When a hurricane evacuation happens, a lot of travelers find themselves in hotels far from home, wondering if they really picked the safest spot. Hurricanes can wreck buildings, knock out power, and block roads. Hotels aren’t always built to stand up to the worst storms. Honestly, the safest move is to pick a sturdy hotel in a low-risk area, follow any evacuation orders, and know exactly where you’ll shelter inside the building.
A hotel might protect you from wind and rain, but your safety depends on the storm’s strength, how the building’s made, and how ready the staff is. Big glass windows, which you see in many hotel rooms, can shatter in strong winds. Sometimes guests need to move to interior spaces, like ballrooms or hallways, away from windows and exterior walls.
If you understand the risks and know what to do before, during, and after the storm, you can seriously lower your chances of getting hurt. This guide walks you through checking hotel safety, prepping your room, and what to do if things get worse.
Understanding Hurricane Risks in Hotels
Hurricanes bring severe wind damage, flooding, and power outages that put hotel guests at risk. The danger level depends on how strong the storm is, the building’s structure, and where it sits compared to the coast or flood-prone spots.
Types of Hurricanes and Their Impact
Experts use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to rate hurricanes from Category 1 (74–95 mph winds) up to Category 5 (157+ mph winds).
- Category 1–2: These storms might damage roofs, break windows, and cause short power outages.
- Category 3–5: These are major hurricanes. They can rip off roofs, collapse walls, and leave buildings unsafe for weeks.
Storm surge is actually more dangerous than wind much of the time. If your hotel is near the shore, flooding could be a problem even if the building holds up against the wind. Heavy rain can also cause flooding farther inland, cutting off evacuation routes or trapping people inside.
Hotels built to newer hurricane codes usually hold up better, but no building is truly safe if a huge hurricane hits directly.
Differences Between Hurricane Watch and Warning
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions might happen in the area, usually within 48 hours. That’s when hotels should check their emergency plans, tie down loose stuff, and let guests know about possible risks.
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected, usually within 36 hours. At this point, hotels may move guests to safer interior areas, get emergency supplies ready, and work with local officials in case they need to evacuate.
| Alert Type | Meaning | Timeframe | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch | Possible conditions | ~48 hours | Prepare |
| Warning | Expected conditions | ~36 hours | Act/evacuate |
Knowing what these alerts mean helps guests figure out when to get ready and when to act fast.
Hotel Vulnerabilities During Major Hurricanes
Hotels often have big windows, glass doors, and open lobbies that just aren’t great in strong winds or if debris starts flying around. High-rise hotels get stronger winds on the upper floors, so those can be riskier during big storms.
Power usually goes out, and backup generators might only keep the basics running. Elevators are often shut down for safety, which can be rough if you’re on a high floor.
If you’re at a coastal hotel, storm surge flooding can wreck the lower floors and block exits. Even hotels farther inland might flood if they’re near rivers or just have bad drainage.
Some hotels have reinforced safe rooms or windowless ballrooms for shelter, but those fill up fast during hurricane season.
Evaluating the Need to Evacuate
You’ll need solid info to decide if you should leave your hotel during a hurricane. The building’s safety, local conditions, and official instructions all matter.
Recognizing Evacuation Orders
Local or regional authorities issue an evacuation order when staying put could get you killed. They base these calls on the storm’s strength, flooding predictions, and how safe the infrastructure is.
You should check official channels like government websites, emergency alerts, and local news. Social media rumors? Not the best source—those can lead to dangerous decisions.
Evacuation orders come as mandatory or voluntary.
- Mandatory: You have to leave, by law.
- Voluntary: You’re advised to go, but it’s not enforced.
Hotels usually pass these orders along through room phones, texts, or staff announcements. If you ignore a mandatory order, you might get trapped with no rescue during the worst of the storm.
Assessing Hotel Location and Safety
Where the hotel sits—whether it’s in a flood zone, storm surge area, or evacuation zone—matters a lot. Coastal and low-lying hotels are usually higher risk.
Ask the front desk if the hotel’s in an official evacuation zone. A lot of places have printed maps showing these zones and safe spots nearby.
How the building’s built also matters. Hotels with reinforced concrete, windowless safe rooms, and backup power might keep you safer if you can’t evacuate. But if the place is close to the shore or in a surge zone, it’s usually better to get out.
Understanding Evacuation Routes
Before you leave, make sure you know at least two evacuation routes from the hotel. Hurricanes can block roads with water, debris, or downed lines.
Pick routes that lead to official shelters or places outside the evacuation zone. Hotels often post evacuation maps in hallways or behind doors.
If you can, you should:
- Keep a go-bag ready.
- Fill up your car’s tank ahead of time.
- Follow evacuation route signs instead of GPS if roads are closed.
Knowing your routes ahead of time makes leaving faster and less stressful when it counts.
Preparing for a Hurricane in Your Hotel Room
If you’re stuck in a hotel during a hurricane, you’ll need to plan ahead to avoid risks from wind, flooding, and power loss. Safety depends on where you are in the building, having essential supplies handy, and staying up to date with good info.
Choosing a Safe Room Location
Skip rooms with big windows, glass doors, or exterior walls. Those are more likely to get hit by wind or debris.
It’s safer to be on a lower floor—just not the ground floor if flooding is a concern. Second or third floor, away from corners, is usually better since those spots have more support.
If the hotel has a shelter area like a ballroom, conference room, or an interior hallway, you should go there when things get rough. These spots usually don’t have windows and often have reinforced walls.
Quick tips:
- Don’t stay on the top floor (too windy) or ground floor (flooding).
- Stay away from glass and outside walls.
- Use inside spaces if you can.
Assembling an Emergency Kit
Power outages and supply shortages are pretty common during hurricanes. Make a small kit you can keep in your room or take to a shelter.
You’ll want:
- Water: At least 1 gallon per person per day for 2–3 days.
- Non-perishable food: Things like granola bars, canned stuff, or snacks.
- Lighting: A battery lantern or flashlight, plus extra batteries.
- Communication: Portable phone charger or power bank.
- First aid: Bandages, antiseptic, and any meds you need.
It’s smart to pack a bag with ID, cash, and important papers in case you have to leave. Earplugs or headphones help with the noise, too.
Communicating With Hotel Staff
Hotel staff usually get updates straight from local officials. Ask them where you should go during bad weather and how they’ll let you know if things change.
Make sure you know:
- Where the emergency shelter is.
- If there’s backup power for lights and phones.
- What the evacuation plan is if things get worse.
If your phone stops working, find out where staff will be for updates. Sometimes they’ll post written notices or make announcements in common areas if the power’s out.
Safety Measures During the Hurricane
When the hurricane hits and you can’t leave, you need to focus on staying in the safest spot in the building, avoiding debris, and getting ready for possible outages. Even small actions can make a big difference.
Sheltering in Place Procedures
If the hotel tells you to shelter in place, move to an interior room without windows. Big glass doors and windows can break in strong winds, sending glass everywhere.
Hotels usually send guests to ballrooms, conference rooms, or hallways in the center of the building. These spots are less exposed to wind and flying glass.
Bring essentials like water, snacks, meds, a flashlight, and your phone with a power bank. Keep your shoes on in case of broken glass or debris.
If there’s a designated shelter area, go there right away when staff say so. Don’t go back to your room until you get the official all-clear, even if it suddenly gets quiet. The eye of the hurricane can fool you—it’s just a temporary break before the winds come back.
Avoiding Common Hazards
During hurricanes, falling objects, flooding, and electrical problems are common. Stay away from balconies, exterior doors, and windows.
Don’t use elevators while the storm’s going on. If the power fails, you could get stuck. Only use stairs if staff say it’s safe.
If water starts flooding lower floors, move up—but don’t go all the way to the top floor since the roof could take a beating from the wind.
Don’t touch exposed wires or outlets that got wet. Tell hotel staff right away so maintenance can deal with it.
Managing Power Outages
Hurricanes often knock out power for a long time. Hotels might use backup generators, but those only keep the basics running, like emergency lights and fridges.
Keep a flashlight or battery lantern close. Don’t use candles—fire risk isn’t worth it.
Charge your phone and power bank before the storm. Try not to use devices unless necessary to save battery.
If the AC goes out, it’ll get hot and sticky inside. Wear light clothes and drink water if it’s safe.
Fridge food won’t last long without power. Don’t eat perishable stuff unless you’re sure it’s okay. If you’re not sure, toss it.
What to Do After the Hurricane Passes
Even after the storm, there are still plenty of dangers inside and outside the hotel. Structural damage, unsafe water, and blocked evacuation routes can all cause trouble if you’re not careful. Take it slow and check everything before you try to get back to normal.
Assessing Room and Building Safety
First, check your room for obvious damage. Look for cracks in the walls, broken windows, or water leaks. If your door is stuck or warped, don’t force it—call hotel staff for help.
Public spaces like lobbies or hallways might have hidden dangers. Wet floors can make you slip, and loose ceiling panels or fixtures can fall suddenly. Hold off on using elevators until the building’s been checked out, since power could still go out and trap you.
If you smell something burning, see exposed wires, or notice sparking outlets, tell staff right away. Don’t try to fix electrical stuff yourself. Let the hotel’s maintenance crew or emergency services handle it.
Listen for instructions from hotel management. They usually get building safety updates directly from local authorities and engineers.
Staying Informed About Evacuation Routes
Even after a hurricane moves on, some roads might still be flooded or blocked by debris. Guests really need to check the status of evacuation routes before heading out from the hotel.
Hotel staff often have the latest maps and can point out which roads are actually open. Local radio, weather radio, or official apps usually provide the most reliable, real-time travel updates. Honestly, trusting social media rumors isn’t worth the risk—those can lead you straight into trouble.
If authorities say to stay put, just listen and follow their advice. Driving through flooded roads is just not safe, since even six inches of water can make you lose control of your car.
You should also avoid bridges and overpasses if there’s visible damage or if nobody’s inspected them yet.
When travel is allowed, make sure you plan at least two alternate routes. The main one could get blocked at any time.
Keep your gas tank as full as possible, because gas stations might not be open.
Dealing With Food and Water Safety
Power outages can make refrigerated food go bad surprisingly fast. If any perishable food stays above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours, just throw it out.
Don’t eat anything that touched floodwater. Even if a package looks sealed, the outside can still get contaminated, so always wipe or wash it before opening.
For drinking and cooking, stick to bottled water if you can. If you only have tap water, check with hotel management to see if it’s safe. If it’s not, boil it for at least a minute or use water purification tablets.
Skip ice from hotel machines unless you know the water source is safe. Good food and water habits really lower your risk of getting sick, especially when medical help might not be available right away.
Additional Considerations for Travelers
If you’re stuck in a hotel during a hurricane, it’s smart to secure your personal items and get ready for possible disruptions. Knowing how to protect valuables and understanding travel insurance or hotel policies can save you a lot of stress and maybe some money, too.
Protecting Valuables and Important Documents
Keep passports, IDs, credit cards, and insurance papers in a waterproof pouch or a sealed plastic bag. That way, you’ll avoid water damage if there’s flooding or leaks.
If your room has a safe, use it for small electronics and important papers. For bigger items, just ask at the front desk about secure storage options.
Here’s a quick checklist:
| Item | Storage Method |
|---|---|
| Passport & ID | Waterproof pouch in safe |
| Cash | Divided between secure spots |
| Electronics | In-room safe or padded case |
| Travel documents | Digital copies stored securely online |
Keeping digital backups of documents in encrypted cloud storage means you can still access them if you lose the originals. It’s also a good idea to carry a small flashlight and a power bank in case the power stays out for a while.
Travel Insurance and Hotel Policies
Before you book a trip during the Atlantic hurricane season, take a close look at the hurricane-specific clauses in your travel insurance. A lot of policies actually cover things like trip interruptions, evacuation expenses, and even those unused nights if a storm forces you to relocate.
Hotels in hurricane-prone areas usually prepare with emergency plans. Sometimes they’ll offer refunds, credits, or let you rebook if officials order an evacuation.
You might find that some hotels provide shelter in reinforced spaces—think windowless ballrooms—rather than guest rooms with those big glass doors.
Make sure you check on a few things before you go:
- Refund or rebooking rules during hurricanes
- Whether the hotel follows local evacuation orders
- If meals, water, or emergency supplies will be provided
If you know these details ahead of time, you’ll be able to make faster, smarter choices if the weather takes a turn.