Hurricane Survival Kit

The most important part of your hurricane plan is a hurricane kit, which includes basic items you will need after a disaster. Each person needs to be prepared to take care of all of his or her own needs for at least 3 days up to two weeks. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency-preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

Here is a printable Disaster Supply Checklist from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

If you need to evacuate be sure to at take the highlighted items with you.

Basic Disaster Preparation Supplies

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
• Extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.
• Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).
• Cell phone with charger.
• Family and emergency contact information.
• Extra cash (ATMs might be inoperable).
• Extra fuel for generator and car.

Here are some extra supplies you might consider adding to your disaster kit that will make it easier to survive and recover from a hurricane.

Food & Water

• Manual Can Opener
• Non-Perishable Foods (Canned Foods, Spaghetti, Soup, Stews, Canned Meat & Vegetables, Bread in Moisture Proof Packaging, Cookies, Candy, Dried Fruit, Canned Soups, & Milk, Powdered or Single Serve Drinks, Cereal Bars, Package Condiments, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Instant Coffee & Tea)
• Ice Chest & Ice
• Plain Bleach or Water Purification Tablets
• Disposable Plates, Glasses and Utensils
• Portable Camp Stove or Grill
• Stove Fuel or Charcoal, Lighter Fluid
• Napkins & Paper Towels
• Aluminum Foil
• Plastic Grocery & Trash Bags (lots of them)

Health Supplies

• Extra Prescription Medicine (or Refill Information)
• First Aid Kit (Bandages, Gauze, Tape, Scissors, Antiseptic Spray, Antibiotic Ointment, Hydrogen Peroxide, Rubbing Alcohol, Aspirin)
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sunscreen (45 SPF Recommended)
• Sunglasses
• Extra Pair of Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses
• Hearing Aid or Other Special Items
• Soap and Detergent

Equipment

• Portable Battery Powered Lanterns
• Glass Enclosed Candles
• Battery Powered Radio or TV
• Battery Operated Alarm Clock
• Extra Batteries
• Waterproof Matches or Lighter
• Fire Extinguisher
• Spray Paint to Identify Your Home if Necessary
• Phone that does not Require Electric Outlet
• Tools (Hammer, Wrenches, Screw Drivers, Nails, Saw)
• Tarp, Rope & Duct Tape
• Work Gloves
• Cleaning Supplies

Documents

• Waterproof Container for Document Storage
• Deeds/Titles to Property
• Proof of Occupancy of Residence (Utility Bills)
• Extra Car & House Keys
• Back-up Disks of Computer Files
• Important Phone Numbers
• Important Papers Including Insurance Policies, Warrantees
• Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses
• Medical History or Information
• List of Family Physicians
• Immunization Records
• Camera & Film

Personal Supplies

• Bedding (Pillows, Sleeping Bag)
• Clothing for a Few Days
• Toiletries (Soap, Shampoo, Towels)
• Entertainment (Books, Magazines, Card Games)
• Rain Ponchos & Work Gloves
• Toilet Paper

Babies

• Formula & Food
• Medication
• Disposable Diapers

Pets

• Water (1/2 gallon per day)
• Dry & Canned Food for One Week
• Vaccination Records
• Pet Carrier
• Bowls
• Leashes
• Litter box Supplies

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Background Picture: Shoppers pass empty shelves along the bottled water aisle in a Houston grocery store as Hurricane Harvey intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. Harvey is forecast to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall along the middle Texas coastline. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)