Going through your hurricane supplies to ensure you have everything? Or, are you getting yourself ready for the first time? Spend some time thinking about what to get if you need to leave the house, and what you need to be properly supplied if you stay behind for a lesser storm. Remember those handy tools, jugs of water and some battery powered lights. (Here’s your full checklist.)
Food
• Gas or charcoal for the grill
• Manual can opener
• Non-perishable foods such as
CARBS – crackers, cereal, popcorn, chips
VEGETABLES & FRUIT – canned vegetables and fruit
PROTEIN – canned tuna, soup or stew, peanut butter, beef jerky, canned sausage, nuts or ham
• Staples such as salt, pepper, sugar, mustard
• Drinking water, sports drinks
• Instant coffee
• Red Bull
The Basics
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Acetaminophen
• Prescription medicines
• A watertight, easy-to-carry container to store essentials and paperwork
Tools & Supplies
• Cash
• Bleach
• Gasoline
• Gloves
• Disposable respirators / face masks
• Masks
• Propane gas
• Coolers
• Heavy-duty garbage bags
• Battery-operated charging pack for cellphone
• Tools, such as a saw, rake, machete, pruning sheers, power drill, utility knife
• Duct tape, screws, nails, tarps, buckets
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• NOAA weather radio with extra batteries
• Enough flashlights for everyone with extra batteries
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Napkins, paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• THIS GUIDE
• Work clothes, heavy shoes, hat, sunglasses
• Towels, bedding
Sanitation
• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Tooth brush, toothpaste, hair brush, shaving supplies
Special needs items
• Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons
• Infant needs: formula, bottles, baby food, diapers, rash cream, fever medicine, decongestant, anti-diarrhea medicine
• Pets: papers, leash, collar with ID, crate, food, bowls, litter, bed
Important documents
(Keep these documents in a waterproof, portable container)
• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage and death certificates)
• Proof of occupancy
• Pictures of your home pre-storm (for insurance purposes)
Disaster kit tips
• Water: Store water in sanitized bathtubs, washing machines and water heaters. Have at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for seven days.
• Cooking: Do not use charcoal or gas grills indoors.
• Do not run generators indoors.
Evacuation Supplies
• Gas cans (preferably filled)
• Important papers and photo albums
• Important recovery tools (chainsaw, drills, etc.)
• Pet crates
• Masks, gloves and sanitizer
• Immediate supplies of food, clothing, toiletries, medications, etc.
