Home › Help › How to Prepare Your Car for a Hurricane

How to Prepare Your Car for a Hurricane

A 10-step pre-hurricane car checklist: fuel, location, evacuation kit, documents, and storm-day moves to protect your car and keep you mobile.

⏱ 2–4 hr🔴 Do 3+ days out🛠 Easy

📋 Quick Facts

Time
2–4 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Steps
10
Cost
$50–$200

Hurricane prep for a car has two goals: keep it from getting destroyed, and keep it usable if you need to evacuate. Both depend on actions taken days before the storm, not the day of.

⚠ ImportantNEVER drive through standing water. Six inches stalls most cars. A foot floats them. Two feet sweeps SUVs off the road. "Turn around, don't drown" - the cliché is correct.

✅ The Checklist

  1. Fill the gas tank 3-5 days before landfall 🔴 CriticalStations sell out 48 hours before predicted landfall. Top off any spare cans (legally up to 5 gallons in approved container).
    Time
    15 min
    Cost
    $60
  2. Move to higher ground, away from trees 🔴 CriticalPark on the highest ground you can reach. Avoid spots under large trees, power lines, or near loose objects that could fly.
    Time
    30 min
    Cost
    Free
  3. Or move to a parking garage 🟠 ImportantTop floors of public garages survive most storms. Avoid ground floors that can flood.
    Time
    30 min
    Cost
    $10–$30/day
  4. Don't park in a low-lying flood zone 🔴 CriticalInsurance won't cover storm-surge flooding in some policies. Check FEMA flood maps.
    Time
    10 min
    Cost
    Free
  5. Charge phones + buy a battery pack 🟠 ImportantPower often out 5-7 days post-storm. A 20,000 mAh battery keeps phones alive.
    Time
    5 min
    Cost
    $25
  6. Document insurance + take photo evidence 🔴 CriticalPhoto VIN, plates, odometer, exterior, interior. Email yourself.
    Time
    15 min
    Cost
    Free
  7. Save policy info to phone + paper 🔴 CriticalInsurance card, agent number, claim hotline. Paper backup in glove box.
    Time
    5 min
    Cost
    Free
  8. Stock emergency kit + extra water 🔴 CriticalStandard kit + 1 gallon per person per day + 3 days food + cash. Power outages kill ATM and card systems.
    Time
    1 hr
    Cost
    $80
  9. Plan evacuation route + alternates 🔴 CriticalPrint physical map. Have 2-3 alternate routes. Major highways gridlock in evacuation.
    Time
    30 min
    Cost
    Free
  10. Roll up windows + lock + retract antenna 🟠 ImportantLast-minute. Sounds silly but flying debris finds open windows.
    Time
    2 min
    Cost
    Free
💡 Pro TipTake 360° video of your car (exterior + interior + VIN plate + odometer) before the storm. Lifesaver if you need to make an insurance claim later.

Car acting up before the trip?

Get an AI diagnosis ranked by probability for your exact year/make/model - in 30 seconds.

🔬 Run AI Diagnosis · $5.99 →

🔗 Related Guides

How-To
Emergency kit for car
Checklist
Road trip car prep
How-To
How to check tire pressure
How-To
How to check coolant level
How-To
How to store a car long-term
Symptom
Why won't my car start

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I prep my car for a hurricane?
3-5 days before landfall, before fuel stations and stores sell out.
Should I evacuate or shelter in place?
Follow local evacuation orders. If unsure, evacuate - your car can be replaced, you cannot.
Is comprehensive insurance enough for hurricane damage?
Comprehensive covers wind and flood damage to the car. Verify with your agent - some policies have surge exclusions.
Can I drive through 6 inches of water?
No. Modern cars stall at 6 inches and short out electronics. A foot can float a car. Turn around.
What if my car got flooded?
Don't start it. Water in the cylinders causes catastrophic damage when cranked. Get it towed to a shop, document with photos, file claim immediately.
Should I tape my windows?
No. Tape doesn't prevent breakage and may make cleanup harder. Park away from debris-prone areas instead.
Get an AI diagnosis for $5.99Ranked causes · parts · steps
Diagnose →