Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. NOAA’s 2026 outlook calls for above-normal activity. The tools you need for a storm don’t fail before a storm — they fail after one, when you’re trying to buy them and every shelf within 200 miles is empty.
This checklist covers the 7-day storm window: what to have prepped before the storm arrives, what to stage when landfall is confirmed, and what to deploy when you’re in cleanup mode. We link to PTI’s full reviews for each category so you can research before you buy, not at 11 PM the night before a named storm makes landfall.
The 7-Day Storm-Ready Tool Loadout
Not every tool needs to be in your hands on Day 1. Here’s how the tool needs stack by timeline:
Days 7–4 Before Landfall: Prep Window
This is when you have time to think clearly, shop, and stage equipment. If you don’t own these tools, buy them now:
1. Portable Generator — Power for Days
The single most important storm prep purchase. Handles refrigerator, lights, window AC, phone charging, and CPAP during outages that can last 3–10 days.
- Size guide: 5,000–7,500W for essentials + window AC. 10,000W+ for central AC.
- Buy now: Full reviews, sizing guide, CO safety rules → Best Portable Generators for Hurricane Season 2026
- CO rule: 20 feet from the house minimum. Never in a garage, ever.
- Fuel: Fill gas cans now, treat with Sta-Bil. Or buy a dual-fuel model and stock propane year-round.
2. Portable Power Station — Quiet Indoor Backup
Pairs with your generator: quiet operation overnight, clean power for CPAP and medical devices, no CO risk indoors. Recharge from the generator or solar during the day.
- Recommended: 1,000–2,000Wh capacity (Anker SOLIX C1000, Jackery 1000 V2, Bluetti Elite 200 V2)
- Full reviews and wattage comparison → Best Portable Power Stations 2026
3. Cordless Chainsaw — Post-Storm Cleanup
A downed tree on a driveway is one cut away from accessible. A cordless chainsaw starts instantly when the power is out and a gas chainsaw won’t start in the heat.
- Best hurricane cleanup pick: Greenworks 80V GCS80420 (31% off, $239.99) — 1.8kW motor handles wet hardwood, 18″ bar clears most residential trees.
- Full reviews, safety guide → Best Cordless Chainsaws 2026 — Including Hurricane Cleanup Guide
- For tight overhead work: Best Cordless Pole Saws 2026
- For mini and compact cutting: Best Mini Chainsaws 2026
4. Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum — Water and Debris Cleanup
Storm surge in the garage, water under the door, debris after roof repair — a shop vac is the tool you reach for immediately after the storm.
- Best cordless (no power needed): EGO CV0905 9-gallon or Milwaukee M18 FUEL 0970-20
- Best corded value: Ridgid HD1200 12-gal ($99.98 at Home Depot)
- Full reviews → Best Cordless Shop Vacs 2026
5. Cordless Pressure Washer — Storm Aftermath Cleanup
Mud and debris from flooding is everywhere after a storm. A pressure washer gets driveways, patios, and exterior walls cleaned before mold sets in.
- Full reviews → Best Cordless Pressure Washers 2026
6. Worklights and Headlamps — Work in the Dark
Power outages mean dark. Battery-powered worklights and headlamps are essential for outdoor work after dark and indoor repairs without power.
- Full reviews → Best Tool Storage and Workshop Organization 2026
Days 3–1 Before Landfall: Stage and Test
These actions happen when the storm path is confirmed:
- Test-start the generator. Run it under load for 30 minutes. Check oil level. If it won’t start, you have time to fix it.
- Charge all battery packs. M18, 20V MAX, LXT, 56V, EGO — every battery charged before landfall.
- Fill gas cans. Have at least 5 gallons per day of expected outage. 10 gallons is a safer minimum for a 3-day outage at moderate generator load.
- Stage tools where you’ll need them. Chainsaw in the garage. Generator and transfer switch or cords ready. Shop vac accessible.
- Move vehicles to high ground. A flooded garage traps the generator. Move vehicles so the generator staging area is accessible post-storm.
Safety: CO, Power, and Water — The Lethal Three
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO kills dozens of hurricane survivors every year — more than the storm itself in many events. The rules are absolute:
- Generator goes 20+ feet from any window, door, or vent, downwind of the house.
- Never in a garage, even with doors open. CO travels through walls, under doors, and up stairwells.
- Install battery-operated CO detectors on every floor if running a generator. CO is odorless — you won’t sense it until incapacitated.
- If CO detector sounds, evacuate immediately. Call 911. Do not go back inside.
Context: Generac recently expanded a recall for outdoor power equipment with CO/auto-start risks. See: Generac Expands Pressure Washer Recall Over CO/Auto-Start Risk.
Electrical Safety
- Transfer switch required to connect a generator to your home’s electrical system. Backfeeding (connecting directly to the panel without a transfer switch) is illegal and can electrocute utility workers restoring power.
- Keep extension cords above flood level. A cord in standing water is a lethal hazard.
- Assume every downed power line is live until utility workers confirm otherwise.
Water and Chainsaw Safety
- Never cut a downed tree without evaluating tension first. A tree under compression or tension can spring when cut and kill the operator. Identify which direction the wood will move, then cut the tension relief first.
- Never cut overhead limbs alone. Use a pole saw for overhead work where possible.
- Wear full PPE for chainsaw work: chaps, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection. Post-storm adrenaline leads to skipping safety gear — don’t.
After the Storm: Cleanup Priority Order
- Secure the generator (place it properly, start it, restore power to essentials).
- Walk the property for structural damage before doing any other work. Photograph damage before touching anything — insurance documentation.
- Clear access routes first. Driveway, front walkway, emergency access paths. A chainsaw clears most residential driveway trees in 15–30 minutes.
- Address water intrusion before structural work — wet drywall and subfloor mold starts within 24–48 hours. Deploy shop vac and fans first.
- Clean exterior with pressure washer after primary repairs are complete — mud and storm debris on hard surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools do I absolutely need for hurricane prep?
At minimum: a portable generator (5,000W+ for essentials, 7,500W+ for window AC), a cordless chainsaw for tree clearance, and a wet/dry shop vac for water extraction. If you can add one more, a portable power station provides quiet indoor backup for overnight CPAP/device charging.
How much gasoline should I store for a generator?
Plan for 1 gallon per 2–3 hours at moderate generator load. For a 3-day outage running 12 hours per day: 12–18 gallons. Store in approved fuel containers, treat with Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer, and rotate the supply yearly. For extended outage planning, a dual-fuel generator with propane reserves is more practical than storing large quantities of gasoline.
Can I start a chainsaw in rain after a hurricane?
Yes — cordless chainsaws are water-resistant for normal outdoor use. However, don’t submerge the battery or let it sit in standing water. Let the tool dry before recharging. For heavy rain, consider waiting for a break — not for the tool’s sake, but for visibility and safe footing around downed trees.
When should I buy a generator before hurricane season?
Buy before June 1 — hurricane season start. Pre-season inventory is full, prices are pre-panic, and service centers are available for setup help. August and September purchases come with depleted inventory, increased prices, and no time to learn the equipment before you need it.
Is a cordless chainsaw powerful enough for storm cleanup?
Yes, for most residential storm cleanup. Modern 56V and 60V+ cordless chainsaws handle residential trees up to 12–14″ in diameter — the size of most trees downed in suburban neighborhoods. For larger trees, the Greenworks 80V GCS80420 (1.8kW) or Greenworks Commercial 82V H.O.G. (5.0kW) handles professional-scale work. See: Best Cordless Chainsaws 2026.
Do I need a transfer switch for my generator?
Yes, if you want to power circuits in your home’s electrical panel. Running extension cords from a generator works for individual appliances, but connecting to your panel requires a manual or automatic transfer switch. Transfer switch installation requires a licensed electrician and costs $300–$2,500 depending on type. Never connect a generator directly to your main panel without a transfer switch (this is called “backfeeding” and is illegal and dangerous).
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