Building Your Hurricane Kit

Don’t wait until the last minute to begin building your disaster kit. You may not be able to find items you and your family will need if you don’t plan ahead. A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items that you and your family may need in the event of an emergency.

It is important to try and have your kit assembled and ready well in advance of an emergency. You never know when you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and need to take only the necessary essentials with you. It is highly likely that you will probably not have time to search for supplies or to shop for them.

It is probable that you may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Below is a list to help you build a hurricane kit (provided by Crown Weather Services):

Hurricane Kit/Ride Out Items (Hurricane preparedness kits can be purchased from the following websites: http://www.readykit.com, http://worldprep.com, http://www.hurricanestore.com/kits.html)

1. Flashlight(s), Lantern(s) (1 per person). Make sure you buy a cheap small flashlight for small children. They will want your flashlight and will scream during an already stressful time.
2. Extra bulbs for flashlights / lanterns.
3. Collapsible water containers (enough for 7 days at 1 gal/day per person). Good source to buy water containers: http://www.mywatersafe.com/ .
4. Portable radio and/or TV.
5. Weather radio.
6. At least 2 sets of extra batteries for all electronic devices.
7. Digital antenna for TV (if you have a generator).
8. First aid kit.
9. Toolkit – hammer, screw drivers, pliers and assorted nails/screws.
   Fire extinguisher (ABC type).
10. Manual can opener.
11. Battery-operated fan. Battery operated supplies can be purchased from http://batterysavers.com/.
12. Duct tape.
13. Blue tarp (15x20ft) and 100ft rope or cord.
14. Gloves.
15. Eye protection glasses.
16. Protective headgear such as a construction helmet or bicycle helmet.
17. Automobile power inverter. Source to purchase inverters: http://www.tripplite.com/.
18. Rain gear (poncho/raincoat).
19. Matches / lighter.
20. Pocket knife/multi-tool.
21. Plastic garbage bags.
22. 5-gal gas cans (2-4) for car/generator WITH funnel (if needed).
23. Outdoor extension cords (2-3 50ft).
24. Generator and 4-8 quarts of extra oil.
25. Whistle.
26. Plastic sheeting.
27. Tree saw / axe / hatchet.

Personal Items

1. Prescription medications (2-4 week supply).
2. Non-prescription drugs (aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever).
3. Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts.
4. Mosquito repellent / sunscreen.
5. Pet medications (2-4 week supply).
6. Pet cage (if traveling with pet).
7. Emergency phone numbers.
8. Important documents (insurance/passports/Soc. Security card, medical records)
9. Home PC backup disks/drive
10. Moist wipes
11. $100-$300 in extra cash (small bills)
12. Extra set of car/house keys
13. Disposable diapers
14. Feminine supplies
15. Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap)
    Toys/games for kids (deck of cards or a roll of construction paper and crayons).

Food / Water:

1. Water – 1-2 gal/person for 7 days
2. Nonperishable food – enough for 7 days (Peanut butter, Bread, Canned goods, Energy bars)
3. Camp stove and extra fuel
4. Ice chest(s)
5. Waterless soap
6. Extra charcoal/propane for BBQ pit
7. Disposable plates/cups/utensils/napkins
8. Salt/pepper/sugar
9. Aluminum foil
10. Garbage bags

Other Preparedness Tips:

1. Sit down with your family and develop a plan in case of a hurricane.
2. Take pictures or video of your house and valuables for insurance claims.
3. Prepare shutters or other coverings for doors and windows
   Reinforce roof trusses.
4. Examine and repair roof shingles
5. Caulk openings, flashings and soffits
6. Reinforce entry doors and collect exterior covering as required.
7. Replace hard mulch with soft material
8. Buy and install a backflow-prevention device in your sewer line
9. Trim trees and shrubs
10. Purchase a generator, gas cans, CO detectors and extension cords
11. Decide how to tie down large outdoor equipment
12. Reinforce or replace your garage door. Garage door bracing hardware: http://www.securedoor.com/
13. Purchase supplies for cleanup and repair
14. Purchase a road atlas. In times of evacuation you will need to develop plans on how to escape depending on advice from your local Emergency Management. Knowing the routes out of town and beyond is very important. Also don’t rely solely on a GPS, if everybody follows the same set of standardized directions on their GPS systems then there is going to be mass congestion. Instead plan a route, and a set of alternate routes by hand ahead of time and save yourself a lot of trouble.
15. A solar powered charging device for electronic products such as phones and tablets may be handy to have. A source to purchase these: https://www.solio.com/.