According to NOAA, we’re looking at above-average hurricane activity this year, making it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. For 2022, NOAA forecasts a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes. They predict these ranges with 70% confidence. 

These are scary statistics, but the reality is that you can weather the storm with the right emergency prep plan in place. Whether evacuating in anticipation of severe hurricanes or hunkering down to power through, you can do it all with the proper preparation.

Weathering the Storm With Goal Zero

Goal Zero is no stranger to hurricanes. We donated products to both Core Response and Team Rubicon last fall to support their on-the-ground efforts after Hurricane Ida in Louisiana. Core Response used our products to ensure they could provide essential services and disaster relief to the area. Team Rubicon worked to supply portable power solutions to those affected by the storm. Years before, we partnered with Reliant to provide solar panels, power stations, and lights to those living in Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Our products are designed to empower you to power your passions, but they can also be used in emergencies as home backup systems and on-the-go power supplies. Everything from our Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Light to our Yeti 3000X serves a purpose in a crisis.

Say you’re stuck in a closet during the eye of the storm with your kids. Our Yeti 500X + Lighting Kit lights up that space and charges your essentials so your little ones can read, draw, or watch movies on their tablet for some necessary distraction.

If the incoming hurricane is less severe and you’re told to stay at home, our Yeti 3000X + Home Integration Kit + 600-Watt Power Supply powers your necessary appliances for a full day. This kit keeps your fridge running and your medical devices powered. 

Still, evacuation is often necessary with severe hurricanes. In this situation, preparing to leave your home with a full tank of gas and a few essential Goal Zero items for on-the-road emergencies is crucial. The Venture Jump, Torch 500, Yeti 1000X, and Sherpa 100AC are critical in this case. While the Venture Jump saves you from a dead car battery, the Torch 500 lets you see what you’re doing under the hood, and the Yeti 1000X and Sherpa 100AC keep your phones and tablets charged up. 

Besides being prepared with Goal Zero on your side, there are a few crucial steps to follow before, during, and after the storm. 

Before The Storm

• Secure any outdoor items that could become airborne.
• Identify a safe and comfortable place to hunker down.
• Develop and practice a communication plan with your family. Designate a familiar emergency meeting location.
• Review your insurance coverage and take pictures of your home or building inside and out.
• Gather necessary supplies like water, your First Aid Kit, flashlights, tarps, plastic bags, tape, sandbags, shutters, plywood, hand tools, a generator, and batteries. 
• Fully charge cell phones, laptops, portable power stations, and other electronics.
• Top off your vehicle’s gas tank.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

During The Storm

• Stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Keep books, tablets, or toys close to occupy your children as needed, and don’t forget backup power and lights.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed if windows shatter from high winds or debris.

After The Storm

• Utilize your family communications plan or contact FEMA or the American Red Cross if separated from your family.
• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and immediately report them to your local utility company.
• Check for any structural damage outside of your home and take pictures.