Hurricane guide: Preparing and recovering from a damaging tropical storm

Immediate steps you can take to avoid getting caught off guard. | READ

The storm is getting closer, and likely will have a local impact. Now what? | READ

Words to know: Water, food, food storage, cooking, serving | READ

Dos and don'ts before and after a major tropical storm hits your landscape | READ

How to safely use your generator when a storm zaps the power. | READ

If a huge force of nature with the energy of several hundred hydrogen bombs comes barreling toward the Lowcountry, residents should be prepared for decisions and deadlines. | READ

A high intensity hurricane in Beaufort County could cause flooding, major damage to buildings and require mass evacuations. Not all hurricanes would bring such destruction, though. The National Weather Service groups hurricanes into five categories based on their wind speed. | READ

Vacations often lead to late-in-life moves to Hilton Head Island. The result: one-third of residents are older than 65, according to census data. | READ

Getting ready for a hurricane doesn’t just mean boarding up your windows and loading your home with supplies. Preparing your phone with applications that can help you weather a storm could make it your most effective tool. | READ

You've heard the weather people saying these things. Know what they mean: | READ

Pet owners should keep their animals’ needs in mind as they make hurricane preparations, particularly when deciding where to go during an evacuation. | READ

Beaufort County officials want to make sure residents know the correct procedures when returning to the county after an evacuation. Here’s what you should know. | READ

Beaufort County residents should call emergency management division of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to find out when it is safe to return home after an evacuation. | READ

If the cost of improvements or the cost to repair a damaged building exceed 50 percent of the market value of the building, the entire building must be brought into compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program requirements. | READ