Be Prepared for Hurricanes or any other storm
Hurricanes are strong storms that can be life-threatening as well as cause serious hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe!
During and after
a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared — stock up on everything you might need now. Here’s a checklist of what you need:
Food and Medicine
- Clean containers for water
- At least 5 gallons of water per person (which should be enough to last 3 to 5 days)
- A 3 to 5 day supply of food that doesn’t go bad (like canned food)
- Baby food or formula
- Prescription medicines
Safety Items
- First aid kit and instructions
- Fire extinguisher
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Sleeping bags or extra blankets
- Supplies to make drinking water safe (like iodine tablets or chlorine bleach)
Learn more about making drinking water safe
Personal Care Products
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet cleaning cloths (like baby wipes) in case you don’t have clean water
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Tampons and pads
- Diapers
Make sure your supplies are stored together in a place that’s easy to reach.
Make an Emergency Car Kit
In case you need to leave quickly during a hurricane, always keep an emergency kit in your car, too. Make sure you include:
- Food that doesn’t go bad (like canned food)
- Flares
- Jumper cables (sometimes called booster cables)
- Maps
- Tools, like a roadside emergency kit Learn more about supplies to include in your first aid kit.
- A first aid kit and instructions
- A fire extinguisher
- Sleeping bags
- Flashlight and extra batteries
Having a GPS — either in your car or on your smartphone — can help during an emergency too.