Before a storm, residents in Gulf Coast and Southeast communities can usually get free sandbags from city or county public works departments, rent or buy storm shutters and plywood from local hardware stores, and check their city's website for storm debris pickup schedules. Start with your safety plan first, then move on to protecting the home.
When a storm is tracking toward your area, it's tempting to feel like there's a single checklist that covers everything. A lot of the fastest, most effective preparation steps come from resources already available in your own community. Knowing where to look now, before a storm is on the radar, can save you a scramble later.
Here's where to start, and where to find help close to home.
Before boarding a single window, make sure your family knows the plan. Look up your county's evacuation zone on your local emergency management website: this is usually a quick search for "[your county] evacuation zone map." If you're in a zone that's likely to be called for evacuation, decide now where you'd go and how you'd get there, and keep a small bag ready with medications, chargers, copies of important documents, and a few days of clothing. Local emergency management offices also post real-time shelter openings and evacuation orders, so bookmark that site or follow their social accounts before storm season ramps up.
Flooding is one of the most common hurricane risks, and sandbags are one of the simplest ways to redirect water away from doors, garages, and low points around your home. Most cities and counties in hurricane-prone areas offer free, self-serve sandbag stations at fire stations, public works yards, or designated community lots; often with sand and bags provided, sometimes with volunteers to help fill them. Search "[your city] free sandbags" or check your local government's emergency preparedness page. These stations tend to get busy fast once a storm is named, so it's worth checking your city's site early in the season to know the location before you need it.
Plywood, pre-cut hurricane panels, and storm shutters are typically available at local hardware and home improvement stores, and many stores sell out quickly as a storm approaches. If you don't already own shutters or panels, measure your windows now and pick up materials early in the season rather than waiting for a watch or warning. Home improvement stores in hurricane-prone regions often post cutting guides or offer to cut plywood to size on the spot; it's worth asking. If boarding windows isn't something you're comfortable doing yourself, some local handyman services and community volunteer groups offer help, especially for elderly or disabled residents.
Before and after a storm, many cities adjust their regular trash and yard waste pickup schedules -- either pausing service ahead of the storm or adding special storm debris pickup afterward. Check your city or municipal waste provider's website for storm-specific announcements, since schedules can shift with little notice. Clearing loose yard debris, planters, and lightweight furniture before the storm arrives helps prevent flying debris, so it's worth doing a yard sweep as soon as a storm enters the forecast, using your city's regular collection or a local disposal site.
A few places are worth bookmarking before hurricane season begins: your county emergency management website, your city's public works or sanitation page, and your local hardware store's storm prep page if they have one. Many counties also have text or email alert systems for storm updates -- signing up now means you'll get real-time information without having to search for it later.
Where can I get free sandbags before a hurricane? Most cities and counties in hurricane-prone areas provide free sandbags at fire stations, public works locations, or designated community sites. Check your city or county's emergency management website for the nearest location.
Who boards up windows before a hurricane? Boarding windows is typically something residents handle themselves using plywood or storm shutters from local hardware stores. If you need help, some communities have volunteer groups or handyman services that assist residents who can't do it on their own.
Does trash pickup change before a hurricane? Yes, many cities adjust regular trash and yard waste pickup before and after a storm, and some offer special storm debris collection. Check your city's waste management website for the current schedule.
Storm prep goes faster when you know where to look. Take care of your family's safety plan first, then tackle the resources above to protect your home. And if you notice a maintenance concern around your home while you're prepping -- like a loose gutter or a door that doesn't seal tightly -- go ahead and submit a request through your resident portal so your MainStreet Maintenance® team can take a look before the storm arrives.
For a Hurricane Prep List, please see our latest blog here.