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Preparing for a Hurricane

Water

  • Store water in plastic containers - not containers that can break or decompose

  • Store one gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation)

  • Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your house

First Aid Kit

  • At least a three-day supply of all prescriptions

  • Sterile adhesive bandages, gauze pads, roller bandages and safety pins in assorted sizes (several of each)

  • Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

  • Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

  • Cleansing agent/soap

  • Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever; anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, laxative\

  • Thermometer

  • Antiseptic

  • Tweezers

  • Vitamins

  • Scissors

  • Sunscreen

  • Moistened towelettes

  • Latex gloves (2 pairs)

Clothing & Bedding

  • Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

  • Sturdy shoes/work boots

  • Weather-appropriate clothing such as rain gear, hats and gloves, sunglasses

  • Blankets or sleeping bags

Tools & Supplies

  • Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils

  • Battery-operated radio and extra batteries

  • Flashlight and extra batteries, whistle

  • Cash or travelers' checks, change

  • Non-electric can opener, utility knife

  • Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type

  • Matches in a waterproof container

  • Plastic storage containers

  • Shut-off wrench to turn off household gas and water

  • Sanitation items such as toilet paper, soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, disinfectant

  • Plastic garbage bags, sheeting, ties

  • Plastic bucket with tight lid

  • Household chlorine bleach

  • Aluminum foil

  • Tube tent

  • Medicine dropper

  • Paper, pencil

  • Needles, thread

  • Signal flare

Food

  • Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, cooking, and little or no water.

  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables

  • Canned juices, milk, soup

  • Staples: sugar, salt, pepper

  • High-energy foods: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix

  • Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets

  • Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, instant coffee

Important Documents

  • Store in a waterproof, portable container

  • Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, family records

  • Passports, immunization records, bank and credit card account numbers

  • Inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers 

For additional hurricane readiness information, please visit FEMA.gov
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