By: Prime Realty Group | Your Top Local Real Estate Experts

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and on the Alabama Gulf Coast, that’s not a season to take lightly. The best time to prepare isn’t after a storm forms in the Gulf, it’s now, while the forecast is calm and you have time to think clearly.

Whether you’ve lived in Mobile for years or just closed on your first home here, here’s what every homeowner on the Gulf Coast should have in place before hurricane season peaks.

1. Build a Disaster Kit

Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, you’ll need supplies to get through the storm and the days after. A basic kit should include:

• Water and non-perishable food
• A battery-powered or NOAA weather radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• A first aid kit
• Cell phone chargers (including a portable battery pack)
• Prescription and non-prescription medications
• Eyeglasses and contacts
• Important family documents (copies of insurance policies, IDs, deeds)

For a full checklist, visit ready.gov/kit. The City of Mobile also publishes a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide (PDF) worth saving to your phone before the season ramps up.

If you’re shopping for supplies, Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs the last full weekend in February, a good time to restock before the season even begins.

2. Don’t Forget a Kit for Your Pets

Pets need their own emergency supplies, and it’s easy to overlook until the last minute. A pet kit should include:

• A several-day supply of food and water, plus bowls
• Any medications your pet needs
• A leash, harness, or carrier for safe transport
• Copies of vaccination records (many shelters and hotels require them)
• A recent photo of your pet, in case you’re separated
• Familiar bedding or a toy to reduce stress
• ID tags and, ideally, a microchip with current contact info

Not every evacuation shelter accepts animals, so it’s worth identifying pet-friendly shelters or hotels along your evacuation route ahead of time, not after a storm is already forming.

3. Know Your Home’s Risk and Evacuation Zone

Not every property in Mobile or Baldwin County carries the same storm surge or flood risk. If you’re a homeowner, or you’re house hunting this fall, it’s worth understanding where a specific property sits relative to flood zones and evacuation areas before a storm is bearing down.

You can look up your evacuation zone here. Note that the City of Mobile doesn’t issue evacuation orders directly, those come from the State of Alabama, but the City shares that information as it becomes available.

4. Write Down Your Plan

Talk through your hurricane plan with your household before you need it. At minimum, decide on:

• A family meeting place, including one out of town
• Your evacuation route (plan more than one)
• Where you’ll shelter, a friend or relative outside flood-prone areas works fine; you don’t need to travel hundreds of miles
• A plan for pets
• A written list of emergency contacts and utility numbers (the internet may not be reliable during or after a storm)

Ready.gov has a simple framework for putting this on paper.

5. Protect the Property Itself

Beyond personal supplies, a few home-specific steps go a long way:

• Trim trees and remove dead limbs before storm season
• Know where your main water and gas shutoffs are
• Photograph your home and belongings now, for insurance purposes, before you ever need to file a claim
• Review your homeowner’s insurance policy, and ask specifically about flood coverage, since standard policies often don’t include it

If you’re unsure what your policy covers, this is worth a call to your agent well before a storm is in the forecast, not during a watch or warning.

6. Stay Informed Through Reliable Channels

During hurricane season, information moves fast, and not all of it is accurate. Stick to official sources:

• National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov
• National Weather Service Mobile: weather.gov/mob
• Mobile County EMA: mobilecountyema.gov
• Text MOBILEALERT to 226787 for Mobile County EMA alerts
• Text MOBILEEMERGENCY to 91896 for City of Mobile alerts
• Download the MCEMA app (Apple | Google Play)

A battery-powered or NOAA weather radio is still one of the most reliable tools if cell service or power goes down. Mobile’s NOAA station is KEC61 at 162.550.

7. Know Who to Call

Keep these numbers somewhere you can find them without power or Wi-Fi:

• Alabama Power outages: 1-800-888-2726, or text OUT to APCOUT
• Mobile 311 (non-emergency city requests): cityofmobile.gov/311
• Mobile Police (non-emergency): 251-208-7211
• MAWSS (water/sewer emergencies): 251-694-3165
• Spire Gas customer service: 800-292-4008 (dial 911 for gas emergencies)
• ALDOT road status: algotraffic.com

The Bottom Line

Hurricane season is simply part of life on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and the homeowners who fare best are the ones who prepare before the forecast gets urgent. A solid kit for your family and your pets, a written plan, and a clear understanding of your property’s risk can make all the difference when a storm is approaching.

If you’re buying or selling in Mobile or Baldwin County this season, Prime Realty Group can also help you understand a property’s flood zone, insurance considerations, and storm history as part of your decision, not just after closing.

Navigate the Market Safely with Local Experts

Every real estate scam relies on three things: urgency, confusion, and emotional pressure. Working with experienced professionals ensures your transaction moves safely through verified channels every step of the way.

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling land, or expanding an investment portfolio on the Alabama Gulf Coast, rely on the award-winning leadership at Prime Realty Group | KW Mobile.

Stephen Hickman | Founder & REALTOR®, a multiple-time Mr. Keller Williams honoree and 5 Million Dollar Club member, leads a team that has grown from two people into a full-service Mobile real estate organization.
📞 (251) 802-1923

Devin Schaff | REALTOR®, a Quadruple Gold Keller Williams Award winner recognized for Most Families Helped, with deep experience helping buyers and sellers, including FSBO sellers.
📞 (251) 404-1669 | ✉️ Devin.Schaff@kw.com

Prime Realty Group | KW Mobile | Serving Mobile, Baldwin County, and the Alabama Gulf Coast.