Vehicle Prep List

Schedule repairs and overdue maintenance before hurricane season. Repair shops may become crowded or close when a storm approaches.

• Check the engine oil.
• Check the coolant level.
• Check the brake fluid.
• Check the transmission fluid when applicable.
• Fill the windshield-washer reservoir.
• Inspect belts and hoses for cracks, leaks, and visible wear.
• Have unusual noises, vibrations, leaks, or warning lights investigated.
• Confirm that the brakes are working properly.
• Test the air conditioning and defroster.
• Replace worn windshield wipers.
• Check the headlights and high beams.
• Check brake lights, taillights, hazard lights, and turn signals.
• Confirm that door locks, windows, and mirrors operate correctly.
• Replace missing or damaged fuel caps and charging-port covers.
• Keep the vehicle registration, insurance information, and roadside-assistance details current.

If the vehicle is already due for service, do not wait for a hurricane forecast to schedule it.

Evacuation traffic is not the time to discover a damaged tire or an unusable spare.

• Check the pressure in all tires when they are cold.
• Use the pressure listed on the driver-side door label, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire.
• Inspect the tread for excessive or uneven wear.
• Look for cuts, punctures, cracking, bulges, and exposed cords.
• Check the spare tire when the vehicle includes one.
• Confirm that the jack and lug wrench are present.
• Keep the wheel-lock key accessible when applicable.
• Carry a tire-pressure gauge.
• Consider carrying a portable tire inflator.
• Carry appropriate tire-repair equipment if you understand its limitations and know how to use it safely.
• Confirm how your roadside-assistance service handles tire failures.

Some newer vehicles do not include a traditional spare tire. Find out what your vehicle provides before depending on it during an evacuation.

Never attempt a roadside tire repair where traffic or weather makes stopping unsafe.

Florida heat can shorten battery life and expose an already weak starting system.

• Check the battery’s age and condition.
• Inspect the terminals for corrosion.
• Confirm that connections are tight.
• Pay attention to slow or hesitant starting.
• Have the battery and charging system tested if performance has changed.
• Charge and test a portable jump starter.
• Carry properly rated jumper cables as a backup.
• Review the correct jump-starting procedure for your vehicle.
• Replace a damaged, swollen, leaking, or unreliable battery.

Keep the portable jump starter where it can be reached without unloading the vehicle. Do not leave lithium-ion jump packs or power banks permanently exposed to extreme heat inside a parked Florida vehicle.

Fuel demand can increase quickly when a credible storm threatens Florida.

• Keep the tank reasonably full during periods of elevated hurricane risk.
• Top off the tank before evacuation traffic develops.
• Identify several fuel stations near home and along the evacuation route.
• Identify fuel locations along an alternate route.
• Check whether preferred stations have backup power.
• Confirm that the vehicle uses the correct fuel.
• Keep a payment method available in case card readers or mobile-payment systems are unavailable.
• Never carry fuel in an unapproved container.
• Do not leave portable fuel containers inside the passenger compartment.
• Follow local laws and fire-safety guidance when transporting extra fuel.

Do not build an evacuation plan around one fuel station. That station may be closed, out of fuel, without power, or inaccessible because of traffic.

An electric vehicle can be effective during an evacuation, but charging must be planned before departure.

• Charge the battery before evacuation demand increases.
• Identify primary and alternate charging locations.
• Check charging locations near the evacuation destination.
• Install the necessary charging-network apps.
• Create accounts before the storm.
• Confirm that payment information is current.
• Pack required adapters and portable charging equipment.
• Consider how passengers, cargo, traffic, heat, and air-conditioning use may affect range.
• Allow a larger range reserve than you would for routine travel.
• Check the availability and operating status of charging stations before departure.
• Do not depend on one charging location.
• Consider that charging stations may be unavailable during a widespread power outage.

Do not charge or operate an EV that has been submerged or appears to have battery damage. Move away from a smoking, hissing, leaking, unusually hot, or damaged battery and call 911 if it presents an immediate fire risk.

Choose equipment appropriate for your vehicle, route, abilities, and likely conditions.

• First-aid kit
• Flashlight
• Headlamp
• Reflective safety vest
• Reflective triangles or roadside markers
• Work gloves
• Rain gear
• Basic tool kit
• Tire-pressure gauge
• Portable tire inflator
• Portable jump starter
• Properly rated jumper cables
• Appropriate tire-repair equipment
• Spare fuses when applicable
• Seat-belt cutter and window-breaking tool
• Fire extinguisher suitable for automotive use
• Tow strap or recovery equipment rated for your vehicle
• Paper towels, cleaning cloths, and trash bags

Do not carry recovery equipment you do not know how to use. Improper towing and vehicle recovery can cause severe injuries and additional vehicle damage.

Keep roadside equipment accessible. A tire inflator or first-aid kit is not useful if reaching it requires unloading the entire vehicle beside a busy road.

Your vehicle may become an important charging point during an evacuation or extended power outage.

• Test every USB port and 12-volt outlet.
• Pack a working vehicle phone charger.
• Carry the correct charging cables for each device.
• Pack at least one spare charging cable.
• Charge all power banks.
• Test portable power stations before relying on them.
• Pack necessary adapters.
• Keep charging equipment where passengers can reach it.
• Avoid overloading vehicle outlets or adapters.
• Follow the manufacturer’s limits for inverters and other power equipment.

Test the cable stored in the glove compartment. Heat, age, and repeated bending can damage cables that appear usable.

Never run a vehicle inside a garage or other enclosed space to charge devices. Carbon monoxide can become deadly even when a garage door is open.

An evacuation that normally takes two hours may take much longer because of traffic, weather, road closures, or fuel stops.

• Pack drinking water for every traveler.
• Pack additional water for unexpected delays.
• Include water for pets.
• Choose nonperishable food that is easy to eat inside the vehicle.
• Include food appropriate for children and older adults.
• Account for allergies, medical diets, and dietary restrictions.
• Pack pet food when applicable.
• Bring a cooler and ice packs for temperature-sensitive items.
• Keep water and a small amount of food within reach of passengers.
• Pack a manual can opener if any food requires one.
• Include paper towels, utensils, and trash bags.

Do not permanently store bottled water, food, medication, or batteries inside a hot Florida vehicle. Stage temperature-sensitive supplies when a threat develops.

Essential medication and medical equipment should remain accessible throughout the trip.

• Pack prescription medications.
• Keep medications in their original labeled containers.
• Carry a current medication list.
• Pack first-aid supplies.
• Include medical-device supplies and backup power.
• Pack glasses, contact-lens supplies, and hearing-aid batteries.
• Include hygiene and sanitation supplies.
• Pack sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Bring comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear.
• Include rain protection.
• Prepare supplies for motion sickness or other known travel needs.
• Keep refrigerated medication in an appropriate cooler without allowing it to freeze.

Do not bury critical medication beneath luggage or place it somewhere that becomes inaccessible after the vehicle is loaded.

Keep important information together and protected from water.

• Driver’s licenses and identification
• Vehicle registration
• Auto-insurance information
• Roadside-assistance information
• Health-insurance information
• Medication and medical-provider information
• Emergency contacts
• Evacuation destination address
• Hotel, shelter, or host information
• Primary evacuation route
• Alternate evacuation route
• Copies of reservations
• Pet vaccination and veterinary records

Keep protected physical copies and secure digital backups. Download or photograph critical information before cellular service becomes unreliable.

Do not make the entire evacuation depend on one phone, one route, or one cellular connection.

• Fully charge every phone.
• Charge power banks and backup devices.
• Download offline maps for the evacuation area.
• Save the primary route.
• Save at least one alternate route.
• Carry a current paper road map.
• Save emergency contacts.
• Enable local emergency alerts.
• Identify reliable weather and traffic-information sources.
• Confirm the family communication plan.
• Designate an out-of-area contact.
• Share the destination and planned route with that contact.
• Bring a NOAA Weather Radio if available.

Confirm that someone other than the driver can monitor conditions.

Cellular networks may become congested. Text messages may go through when voice calls do not.

The vehicle must safely accommodate the people, medical equipment, mobility devices, pets, and supplies traveling in it.

• Confirm the number of passengers.
• Make sure every passenger has a working seat belt.
• Install child safety seats correctly.
• Confirm that mobility equipment fits.
• Confirm that medical equipment fits and can be secured.
• Keep medication accessible.
• Keep water and appropriate snacks within reach.
• Pack comfort items for children and older adults.
• Plan regular rest and bathroom stops.
• Confirm that every traveler knows the destination.
• Make sure another person can drive if possible.
• Never place loose equipment where it could strike a passenger during sudden braking or a collision.

Pets should be safely restrained and included in the loading plan.

• Carrier or crate
• Leash and harness
• Collar and identification
• Food and water
• Bowls
• Medication
• Waste bags or litter supplies
• Vaccination records
• Veterinary information
• Bedding or a comfort item
• Current photograph of each pet
• Cleaning supplies
• Pet-friendly hotel, shelter, or destination information

Confirm that carriers and pet supplies physically fit after the rest of the vehicle is loaded. Do not allow a pet to ride loose in a cargo area or vehicle bed.

Load the vehicle before the last possible moment so you can identify space, weight, visibility, or access problems.

Keep these items accessible:

• Documents
• Medications
• Phones
• Charging equipment
• Water
• Travel food
• First-aid supplies
• Flashlights
• Rain gear
• Pet leashes
• Roadside emergency equipment

Use the cargo area for:

• Luggage
• Additional water
• Food supplies
• Coolers
• Preparedness supplies
• Pet supplies
• Larger equipment

Secure heavy objects so they cannot shift during sudden braking or a collision. Do not stack cargo high enough to block the driver’s rearward visibility. Do not exceed the vehicle’s payload or towing limits.

For a complete packing system, use the Hurricane Evacuation Car Kit guide to separate permanent roadside equipment from the water, food, medications, documents and other supplies that should be loaded when evacuation becomes likely.

When a storm could threaten your area:

• Check the National Hurricane Center forecast.
• Monitor local emergency-management information.
• Confirm your evacuation zone.
• Review your evacuation plan.
• Confirm where you will go.
• Reconfirm hotel, shelter, family, or friend arrangements.
• Review the primary and alternate routes.
• Check road and bridge considerations along both routes.
• Complete outstanding vehicle maintenance.
• Inspect the tires.
• Check the battery.
• Fill the fuel tank or increase the EV charge.
• Charge the jump starter and power banks.
• Begin staging vehicle supplies.
• Check prescription medications.
• Download offline maps.
• Confirm that emergency equipment is present.
• Test charging cables and adapters.

If evacuation is becoming likely:

• Fill the fuel tank or fully charge the EV.
• Recheck tire pressure.
• Check fluid levels.
• Charge phones and power banks.
• Load medications and medical equipment.
• Load protected documents.
• Load water and travel food.
• Load clothing and hygiene supplies.
• Load pet carriers and supplies.
• Load roadside emergency equipment.
• Secure every piece of cargo.
• Reconfirm the destination.
• Check current traffic and road closures.
• Review the primary and alternate routes.
• Confirm that every household member is ready.
• Tell your out-of-area contact when you expect to leave.
• Park the vehicle where it can depart safely.

Before pulling out:

• Check current evacuation instructions.
• Confirm that the destination is still available.
• Review traffic, weather, and road closures.
• Confirm the fuel level or EV charge.
• Connect and charge the navigation phone.
• Account for every household member.
• Secure children in appropriate safety seats.
• Secure pets in carriers or restraints.
• Confirm that medications are onboard.
• Confirm that documents are onboard.
• Confirm that water and food are onboard.
• Confirm that emergency equipment is onboard.
• Verify that nothing essential remains on the roof or outside the vehicle.
• Secure all cargo.
• Lock the home.
• Close the garage.
• Send the departure time and planned route to your designated contact.

Leave before heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, or traffic make travel more dangerous.

Floodwater hides curbs, potholes, washed-out pavement, debris, and changes in road depth. It can disable or move a vehicle more easily than it appears from the driver’s seat.

During Hurricane Irene in 1999, I flooded my Chevy S-10 after deciding that I could drive through what looked like a small puddle. It was much deeper than it appeared, and the water was enough to flood the truck.

That experience stayed with me. If water covers the road, turn around and find another route. The few minutes you think you might save are not worth losing the vehicle or becoming stranded in moving water.

Before using the vehicle for reentry or recovery:

• Check official reentry information.
• Review road closures.
• Check fuel and charging availability.
• Walk around the vehicle and inspect it for damage.
• Inspect the tires.
• Look underneath for storm debris, leaks, or hanging parts.
• Check the fuel level or EV charge.
• Clear debris from around the exhaust pipe.
• Restock water and first-aid supplies.
• Recharge phones, power banks, and the jump starter.
• Replace anything used during the evacuation.
• Do not start or charge a vehicle that was submerged without professional guidance.

Watch for:

• Floodwater
• Downed power lines
• Fallen trees
• Broken glass and sharp debris
• Washed-out roads
• Sinkholes and damaged shoulders
• Nonfunctioning traffic signals
• Emergency vehicles and utility crews
• People walking or cycling around blocked roads

Treat a nonfunctioning traffic signal as a four-way stop unless law enforcement directs otherwise.

Review this checklist throughout hurricane season, not only when a named storm appears.

Maintain the vehicle. Rotate stored supplies. Recharge batteries. Replace expired items. Keep emergency contacts and evacuation routes current.

A reliable vehicle gives you more options. It allows you to leave earlier, avoid preventable roadside problems, and concentrate on getting everyone to safety.

Read the Vehicle Preparation Guide for detailed guidance on maintaining and preparing your vehicle.

Use the Vehicle Loadout Guide to organize equipment, supplies, and cargo.

Review Vehicle Readiness when departure may be approaching.

Use Evacuation Planning to decide where you will go, which routes you will take, and when you should leave.

Return to Hurricane Bug Out Checklists for the complete hurricane-season master checklist.

If your vehicle will remain parked during the storm, read Where Should You Park Your Car During a Hurricane? to compare flood, wind, and debris risks before choosing a location.