Getting prepared: The supplies you need for a hurricane

StarNews Staff
·1 min read

For residents along the North Carolina coast, it's never too early to be prepared for a hurricane. Here are the supplies you should have on hand before one approaches our area.

Track the storm here.

Necessities

Necessities

  • Water. 1 gallon per person, per day -- prepare for a minimum of three days.

  • Battery-operated television or radio.

  • Extra batteries

  • Manual can opener

  • Local maps

  • Flashlights and waterproof matches

  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

  • Toilet paper

  • Baby supplies

  • Cash (ATMs may not work after the storm)

  • Rain gear/hat

  • Bleach or water-purification tablets

  • Soap and detergent

  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

  • Charcoal/lighter fluid or portable camping stove

  • Disposable plates, glasses and utensils

  • Ice chest and ice

  • Valuable papers -- insurance information, passports, Social Security cards, bank account and credit card numbers, wills, deeds, etc. -- or copies, in a waterproof bag

  • Prescription and other necessary medicines

  • Blankets, tarp and masking tape

  • Dust mask to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape.

  • Three day’s worth of clothing, sleeping bags

  • First-aid kit: aspirin or pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication scissors, tweezers, bug spray

  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

  • Fire extinguisher -- ABC type

  • Extra pair of eyeglasses

  • Extra house, car keys

  • Tools: Shut-off wrench, pliers

  • Needles, thread

  • Whistle

  • Signal flare

  • Games, books for entertainment

  • Pet care: leashes, pet carriers, food

  • Sunscreen and sunglasses

Food:

  • Baby food, baby formula, powdered milk

  • Canned meats (Spam, chicken, ham)

  • Canned fish (tuna, sardines)

  • Canned meals: spaghetti, soup, stew, chili

  • Canned fruits and vegetables

  • Cereal, crackers and cookies

  • Instant coffee, tea bags, sodas, juice

  • Granola bars, nuts, trail mix

  • Peanut butter and jelly

  • Sugar, salt, pepper

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hurricane supplies: What you need to be prepared