Hurricane season starts June 1. Here’s what residents of Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, and beyond should do right now — before a storm has a name.
If you live in Baldwin County, you already know the drill. The wind picks up, the sky turns green, and suddenly every hardware store from Daphne to Gulf Shores is sold out of batteries, water, and generators.
This year, don’t be caught scrambling.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and while forecasters are projecting some uncertainty in storm activity, emergency managers up and down the Gulf Coast are consistent on one thing: the time to prepare is before you see the cone on the map.
Here are 10 things — many of them less obvious — that Baldwin County homeowners should do right now.
1. Photograph your home before the storm
Walk through your house today and take photos and video of your roof, windows, appliances, HVAC system, and valuables. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends this so you have documented proof of pre-storm conditions if you need to file an insurance claim. Don’t forget your outdoor equipment — including your generator, if you have one.
2. Set up more than one way to receive weather warnings
Your phone’s weather app is a start, but it’s not enough. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends at least two independent alert sources. A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio is one of the most reliable backups when cell service is spotty — which it will be.
3. Have a plan for your pets before you need one
Baldwin County has a large number of households with dogs, cats, and even livestock. Some emergency shelters don’t accept animals without documentation. Get your pets’ vaccination records in order, identify pet-friendly hotels or shelters along your evacuation route, and have crates ready to go.
4. Back up your important documents digitally
Flood water doesn’t care about your filing cabinet. FEMA notes that even homes that survive wind damage often see paperwork ruined by flooding. Scan your IDs, insurance policies, deeds, prescriptions, and financial documents to a secure cloud service and a portable USB drive you keep in your go-bag. If you keep originals at home, store them high up in waterproof bags — not in a floor safe.
5. Know your evacuation route — even if you live inland
This isn’t just for beachfront homeowners. NOAA data shows that many hurricane-related deaths occur inland, due to flash flooding and rising rivers — not storm surge. Whether you’re in Orange Beach or Robertsdale, map out your route and know which roads flood first.
6. Withdraw cash before the storm arrives
ATMs, card readers, and bank branches can go offline for days after a major storm. FEMA and the American Red Cross both recommend keeping small bills on hand for gas, food, and emergency supplies — because after a direct hit, “cash only” signs go up fast.
7. Review your insurance — especially flood coverage
Most standard homeowners and renters policies don’t cover flooding. FEMA, NOAA, and the CDC all recommend reviewing your coverage now, because flood insurance typically has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. If you’re not covered, June 1 may already be too late.
8. Pre-decide what will make you evacuate
This one sounds simple, but it saves lives. The National Weather Service strongly recommends deciding in advance what storm category, forecast track, or official order will trigger you to leave — so you’re not making that call at 2 a.m. with a Cat 3 bearing down and traffic backed up on I-10.
9. Prepare and stock your emergency kit now
Your kit should be ready to grab and go — not assembled in a panic when the shelves are empty. Pack several days of nonperishable food and water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a hand-crank radio, phone chargers, and basic hygiene items. Emergency managers say to build it now, before prices spike and supplies run short.
10. Make sure your home has backup power — and that it works
This is the one people put off the most, and the one they regret the most. A home standby generator isn’t just about keeping the lights on. It keeps your refrigerator running, your medical equipment powered, your air conditioning going in the August heat — and your family safe when the grid goes down for days.
Unlike portable generators that require fuel runs and manual setup in the middle of a storm, a home standby generator kicks on automatically within seconds of an outage. For Baldwin County families, that difference can be everything.
Is your home ready for hurricane season? Jubilee Generator is Baldwin County’s home standby generator specialist. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation — before June 1.
