Storm Preparedness: An Old Rhyme—and a Modern Warning

Mark B
Jun 1
3 min read

"June too soon,

July stand by,

August look out you must,

September remember,

October all over.”

This 19th-century mariner’s rhyme, published in Richard Inwards’ Weather Lore, was never meant to be poetry for poetry’s sake. It was survival advice—simple, memorable, and meant to stick when it mattered most.

And that’s exactly how we should treat it today: not as nostalgia, but as a warning.

The Problem with Waiting

The rhyme suggests a buildup—that danger arrives later, peaks in August and September, and fades by October. That mindset still quietly shapes how people prepare. And it’s where many go wrong. Storms don’t wait for you to feel ready. They don’t follow tradition, and they don’t care if you planned to “get supplies next week.”

In reality:

· Storms can form before the season feels real

· They can intensify faster than expected

· And they can hit after people have let their guard down

Preparedness delayed is preparedness denied.

What the Rhyme Gets Right—and What It Doesn’t

Yes, August and September are still the most active months. That hasn’t changed. But almost everything else has. The season often starts earlier than June. Dangerous storms still occur well into October and beyond. Warmer waters are helping storms strengthen more quickly.

The takeaway isn’t that the rhyme is wrong—it’s that it’s incomplete. And relying on “typical timing” is one of the easiest ways to get caught off guard.

Preparedness Isn’t Seasonal—It’s a Habit

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, preparedness isn’t something you do once and forget. It’s something you maintain. Not because every storm will hit—but because when one does, it’s too late to start. A strong plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to exist before you need it:

· Supplies already stocked (not empty shelves the day before landfall)

· Evacuation routes known (not figured out in traffic)

· Important documents secured (not searched for in a rush)

· Communication plans set (not improvised when power is out)

The difference between stress and control in a storm often comes down to what you did days or weeks before it formed.

The Real Message We Should Remember

The old rhyme helped people remember when to start paying attention. Today, the message needs to be stronger:

Don’t wait for the “right month.” Don’t wait for a named storm. Don’t wait until everyone else is preparing. Prepare early. Stay ready. Adjust as the season unfolds. Because when a storm is on the way, preparation is no longer a task—it’s a deadline you may have already missed.

Final Reminder

If you wait until a storm is named, you’re already behind. Save this checklist. Share it. Walk through it this week—not when the forecast turns serious. Because the best time to prepare isn’t when a storm is coming.

It’s when nothing is happening at all. That’s when shelves are full, the products you prefer are easy to find, and preparation feels optional—but that’s exactly when it matters most —because once a storm is on the way, those advantages are gone.

HURRICANE PREP CHECKLIST (Save This Now, Not Later)

This isn’t a “nice to have” list. This is what separates being ready from being overwhelmed.

1. Essentials (Minimum 5–7 Days)*(Ideal two weeks)

Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
Non-perishable food (canned goods, protein bars, dry foods)
Manual can opener
Medications and basic first aid kit
Flashlights + extra batteries
Portable phone chargers / power banks

2. Power & Communication

Fully charged devices at all times during season
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Emergency contact list (written down—not just in your phone)
Backup power options if possible (generator or solar charger service them now, run a systems check)

3. Important Documents