A hurricane kit should support everyone in your household through power, water and road disruptions. Build it gradually, keep it accessible and review it before each storm season—not when shelves are already empty.
Start with the essentials
Plan for several days without normal utilities or easy access to shops. Needs vary by household, health, location and the length of possible isolation. Store supplies in a cool, dry and reachable place, using waterproof containers where practical.
Water & food
- Drinking water for each person and pet
- Nonperishable food requiring little preparation
- Infant, older-adult or dietary-specific food
- Manual can opener and simple utensils
- Safe means of preparing food if power fails
Light & information
- Flashlights or headlamps
- Fresh batteries in correct sizes
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Charged power banks and device cables
- Printed contact and emergency information
Health & hygiene
- First-aid supplies
- Prescription medicines and a current list
- Soap, sanitizer and personal hygiene items
- Protective gloves and sturdy closed shoes
- Supplies for babies or dependent adults
Documents & access
- Identification in a waterproof pouch
- Copies of insurance and medical records
- Keys kept together and easy to reach
- Small denomination cash if systems are down
- Offline copies of essential information
Water deserves first priority
Storm runoff, damaged pipes and service interruptions can make tap water unavailable or unsafe. Keep a dedicated drinking supply for people and pets, plus additional water for basic hygiene. Rotate stored water according to its packaging guidance.
Never assume floodwater is safe. Keep people and animals away from it because it can hide debris, electrical hazards, sewage and chemicals. Follow official notices about drinking-water safety after the storm.
Food and cooking without power
Choose familiar shelf-stable food that household members will actually eat. Favor items that can be opened manually and consumed without heating. Remember food for infants, older adults and anyone with allergies or medical dietary requirements.
Medicine, comfort and clothing
Keep essential medication, first-aid supplies and medical information together. Do not wait until a warning to request necessary prescription refills. If medication requires refrigeration, ask a qualified medical professional how to protect it during an outage.
Bag spare clothing, rain protection, blankets and sturdy shoes so they remain dry. Add simple books or games for children, along with any comfort items that help household members cope with an extended shelter period.
Prepare for your pets
Pets need their own water, food and medications. Keep identification and immunization records with your household documents. Have a secure carrier or crate, leash and other handling equipment ready because animals can become frightened during wind, thunder and evacuation.
Bring pets inside well before conditions deteriorate. Do not put yourself at risk searching outdoors once dangerous weather begins.
Vehicle and household preparation
Fuel and supply deliveries may be disrupted after a major storm. If officials indicate severe weather may affect your area, address vehicle fuel and routine household needs early. Park only where permitted and avoid low-lying or flood-prone locations where possible.
Charge devices, test lights and radios, secure loose outdoor objects and identify the safest interior area available to you. If directed to evacuate, leave promptly; possessions can be replaced.
Safety after the storm
- Wait for official clearance. Dangerous wind, rain and surge can persist after the eye or apparent calm passes.
- Avoid floodwater. Do not walk or drive into water of unknown depth or current.
- Watch for electrical hazards. Treat fallen lines as live and stay away from damaged equipment.
- Check structures carefully. Leave if you smell gas, see fire or suspect serious damage.
- Use stored supplies thoughtfully. Roads, shops, utilities and fuel service may take time to reopen.
For broader regional updates and storm context, continue to the weather section. You can also explore related background under tropical cyclones and weather.
