Hurricanes

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Information

The next big named storm to make landfall is a question of when, not if. Coastal boaters should prepare because hurricane season is here. The more you know and plan ahead, the better your chances of protecting your boat and property. Visit our extensive library of hurricane-preparation videos and read articles based on nearly four decades of knowledge from our BoatUS Catastrophe Team.

Hurricane Preparation Videos

BoatUS experts have compiled a helpful playlist of hurricane prep videos based on four decades of storm response. Video topics include how to make a fender board, how to set your boat's lines for an incoming storm, how to choose a marina for your boat to ride out a storm and much more. Get prepared today!

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Downloadable Guides

BoatUS Magazine Hurricane Preparations

The next big named storm to make landfall is a question of when, not if. Coastal boaters should prepare because hurricane season is here. In this special section, our editors have created a comprehensive guide to help you, step-by-step, protect your boat.

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BoatUS Hurricane Preparation Worksheet

This Hurricane Preparation Worksheet lays out the steps for putting a plan in place and giving your boat the best chance of beating the storm.

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Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes

Preparing a boat for a hurricane means defending against wind, rain, waves, and high water—all in proportions rarely experienced by boaters. Claim files from past storms show that damage is usually due to a combination of these factors.

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Featured Articles

1. What To Expect From A Hurricane

Preparing a boat for a hurricane means defending against wind, rain, waves, and high water — all in proportions rarely experienced by boaters.

2. Where To Keep Your Boat During A Hurricane

The best predictor of whether your boat will survive a hurricane is where it’s kept. Just as in real estate, the three most important considerations should be location, location, location.

3. How To Find And Fix Potential Breaking Points On Your Boat

The fate of your boat's security in a storm comes down to these essential and critical points in your defense strategy. Addressing them early could mean the difference between your boat surviving a serious storm, or breaking free, hitting hard objects, filling with water, and sustaining catastrophic damage.

4. How To Develop A Hurricane Prep Plan

It's said that every minute you spend planning saves 10 minutes in execution. When a hurricane threatens, you’ll be glad your plan is ready to go.

5. What To Do After A Hurricane

After a storm has passed and authorities are allowing travel, get to your boat quickly. It's your responsibility to protect your boat from further damage, and its equipment from theft, regardless of its condition.

6. Hurricane Prep Saves During Hurricane Florence

These boat owners aggressively prepped their boat for survival at the dock using proven techniques as powerful Hurricane Florence zeroed in. Here’s their dramatic firsthand story.

2023 Hurricane Season Recap

With 20 named storms, the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season will go down as tied for the fourth-busiest on record. Seven of those storms became hurricanes, three classified as “major,” meaning Category 3, 4, or 5. An average year sees 14 named storms.

There Was A Hurricane Coming To Town

There are moments in the boating life — and water over the floorboards is one of them — when problems can begin cascading, and every decision becomes crucial.

Inside A Cat-4 Hurricane

We've all marveled at NOAA's birds-eye images of tightly spun hurricanes, but have you ever wondered how it looks on the roiling seas?

How Not To Read A Hurricane Map

Maps shown in the media are often misunderstood. Be careful: Incorrect interpretation could leave you and your boat unprepared.

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Is Heating Up

Make sure you have your plan set because the latest prediction calls for an above-average season with 25 named storms and 9 hurricanes.

Storm Anchoring: A Success Story

Our Leopard 42 catamaran, Valiant Lady safely rode out three major hurricanes anchored in about 12 feet of water just off the Intracoastal Waterway in North Palm Beach, Florida. Here's how.

How To Convert UTC To Local Time

UTC is based on 24-hour military time and doesn't recognize local adjustments like Daylight Saving Time, so it's a very accurate no matter where you are in the world.

Hurricane Categories

Here's a quick recap of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and what it means for you when it comes to protecting your boat during a storm.

How Secure is Your Marina Likely to be in a Hurricane?

How some marinas are dealing with the problems of storm surge, hauling boats, and exposed locations ... What about hurricane plans?

Other Helpful Resources

Download the BoatUS App

The BoatUS mobile app offers hurricane alerts that are refreshed with every NOAA update to the forecast. Download the app now or update to the current version and opt-in to push notifications to take advantage of this feature.