Table of Contents
While hurricanes are severe natural disasters, their limited season and predictability of approach mean that residents in the path of a storm have time to prepare for its landfall.
Anyone living in an area that experiences hurricanes should always have a hurricane emergency kit prepared, especially during hurricane season.
A little thoughtfulness and consideration can go a long way in ensuring you and your family have the supplies to avoid life-threatening danger, stay safe, and remain comfortable until affected areas are restored.
General
Start your hurricane preparedness kit with the following general items:
- Medications – At least two weeks’ worth of prescriptions, plus ample supply of OTC products such as anti-inflammatories and allergy pills. Maintain an accurate list of prescription numbers, names, dosages, and instructions.
- Flashlight – At least one battery-powered flashlight with extra batteries. Several batteries of different sizes (headlamp, lantern, small, etc.) may also be helpful for various purposes.
- Radio – If cell towers are down, you’ll need a way to get updates other than your phone. A hand-cranked or battery-powered radio can become a critical lifeline.
- Sanitation and hygiene – Hand sanitizer gel, disinfecting wipes, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products are needed, not wanted. Stock garbage bags for emergency toilet situations.
- Entertainment – This is especially important if you have children. Pack books, magazines, or a battery-powered DVD player with movie options.
- Cash – You should have at least $300-500, although you may want more if you have a large family. Carry smaller bills and coins.
- General utility items – Consider storing a large tarp or two, a roll of duct tape, a few large buckets, waterproof bins to store supplies, a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, and a saw.
- Sleeping – Have extra blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags available.
- Pet items – Bring pet medical records, waste disposal bags, a leash and collar, a crate or carrier, food/water, and bowls for feeding.
- Fire extinguisher – Downed power lines and electrical fires are real risks, so ensure you have a working fire extinguisher and know how to use it.
- Carbon dioxide detector – Gas leaks can be deadly, so check that your carbon dioxide alarm works with fresh batteries.
- Sandbags – Sandbags can provide protection for your home from flash flooding or storm surge waters,
Food & Water
Food and water are critical to health, safety, and comfort. Without an electricity source, it can be challenging to keep food fresh, access clean drinking water, and cook at all. Refresh your food and water supplies often, including:
- A 5-7 day supply of non-perishable food per person
- A 7-14 day supply of clean water (one gallon per person per day, plus more for pets)
- Special needs foods, such as baby food purees
- Manual can opener for canned goods
- Cooking supplies – metal pots and pans, cooking utensils
- Disposable plates, napkins, and eating utensils
- Water purification filters or tablets
- A means of cooking – a camp stove that runs on fuel or an electric stove you can connect to an EcoFlow Portable Power Station
Clothing
You don’t want to find yourself evacuating with nothing but the clothes on your back, so have a few items packed and ready to protect you from all the elements – heat, cold, rain, and sun.
- Rain gear – ponchos, hats, umbrellas, tall waterproof boots
- Seasonally-appropriate outfit – a dry and clean extra change of clothes
- Sun protection – hat, UPF clothing, etc.
- Footwear – closed-toe, durable, and ideally waterproof shoes to protect your feet from hazardous debris like broken glass or nails
First Aid
Another category essential to your health and safety is first aid supplies. A basic first-aid kit will have many items you need, but it’s helpful to consider any other special cases that may require certain supplies.
- First aid kit and manual – This will include basics like bandages and antibacterial ointment, but the manual is also extremely valuable. It will ensure anyone knows how to handle an array of medical issues.
- Gloves and mask – Latex gloves ensure cleanliness, while a dust mask can help filter out harmful air particles, whether from illness or unsafe debris/air quality.
- Thermometer – Don’t forget to include extra batteries if needed.
- Tweezers and Scissors – Small scissors and tweezers can cut gauze and remove splinters, but they also serve myriad other purposes in an emergency.
- Sunscreen – Hurricanes tend to hit in warm, tropical climates, so there’s a good chance you’ll be exposed to the sun if you need to evacuate your home. Be prepared with a high-SPF sunscreen at least 35 or higher.
- Pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antacids, laxatives, anti-itch cream
- Cotton balls, q-tips, gauze, and other wound dressings
Vital Documents
Essential documents can get destroyed by flooding or winds in a storm, but you’ll need them in the aftermath of a hurricane, especially if your home sustains damage or you need to evacuate with your family. Keep copies of the following documents in your emergency kit:
- Birth certificates
- Drivers licenses
- Social security cards
- Insurance policies – health, car, and home
- Medical records
- Banking account information
- Credit card numbers
- Marriage certificates
- Extra set of keys for your home and cars
- Will or trust documents
- Essential phone numbers, such as doctor’s offices and emergency contacts
Backup Power
Backup power isn’t a necessity, but emergency power supplies become very hard to come by in the days before and after a hurricane. By thinking ahead, you can take your time selecting the right long-term outage solution to get you through a period without grid electricity.
For shorter expected outages, your choice from the EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations can help you charge your personal devices and run essential appliances, like a refrigerator, stove, and medical equipment. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 can power almost all your necessary home appliances with its expandable 4-48kWh capacity.
If you want to ensure you have power for extended outages, choosing an EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generator may be a better option. These generators allow you to capture, generate, and store additional energy even without grid access.
If you already have a standby generator or other whole-home solution and are looking for something small and portable that you can take with you, whether to an evacuation shelter or during post-storm recovery efforts, consider the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank, which can wirelessly charge any Qi-certified device or plug into other small devices.
Vehicle Supplies
You won’t always be able to use your vehicle when hurricanes hit due to flooding and dangerous road conditions. It’s still wise to prepare your car for evacuation before the storm approaches if necessary.
- Full gas tank – Fill up your tank and consider filling a few extra gallons to store.
- Well-maintained vehicle – Ensure your oil is good and any issues with your car are fixed before a storm approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should stock up on general supplies, such as flashlights, radios, sanitation, food and clean water, copies of vital documents, and first aid supplies, including medications and medical equipment. You should also consider having a backup power source and a well-stocked vehicle.
Essential documents include copies of all family members’ birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, licenses/IDs, home, health, and auto insurance policies, medical records, banking information, trust or will documents, and essential emergency phone numbers.
Final Thoughts
A hurricane is a serious matter, but it also usually provides enough time to prepare for the worst before it hits. Stock up on essential supplies, vital documents, shelf-stable food, and water, and don’t forget a backup power source.
Investing in an EcoFlow Portable Power Station can keep critical devices and appliances running, giving you light and access to many of the comforts we’ve grown used to even when grid power is down.