Car-Safety Tips for a Hurricane
This advice can play a key role in helping your car get through a natural disaster
When a hurricane or strong storm system hits your area, people are affected in a wide range of ways, from direct home damage and power loss to the interruption of goods and services. The most important tip is knowing that extreme weather is no place for driving.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, 2024 is shaping up to be a very active Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The center is also forecasting some 17 to 25 total named storms, with 8 to 13 of them expected to become hurricanes.
Hurricanes and tropical storms bring rear driving risks such as hydroplaning and striking unexpected submerged objects in deep puddles, and emergency services will have their hands full. Don’t add to their challenges by driving during the storm.
That said, here are some things to consider.
Fill the gas tank. If your area loses power for days, it may be essential to drive to a shelter or travel to obtain services. In good weather, that is an easy task, but when millions of other people also need a hotel, the distance you must drive can be considerable. And in the end, you may end up sleeping in the car.
Install new windshield wipers. It’s best to replace your wiper blades so you don’t get stuck with a streaky, obscured windshield. But, if you can’t get any before the storm, at least freshen the existing ones by wiping with a paper towel moistened with window cleaner. In our tests, we have found that this simple action can often add months of service.
Check the tire pressure, including the spare. When it is time to go, you don’t want a simple flat tire to hold you back. If debris litters the streets, the chance of a tire puncture is much greater.