Hurricane Season Supply Kit

After living in South Florida for seven years, hurricane preparation became a no-brainer. The key is to prepare ahead of time, and not wait until the last minute. You will be surprised at how fast bottled water, batteries and wood can quickly sell out at every grocery store and Home Depot in your area.

There are some supplies that you can include in a hurricane emergency supply kit that you may never need to use. These items also won’t “expire.”

1. A water-proof container

The supplies for your hurricane emergency kit should be contained in a water-proof container. Buy a storage bin with handles that seals tightly.

2. Crank-Up Flashlights

Have at least one crank-up or shakable flashlight per family member in your hurricane kit. The flashlights that have a handle to turn for power, or the flashlights that shake to turn on are the best.

3. A Battery-Operated Lantern

A battery operated lantern is safer than candles, and more practical for long power outages. Also, with a lantern, you can have your hands free, and use it for an extended period of time.

4. Sterno

Purchase some small containers of Sterno to store in the hurricane emergency supply kit.

5. A Rope

A rope can be used in many emergency situations, for rescue or for safety. This is one item you probably won’t use unless there is a real emergency.

6. A First Aid Kit

Make sure a well-stocked first-aid kit is included as part of any hurricane emergency kit.

7. A Can Opener

A non-electric can opener is small and easy to store in a hurricane emergency kit. You may need it if the power goes out for an extended period of time.

8. Hand Sanitizer

Include hand sanitizer to use to keep clean in case the water gets turned off.

9. Bottled Water

Bottled water will eventually expire, but if you stock up at the beginning of hurricane season, you can keep it through the season. The National Hurricane Center recommends including one gallon of water per person, for three to seven days.

10. Radio

A battery-operated radio is important for listening to reports about the hurricane track and severity.

11. Paper Plates and Cups

Without water, you won’t be able to wash dishes. The water you have stored will be better used for cooking or self-cleaning than for washing dishes.

12. Rain Gear and Clothing

Have rain coats, boots or rain ponchos available.

13. A Fire-Proof Box

A fire-proof box is a safe place to keep important papers and documents, year-round.

Don’t Forget…

Also include:

14. Food

Keep a supply of non-perishable snacks and foods that can be eaten without being cooked. Consider tuna fish, canned soups and vegetables, peanut butter or almond butter, beef jerky, canned meats, and individually-packaged snack packages like Fig Newtons, or pretezels.

15. Prescription Medication – Keep an extra two weeks or one month supply on-hand, if and when possible.

Families with Babies

16. Baby Food

Keep an extra one week supply of baby food on hand.

17. Diapers and Wipes

Also keep an extra week supply of diapers and wipes.

18. Baby Medicine Kit

Keep baby medicines or natural remedies in one place, for easy access if you need to grab them and go.

These are the very basic items that you need to include in a hurricane emergency kit during hurricane season.