Below is a list of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Storm Names:

Which one or two of these storms are going to be ‘the big one’?  Devastating storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Rita were all Category 5 hurricanes that created devastation for people living in hurricane prone states.  If you are waiting without being prepared for the next potential devastating hurricane of 2026, you and your family could be risking everything you own.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1^st to November 30^th.  Even though June 1^st has passed (Tropical Storm Arthur is already on its way), now is the absolute best time to prepare for the next hurricane.  Why wait until the hurricane center announces a hurricane is approaching and you have less than 48-72 hours to prepare for the safety of your family?  For one thing supplies are easier and more cost effective to purchase in advance.  If you wait until the last 48 hours before a hurricane landfall to shop for those supplies, the likelihood of those key supplies being available is hugely diminished.  Prepared families are safer families!

Weather experts recommend that your early preparation should include two steps.  Step 1 is to gather (or create) your emergency essentials:

1. 1. Create or keep a list of your emergency contacts and your personal identifications.   Phone numbers, addresses and your important documents, including medical information, wills, passports, and other identification information should be on this key list(s).

1. 1. Locate or identify your nearest shelter.  Shelters like hotels or other places you can go during an evacuation will be unavailable if you wait until the last minute.

1. 1. Start preparing your emergency supply kit.  Start with the essentials – food and water supplies.  One gallon of water per family member per day.  That translates to 12 gallons of water for a family of four for three days – more gallons of water if you plan to have a seven-day supply.  Gather non-perishable food – enough for at least seven days.  Canned items and foods that do not need to be refrigerated or cooked (if the power goes out) such as peanut butter and granola bars.  Disposable utensils are recommended.

1. 1. Beyond the essentials, we recommend having batteries in bulk (at least a dozen different sizes of each type).  Flashlights, a battery powered radio that lights, phone chargers and multiple lighters or waterproof fire starters.  A good, robust first aid kit is recommended along with extra blankets or sleeping bags for each family member.

Step 2 is to prepare your home – NOW!

1. 1. Plan for the safety of your yard items – Identify a safe place to store your lawn furniture, grills, bikes, and other materials inside or under your shelter. When its time to act, you will know which yard items to store and where to store them.

1. 1. Cover your windows – stock up on plywood and put the panels in the garage.  When the time comes, nail your plywood to your windows and doors.

1. 1. Fill your car’s gas tank.  Keep your vehicle’s gas tanks full and to be safe, purchase extra containers of gas and store them in your garage.  Gas can be scarce when a hurricane threat has been issued, so purchase it in advance.

1. 1. Put an emergency evacuation kit in the trunk of your car in advance of a potential evacuation.

If you need more planning or preparation advice before the next hurricane, we got you covered.  Our website (https://family-preparedness.com) has multiple resources to help you prepare.  Think you are already prepared or an experienced hurricane survivor?  Free advice is available on our website’s hurricane webpage or take our 10-question hurricane quiz here: (https://family-preparedness.com/hurricane-preparedness).    Need more detailed planning advice?  Check out our Hurricane Preparedness Tiny Course.  It is only $27 and takes about 10 minutes to complete.  You can find that resource on page 2 of our tiny courses webpage: (https://family-preparedness.com/tiny-courses-main-menu/).

The earlier your family starts preparing for the next 2026 hurricane, the better off you will be because you will have all of your supplies in place before the last-minute madness begins.  At a minimum, build or assemble your resources in stages as we have recommended above. Start with Step 1 and next month add Step 2 to your plan.  Your family will be well ahead of all of those last-minute or unprepared families that do not plan at all!