Hurricane generator checklist: what to do before, during and after the storm

Hurricanes can knock out power for days or weeks, and generator mistakes after storms injure and kill people every year. Ready.gov notes that hurricanes can cause major damage from storm surge, wind, rip currents, and flooding along any U.S. coast or territory in the Atlantic or Pacific. A prepared generator owner can keep food cold, phones charged, and fans running, safely. This checklist walks through each phase.

Preseason: early summer

• Test-run the generator under load for at least 30 minutes. Plug in a space heater or similar load to confirm it produces power.
• Change the oil and check the spark plug and air filter, per the manual. See generator maintenance schedule.
• Check the battery on electric-start models.
• Inspect cords for damage, and confirm you have enough heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords of adequate gauge.
• Confirm the transfer switch or interlock works, if you have one. Practice the switchover so it's familiar.
• Stock supplies: at least two oil changes' worth of oil, a spare spark plug and air filter, a funnel, a fire extinguisher, and a CO alarm with fresh batteries for every level of the home.
• Calculate your loads with our calculator, and write a simple run schedule.
• Learn the fuel math. Know your generator's gallons per hour at the load you'll actually run.

When a storm is forecast: 3 to 5 days out

• Buy fuel early. Gas stations can run out or lose power. Fill approved cans and add stabilizer if the fuel may sit.
• Fill propane cylinders if you have a dual-fuel generator.
• Refrigerator and freezer: turn them to their coldest settings. Freeze water jugs to add thermal mass.
• Charge everything: phones, power banks, power stations, and flashlights.
• Pick the generator's operating spot. It should be outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages, as Ready.gov advises, on high ground away from floodwater, and where you can refuel safely.
• Secure the generator where it won't become a projectile or flood. A locked shed or garage is fine for storage, but never for operation.

During the storm

• Don't run a portable generator during high winds and heavy rain unless you can do it safely. Going outside in hurricane conditions is dangerous. Many people wait until the worst has passed.
• Never run it in a garage, carport, porch, or under the house to shelter it from the storm. The CDC says to never use a generator inside a home or garage, even with doors and windows open.
• Rely on batteries for lights and phones while conditions are dangerous.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. FoodSafety.gov says a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for up to 4 hours, and a full freezer holds for about 48 hours.

After the storm: the long outage

• Inspect before starting. Check that the generator is dry and undamaged, with no water in the fuel or oil. If it was submerged, have it serviced before use.
• Set it up outdoors, on a dry, level surface, with the exhaust pointed away from homes. Use a generator cover designed for running units if rain continues.
• Start it with no loads attached, then add loads one at a time, starting with the largest motor, such as the refrigerator.
• Follow a run schedule. Run the refrigerator and freezer in blocks, and use fans for cooling. Load management stretches fuel when stations are closed. See load management in an outage.
• Refuel carefully. Shut off the generator and let it cool before refueling. Ready.gov warns that fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
• Check oil daily. Continuous running reaches typical 100-hour oil intervals in about four days.
• Keep CO alarms working, and check on neighbors who are running generators, especially at night.

Heat after the storm

Post-hurricane outages are often hot and humid. Use your generator for fans or a small window AC in one room, especially for older adults, young children, and people with medical conditions. Find local cooling centers if your home becomes dangerously hot.

Post-storm hazards

• Downed power lines. Stay away and report them. Assume all lines are live.
• Backfeeding. Never plug a generator into a house outlet. It can electrocute utility crews working to restore power, as well as neighbors.
• Flooded areas. Don't operate electrical equipment while standing in water, and keep cords out of puddles.
• Food safety. FoodSafety.gov says to discard refrigerated perishable foods that have been above 40°F for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Medications. Ready.gov advises discarding refrigerated medications after a day without power unless the label says otherwise, and contacting a doctor or pharmacist.

Fuel planning example

Say your generator burns about 0.6 gallons per hour at half load, and you plan to run it 12 hours a day in blocks. That's roughly 7 gallons a day. For a five-day outage, you'd want around 35 gallons, which is seven 5-gallon cans, more than many households can store safely. That's why load management matters so much after hurricanes. Running fewer hours, using a smaller inverter for overnight loads, or adding a battery power station for quiet hours can cut fuel needs dramatically. Check local fire code limits on home fuel storage before stocking up.

After power returns

1. Switch loads back to utility power, then shut down the generator.
2. Let it cool, then refuel or drain it as your manual recommends for storage.
3. Change the oil if it's near the interval.
4. Clean and inspect cords before coiling.
5. Restock fuel, oil, and supplies for the next storm.
6. Note what worked and what didn't, and update your plan.

Quick reference card

Print this and keep it with the generator:

• Outdoors only, more than 20 feet from openings.
• CO alarms on, with fresh batteries.
• Start with no load, then add loads one at a time.
• Shut off and cool before refueling.
• Check oil every refuel.
• Never backfeed.