Hurricane season is here, and being prepared now can make all the difference in helping you and your family stay safe and comfortable before, during and after a storm.
A well-stocked hurricane kit should include enough supplies to support everyone in your household, including children, older adults, individuals with medical needs and pets. Here are some essential items to have in your kit for your household:
Food and Water
- At least one gallon of water per person per day
- Nonperishable packaged or canned foods
- Baby food and other special dietary items, if needed
- Manual can opener
- Disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils
Emergency Supplies
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- NOAA weather radio (battery-operated or hand-crank)
- Cell phone chargers and backup power banks
- Cash, as ATMs and banks may be unavailable after a storm
- Books, games and activities for children
Medical and First-Aid Supplies
- A two-week supply of prescription medications
- A list of allergies, medications and medical conditions
- Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Sterile gauze pads and adhesive tape
- Antiseptic and disinfectant wipes
- Hand sanitizer and soap
- Pain relievers and antihistamines
Important Documents
Store important records in a waterproof container, including:
- Insurance information
- Medical records
- Banking information
- Copies of birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Emergency contact information
Clothing and Special Needs Items
- Rain gear, including jackets and umbrellas
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Work gloves
- Supplies for infants, older adults and family members with disabilities or special medical needs
Pet Supplies
- At least seven days of pet food and water
- Veterinary records and identification information
- Carrier or crate
- Leash or harness
- Waste bags, litter or other sanitation supplies
For a complete disaster supply kit checklist, visit floridadisaster.org.
Access additional hurricane preparedness resources, including OUC alerts, ways to protect yourself during a storm, how to report an outage and more, by visiting OUC’s Storm Center.
