• Gas up all vehicles
• Withdraw extra cash from bank accounts and print out updated financial statements
• Secure hurricane shutters and plywood
• Tie down saplings, lawn furniture and other outdoor fixtures that cannot be taken inside
• Store all outdoor toys, bird feeders, tools and other items in a locked shed, garage or other secure location
• Stock up on nonperishable food, bottled water and essential medications
• Add perishable items such as medications and food to the hurricane emergency kit
• Make arrangements for pets to be boarded in safe locations or prepare safety kits for them
• Cover pools, outdoor vehicles and other items with securely fastened tarps to minimize damage
• Advise concerned family members and friends about your preparations and give them emergency contact information if available
• Prepare a safe location in an interior, ground floor room with few or no windows to wait out the storm

• Stay calm and relaxed as the storm passes
• Stay indoors at all times, even as the eye passes, because flying debris and unexpected wind gusts can be dangerous
• Keep updated by watching weather forecasts, news coverage, or listening to the radio if possible
• Keep children calm by playing games or pursuing normal activities as much as possible
• As the storm intensifies, stay in the safe room and away from windows or other dangerous spots
• Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting and avoid opening it as much as possible
• Minimize telephone use and other electronic diversions that could carry lightning strikes

• After the hurricane has passed the sense of relief can be overwhelming, but additional caution is necessary to avoid dangerous situations from the storm's damage.
• Tend to all first aid needs immediately.
• Keep telephone lines clear for emergency services.
• Stay home and avoid travel to keep roads open for emergency vehicles.
• If evacuation was necessary, return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Keep pets and children in safe areas.
• Do not enter severely damaged buildings until they have been inspected.
• Report downed power lines immediately and stay clear of them. 
• Avoid overexertion that can lead to heat stroke, exhaustion and other injuries. 
• Use stored food and water if other supplies have been contaminated. 
• Be patient - it may take hours or days to restore services after a severe storm, but officials are working as fast as possible to help citizens resume their lives.
  

An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots).

• Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 knots or 119-153 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 4-5 feet above normal
• No real damage to building structures
• Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs
• Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage

• Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 knots or 154-177 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal
• Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down
• Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers
• Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center
• Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings
• Hurricane Frances of 2004 made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category 2 hurricane
• Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane

• Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 knots or 178-209 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 9-12 feet above normal
• Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures
• Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down
• Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed
• Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris
• Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more
• Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required

• Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 knots or 210-249 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 13-18 feet above normal
• More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences
• Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down
• Complete destruction of mobile homes
• Extensive damage to doors and windows
• Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore
• Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km)

• Winds greater than 155 mph (135 knots or 249 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally greater than 18 feet above normal
• Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings
• Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away
• All shrubs, trees and signs blown down
• Complete destruction of mobile homes
• Severe and extensive window and door damage
• Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline
• Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required
• Only three Category 5 Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began

Hurricane Condition 4 is declared when the forecast calls for the arrival of a tropical storm with 50-knot (58 mph) sustained winds or greater within 72 hours.

Hurricane Condition 3 is declared when the forecast calls for the arrival of a tropical storm with 50-knot (58 mph) sustained winds or greater within 48 hours.