Hurricane season in the United States officially runs from June through November. Getting ready in advance and having hurricane supplies on hand can save you from the chaos of crowded stores and higher prices when a storm is expected. And, as we learned in 2022 with the November 9 hurricane in Florida, hurricanes can happen out of season, so it is wise to be vigilant. This hurricane preparedness list will help you be ready.
Hurricane Supply List - General Items
Having a hurricane supply plan in place well before hurricane season makes sense. Depending on the severity of the storm, access to food and clean water may be disrupted for days and even weeks after. Before thinking about hurricane food, think through this hurricane checklist of general items.
- 2 weeks’ worth of prescription medications and medical supplies with prescription numbers, product manuals, serial numbers, etc.
- Flashlight with extra batteries–more than one makes sense, including one you can wear on your head
- Battery-powered or hand cranked radio or a portable television or radio with extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Sanitation and hygiene items, such as hand sanitizing gel, disinfectant wipes, moist towelettes, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products
- Phone chargers
- Books/games for children
- Entertainment for you, including a deck of cards and a book
- It’s old school but a battery-operated DVD player with DVDs can boost morale
- Cash of at least $500, if possible, in 1 dollar, 5 dollar and 10 dollar denominations
- Eyeglasses, contact lens solution and hearing aids
- Heavy duty knife–not a flimsy kitchen knife
- Cordage, such as 1,000 ft. of bank line
- 10x10 tarp or two
- At least one roll of duct tape
- Two 10-gallon buckets
- Large plastic bins with tightly fitting lids to keep your hurricane supplies organized, together, portable and dry
- A package of contractor-grade trash bags
- Hammer, pliers, various screwdrivers and a saw
- Notepads, pencils and pens
- Lighters–can’t have too many–and candles and lanterns if you can safely use them
- Blankets and sleeping bags
- If your budget allows, add an extra power bank for charging your phone and a small solar panel to keep it topped off.
- If you have a pet, bring identification medical records, a muzzle and leash, carrier or crate, and bowls for feeding
Hurricane Supply List - Food & Water
One of the most important categories on your hurricane preparedness list is food. Your comfort, safety and health depend on having quality things to eat. If you go through a severe storm, infrastructure could be damaged and the ability to stock and open stores may be compromised.
You might be tempted to buy an all-in-one emergency food bucket and think that takes care of everything on your hurricane food list. These kits are expensive and don’t provide quality nutrition–especially if you have issues with digestion and blood sugar. Most are heavy on carbs and are highly processed.
Instead, make a hurricane food list of things you normally like to eat and buy non-perishable versions. The best hurricane food ideas are items in cans, dehydrated foods, and freeze-dried options. When it comes to food to buy for a hurricane, think about high nutrition, easy preparation, storage without refrigeration, and things you like eating. You can even buy freeze-dried filet mignon.
Food to have on hand during a hurricane includes:
- 7- to 14-day supply of non-perishable hurricane food stored where bugs and rodents can’t get to it
- 7- to 14-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day; more if you have pets)
- Any special needs foods
- Manual can opener
- Metal pots and pans and cooking utensils
- Camp stove or other means of cooking
- Disposable plates, utensils, napkins, cups
- Coffee filters–you will find uses for them that go beyond making coffee
- Water purification filters and chemicals
- Extra water bottles
- Formula, baby food, diapers and pacifiers
- Multivitamins
- Pet food, water, and pet medications for 7 to 14 days
Hurricane Supply List - Clothing
Because you don’t want to be left with only the shirt on your back, clothing is a key item on your hurricane preparedness list. Protection from cold, rain, sun and excessive heat is important for your family and pets, so clothing should be part of your hurricane supply preparation.
- Rain gear such as jackets, hats, umbrellas, boots
- A change or two of clothing that is season-appropriate
- Protection from the sun
- Footwear that is appropriate for work and for protection from nails and broken glass
- Footwear for relaxing
- Work gloves
Hurricane Supply List - First Aid
Your hurricane supply should include basic healthcare and first aid preparations. While we have already mentioned prescriptions and necessary medical devices, your hurricane supplies list should also include:
- First aid kit and manual
- Sanitation and hygiene items, such as instant hand sanitizing gel, disinfectant wipes, moist towelettes, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products
- Masks and gloves
- Thermometer with batteries, if required
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic
- Aspirin and other pain relievers
- Sunscreen
- Laxative
- Q-tips
- Safety pins
- Bandages
- Scissors
- Gauze pads
- Soap
- Nitrile gloves
- Anti-diarrheal medicine
- Antacids
- Laxatives
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Wound dressings of all kinds
- Tourniquet and splint
- Anti-itch cream
- Sewing needle
Hurricane Supply List - Important Documents
Vital documents can be destroyed in a storm. In the aftermath, they can be vital. Your hurricane supply kit should include a full set of documents such as:
- Health insurance cards
- Insurance policies for your car and property, as well as life insurance policy information
- Medical records
- Banking information
- Credit card numbers
- Social security card copies
- Birth and/or marriage certificates
- Extra set of car, house and office keys
- Copy of will
- List of important phone numbers written down on paper
Hurricane Supply List - Additional Vehicle / Home Items
One of the most important of hurricane supplies is a working vehicle and portable power of various kinds:
- Your car’s gas tank should be full–never below half a tank
- Keep up with oil changes and other maintenance
- A solar generator with solar panels or a gasoline-powered generator with an extra can of gasoline
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Whistle
- An ABC fire extinguisher
- Carbon dioxide detector
- Tire repair kit, booster cables, pump and flares
Find more disaster preparedness tips with Constellation
While you can’t stop the weather, you can be ready with the right hurricane supplies and a preparedness mindset. In addition to hurricane food and the other things on this hurricane checklist, it helps to develop a plan and know what to do when the weather takes a turn for the worse. We’ve gathered this mini directory of articles that will help you through hurricanes, floods, bad weather in general, and what to do when the power goes out: