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

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)