on generators, plywood, batteries, and water storage solutions. Organizations such as The American Red Cross and FEMA often partner with local businesses for community outreach events, offering free workshops on emergency planning and distributing informational guides. Look for special offers on non-perishable food items, first-aid kits, and weather radios from various online and brick-and-mortar stores. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 3 approaches.
Platform Guide for Hurricane Preparedness Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #HurricanePreparedness. Share visual tips for building an emergency kit or securing your home.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #HurricanePreparedness. Share real-time safety alerts, evacuation routes, and official NOAA updates.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #HurricanePreparedness. Share community resources, local shelter information, and family emergency planning guides.
Hurricane Preparedness Week Hero
Dr. William Gray
History of Hurricane Preparedness Week
National Hurricane Preparedness Week was originally known as National Hurricane Awareness Week. ‘Awareness’ was switched out for ‘Preparedness’ because people can be aware of something and not be prepared for it. Thus, in 2004, National Hurricane Preparedness Week emerged as an effort to spread information to the public about how to prepare and take action before, during, and after a hurricane.
Each year, the dates for Hurricane Preparedness Week are declared, and different states sometimes set their own dates for the observance of the week. The topics for each day are also announced each year, with the ultimate goal of ensuring every family in the United States has a disaster plan, every business has a disaster checklist, and every person survives the hurricane with minimal loss or damage.
It’s no coincidence that the week is set at the start of hurricane season, which occurs from May to November. The United States has suffered many powerful and deadly hurricanes since it started recording them in 1851. The deadliest hurricane in U.S. history is the Galveston hurricane of 1900, which killed between 8,000 to 12,000 people. Hurricane Maria of 2017 is the second deadliest, causing 3,057 fatalities. Hurricanes in the United States have caused damages of up to hundreds of billions — Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey alone resulted in the loss of $125 billion.
With the amount of loss of lives and property the United States has incurred from hurricanes, it’s no wonder we need an entire week dedicated to teaching people how to stay safe before, during, and after a hurricane.
Hurricane Preparedness Week timeline
Father Benito Vines of Cuba sets up the first hurricane warning service, which is later taken up by the United States Signal Corps and the United States Weather Bureau.
On June 1, the National Hurricane Information Center is established in Miami as a warehouse for all hurricane-related information in the United States.
This is the most active decade for hurricanes in the United States, with a total of 31 hurricanes affecting the country.
National Hurricane Awareness Week is renamed National Hurricane Preparedness Week because the U.S. government realizes that awareness doesn’t always mean being prepared.
Hurricane Preparedness Week FAQs
When is Hurricane Preparedness Week?
For 2027, Hurricane Preparedness Week is observed from Sunday, May 2, through Saturday, May 8. It serves as an urgent reminder to review and update your emergency plans.
How many people live in hurricane-prone areas?
With an increasing number of people moving to coastal regions, the population exposed to hurricane risk continues to grow. Millions are urged to prepare annually for potential storm impacts.
What is the Atlantic hurricane season?
While the official season spans six months, the peak activity typically occurs between mid-August and late October. Communities are advised to remain vigilant throughout this entire window.
What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
During a hurricane watch, prepare to take action; during a hurricane warning, take immediate action to protect life and property. Warnings indicate a more imminent threat, requiring swift response.
How to Observe Hurricane Preparedness Week
Create a disaster plan
Everyone needs a written disaster plan. Your plan will answer questions about shelter, best evacuation routes, effective communication methods, e.t.c. You can tailor your plan based on the specific needs of your household and have regular meetings to review the plan with your loved ones. Observe Hurricane Preparedness Week by making sure you and your loved ones know, understand, and remember your hurricane emergency plan.
Fortify your home
Your home might be sturdy, but is it sturdy enough to handle a hurricane? Look up local hurricane building code specifications and make sure your home meets them. You can also check to see if your home insurance company covers flooding.
Gather supplies
You need to have enough supplies to make it through the hurricane period — before, during, and after a hurricane hits. From radios to flashlights and solar-powered chargers, you need to ensure you have everything you and your loved ones need to survive a hurricane. You should also regularly restock on non-perishable food, water, and medicine to last for at least three days.
5 Interesting Facts About Hurricanes
Evil wind spirit
The term ‘hurricane’ was derived from the Taino Native American word ‘hurucane,’ which means the “evil spirit of the wind.”
The 300-year-old hurricane
Planet Jupiter has a hurricane that is bigger than the Earth itself and has been spinning for 300 years.
Atomic energy
Every second, a hurricane releases the same amount of energy as 10 atomic bombs.
Hurricane Florida
At least 40% of the hurricanes that happen in the United States occur in Florida.
It’s only a “hurricane” in the U.S.
Hurricanes are only known as ‘hurricanes’ in North America — they are called ‘typhoons’ in Asia and ‘tropical cyclones’ everywhere else in the world.
Why Hurricane Preparedness Week is Important
Hurricanes have been getting worse
Because of climate change, sea levels have been rising, which means storm surges from hurricanes will be inherently worse. Until we can solve the problem, the least we can do is be prepared for it.
It’s all about saving lives and property
Hurricane Preparedness Week is about saving people by giving them the resources and tools to protect themselves. If more people knew what to do during a hurricane, we would have fewer losses of human lives. By preparing yourself and your loved ones, you are a real-life hero.
It doesn’t hurt to be prepared
The Boy Scouts’ motto “Be prepared” is truly apt. Sure, you might need to take a little timeout to read up on hurricane emergency tips, but the sacrifice is certainly worth it. Worst case scenario, you’ve learned everything and, hopefully, no hurricane hits.
Social Media Tips for Hurricane Preparedness Week
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