Hurricane 2023: Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits

Chris Tisch, Tampa Bay Times

May 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM·7 min read

There are some items in a hurricane kit that may keep you alive after a storm: medications, food and water.

There are other items that will just make your life a little easier or more comfortable after a hurricane hits: a headlamp, for instance, or a battery-operated fan.

A good hurricane kit will have a combination of both the essentials and the handy. And you don’t want to wait until a storm is headed this way to get your kit together. Start working on it now.

You don’t have to do it all in a day. For instance, I don’t go out and buy 100 cans of soup and a dozen boxes of granola bars on the same day. I start in the spring and build it up over time, grabbing nonperishable food and bottles of water that are on sale every time I go to the grocery store. It also means I build up a variety.

Another thing about hurricane kits: They vary from one person or family to another. If you have kids, pets or older adults living with you, your kit will need to be adjusted.

As much as you want to focus on the essentials like food and water, plan to also stow items that will make life easier or more comfortable.

If your power is out and you don’t have a generator, it will be pitch black at night. Sure, a flashlight will do for finding your way around. But if you want to be able to do complex tasks after dark, having a headlamp will give you two free hands instead of one having to hold the flashlight.

And a battery-powered fan will give you just a little bit of comfort as Florida’s humid summer weather scorches all of us suddenly without air conditioning. Also, be sure you have a lot of backup batteries to keep that thing going.

But let’s get back to the basics for a bit.

Emergency officials say people should have seven days’ worth of nonperishable food and water per family member, including pets. That’s the length of time it could take for supplies to reach you after a bad hurricane. The standard rule is that each person will need at least 1 gallon of water per day. You also should keep at least 30 days’ worth of prescription medication on hand.

Beyond that, here are some checklists to help you prepare, no matter the situation.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (www.floridadisaster.org), the Department of Homeland Security (www.dhs.gov), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.ready.gov/kit) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/checklists/kids-and-families.html) also offer checklists.

Personal hurricane kit

Build a bag with everything you’ll need in a backpack or two if you have to evacuate.

Air horns or whistles, to call for help
Assorted batteries, including for hearing aids
Backpacks, sturdy and waterproof
Can opener (manual, never electric)
Cash (no power or cell service means no credit cards or mobile payments)
COVID-19 test kits
Disinfecting wipes
Extra clothing and socks, including something warm in case it gets cold
First-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Handheld lanterns
Headlamp and batteries
Identification, insurance cards, etc.
Insect repellent
NOAA Weather Radio, battery or hand-crank
Nonprescription medication (anti-diarrheal, pain relievers, etc.)
Pandemic masks
Pens and paper (don’t run down your phone battery by writing stuff down)
Personal wipes (antibacterial)
Phone charging cables, wall chargers
Portable power banks for smartphones and tablets
Rain jacket and pants/poncho
Rubber boots
Safety work gloves
Spare contacts and eyeglasses (also eyedrops)
Spare keys to homes, businesses and vehicles
Sturdy boots or shoes (and a backup pair)
Sunscreen, lip balm
Sleeping bags
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
Water purification tablets
Waterproof folders, for documents and photos
Waterproof matches, lighter

Home hurricane kit

If you lose power after a storm, if your home or neighborhood gets hit hard or if help is unable to reach you for a while, this gear will make your wait at home more tolerable.

Bleach (to clean up mold)
Carbon monoxide detector, battery-powered (for gas-powered generators)
Can opener (manual, never electric)
COVID-19 test kits
Disinfecting wipes
Duct tape
Extra water (fill bathtubs for flushing)
Hand soap
Fan, battery-operated
Fire extinguisher
First-aid kit
Garbage bags, plastic sheeting (for garbage and covering broken windows)
Insect repellent
Long-handle squeegees for scraping mud out of a flooded home
Laser pointer, to attract help in the dark (aiming one at an aircraft is a crime)
Laundry detergent, bucket for washing clothes
NOAA Weather Radio, battery or hand-crank
Pandemic masks
Paper cups, plates, plastic utensils
Paper towels (better than sponges if there’s no water)
Personal wipes (antibacterial)
Portable air conditioner that can run off a generator
Portable camping stove
Portable generator (never operate one indoors or near a door or window; beware of carbon monoxide poisoning)
Portable power banks for smartphones and tablets
Powerful flashlight
Rags, sponges and mops for cleanup
Safety work gloves
Spray paint (to paint address, insurance carrier on house)
Surge protectors or power strips
Tarps (for damaged roofs, walls and windows)
Termite bait and ant poison
Toilet paper
Tool kit
Toothbrushing pads (when water is in short supply)
Wrench or pliers, to turn utilities on and off

Vehicle hurricane kit

In an emergency, your vehicle may be the safest place you can stay after a storm.

Car shovel/pick
Cash (tow trucks and repair shops may not take electronic payment)
Disinfecting wipes
Duct tape
Emergency blankets
Fire extinguisher
First-aid kit
Fuse kit
Garbage bags, plastic sheeting (for garbage and covering broken windows)
Jumper cables
Maps, map books, gazetteer (physical, not digital; must be up to date)
Multitool
Personal wipes (antibacterial)
Phone cables
Pocket knife
Portable air compressor
Portable jump starter
Power inverter, for charging devices
Safety work gloves
Spare tire (that actually works)
Tire jack
Tire sealant, puncture repair kit
Vehicle registration, proof of insurance
Water repellant
Wipes

Children’s hurricane kit

Children need a hurricane kit, too. If you’re breastfeeding, experts say to keep a week’s worth of powdered formula on hand, just in case.

Baby food
Baby wipes
Blankets, pillows
Books, games, playing cards, puzzles (do not rely on electronic devices to entertain children)
Child’s insurance ID
Clean bottles
Diapers
Drawing paper, crayons, markers, pens
Dry, extra clothing and underwear
Formula
Kid-friendly canned goods
Medical alert bracelet (if needed)
Nonprescription medication (anti-diarrheal, pain relievers, etc.)
Personal wipes (antibacterial)
Sturdy shoes, rubber boots
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
Toys (that can be damaged or lost)

Pet hurricane kit

Getting your pet microchipped will help ensure you’ll be reunited with Fido or Kitty if you’re separated. Keep your microchip contact information up to date. Make sure your pet also is wearing a tag with your current contact information. Some shelters accept pets, but you’ll still need to pack their gear. The CDC has a pet emergency kit checklist at cdc.gov/cpr/readywrigley/documents/pet_emergency_kit_checklist.pdf.