If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away and bring a go-kit with three days of supplies you can carry. Mobile homes and RVs cannot provide safe shelter from hurricane-force winds.
Find a shelter
The Red Cross says to check with local officials for shelter locations. It also recommends downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App to find shelters near you. Know where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay. We do not list shelters or their status because they change with each storm.
What to bring
Pack a go-kit with 3 days of supplies you can carry, including backup batteries and chargers for devices such as your cell phone, CPAP or wheelchair. Keep a one-month supply of medication in a child-proof container, keep personal, financial and medical records safe, and have a battery-powered radio. Plan how you will use powered medical equipment.
Leaving
If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away and bring your go-kit. Follow evacuation routes and do not take shortcuts, because they may be blocked. Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or plan to use public transportation. See our guide on evacuation zones.
Mobile homes
Mobile, manufactured and trailer homes and RVs cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.
If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone
The Red Cross says to decide whether to leave, move to higher ground nearby or stay home. If you stay home, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room and stay away from glass windows and doors. The NWS gives the same advice for sheltering in place. Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater.
Pets
The Red Cross page we used does not give pet-specific shelter guidance. Ask your local emergency management whether shelters in your area accept pets.
Check your own location
See current official alerts and the impact for your ZIP code.
Sources
Reviewed by the Storm Incoming editorial team on October 26, 2026. Follow local emergency officials if their instructions differ.