What Supplies Should You Have During a Hurricane?

Preparing for a hurricane is essential to keeping your family safe when the power inevitably goes out. As the wind speeds pick up, access to emergency responders and supplies will be suspended. So, be sure to pack a seven-day food and water supply and a well-stocked emergency supply kit that should be stored in an easily accessible waterproof container.  

This guide will walk you through the essentials to include in your hurricane preparedness kit so that you and your family can stay safe and weather the storm.

Hurricane Supply List

Having all your essential supplies is critical when preparing for a hurricane. Whether you live in the country or are preparing for emergencies in cities, you cannot rely on emergency responders during hurricanes. 

FEMA suggests that ambulances shouldn’t go out at sustained wind speeds over 35 mph because they are at risk of overturning, while firefighters and other emergency responders in SUVs should not go out at sustained wind speeds over 50mph. That means you will be on your own until wind speeds subside. 

Be sure to take stock of what you have and list what you need. Then, create an emergency supply kit and store it in a cool, dry place high above floodwaters. Also, keep your emergency power supply nearby and be sure it is fully charged and ready to use.  

Here are the essentials you should have in your kit. 

Food & Water

Keep a 7-day supply of water and non-perishable foods for every person and pet in your household. Avoid junk and comfort foods that won’t supply the necessary nutrition to keep your body running efficiently. Also, avoid dried goods that can get ruined if wet. This is why canned foods are best during hurricanes. 

• One gallon of water per person per day
• Canned soups
• Canned vegetables
• Canned applesauce
• Canned fruits
• Canned beans
• Canned meats
• Granola or protein bars
• Peanut butter, jerky, and other high-protein, high-energy foods 
• Dried fruits can be kept in waterproof containers
• Formula, juice, and diapers for babies
• Pet foods

Sanitation & Hygiene

• Non-latex gloves
• Antibacterial hand sanitizer
• Antibacterial soap
• Antibacterial wipes
• Insect repellent
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Water purification tablets or filters

Tools, Clothes, and Miscellaneous 

• Waterproof bins to hold all of your emergency items 
• Flashlights, headlamps, and a lantern – ideally rechargeable LED
• Battery-powered radio (tuned to the National Hurricane Center channel)
• Any batteries needed (AA, AAA, C, D) for radio or lights
• Pliers, hammer and nails, and screwdrivers with screws for securing doors, windows, and other items
• Duct tape
• Camping plates and utensils
• Sharp outdoor knife
• Camping stove (with fuel), pots, and pans
• Manual can opener
• Cards and board games
• Matches, lighters, or waterproof fire-starter
• Extra fuel for your car or generator
• Tarps
• Fire extinguisher
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Spare clothes for each person in a waterproof bag
• Raincoat, rain pants, and rubber boots for each person

First Aid

• Gauze pads
• Medical adhesive tape
• Hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial ointment
• Medical scissors and tweezers
• Non-latex gloves
• Triangle bandages and tensor bandages for sprains or breaks
• Safety pins
• Aspirin or ibuprofen
• Recently refilled prescription medications
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Laxatives
• Sunscreen
• Q-tips
• Thermometer
• Masks for everyone in the family

Backup Power

Having a generator for hurricanes is essential to keeping your family safe. During a hurricane, losing power is very likely to happen. Without power, your fridge and frozen goods will go bad before you can eat them all. 

You also won’t be able to charge your phones and stay up-to-date on the storm’s status and what you can expect. Any EcoFlow Portable Power Station will help you stay safe and connected. Here are a few options to consider. 

• An EcoFlow DELTA Pro + 400W Solar Panel is ideal for running your essential appliances. It has 3600Wh of capacity to run almost any household appliance. If you have solar panels on your roof, learn how to prevent damaging them during hurricanes. 
• If you need less power and just need to stay connected and keep your essential devices running, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro is the perfect choice. It has 768Wh of capacity but is still lightweight and compact enough that you can easily carry it with you if you need to evacuate. 
• On the other hand, if you’re hunkering down and need more power, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 has 4096Wh of capacity and will run all your household appliances. It’s even expandable to an impressive 48KWh to run the most power-hungry home.
• Finally, the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank is a wireless power bank that charges all your wireless charger-compatible devices so you can stay connected on the go.

Important Documents

• Waterproof document holder
• Health insurance cards and medical records
• Insurance policies for car, home, life
• Banking information
• Credit card numbers
• Social Security card copies
• Birth and/or marriage certificates
• Extra set of keys
• Copy of will
• List of important phone numbers

Travel Necessities

If you need to evacuate, bring your emergency kit with you. In addition to all the items in your kit, be sure to bring these as well:

• Full tank of gas
• At least $500 in cash for gas and essential supplies on the road
• Blankets
• Emergency flares, jumper cables, tire repair kit

Maintaining Your Hurricane Preparedness Kit

1. Plan, take stock of what you have, and list what you need. 
2. Get everything you need and store it in a large waterproof bin with sturdy handles or wheels that’s easy to move around. 
3. Store the bin in a cool, dry place, not anywhere it is likely to flood. 
4. Check your bin every 6 – 12 months and rotate out your non-perishable foods, moving them to the kitchen and replacing them with ones with longer expiration dates. 
5. Check your first aid kit to ensure your antiseptics or other medications are not expired. 
6. Keep your portable power station fully charged.  
7. Practice your emergency plan with all family members once or twice a year so everyone knows where to meet, what to do in an emergency, and where the emergency kit is and what’s in it.

Where Should I Keep a Hurricane Preparedness Kit?

Your hurricane preparedness kit should be kept in an easily accessible place like a hall closet, spare room, or garage, ideally in or near the room you have designated as the emergency meeting point for your family. Depending on flood risks at your location, the basement may not be the best location. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

A well-stocked hurricane preparedness kit gives you the resources to weather the storm safely. From ample food and water to backup power and essential documents, each item in your kit keeps your family safe and comfortable. 

Staying informed and connected is easier with a dependable backup power source. Protect your loved ones with one of EcoFlow’s Portable Power Stations, which come in a wide range of sizes and capacities to supply power for the smallest to largest homes and family needs.