Being prepared for any emergency, or disaster event means planning ahead. You must consider your daily activities, routine, and immediate essentials, and plan out how a disaster event would change how you get things done and your resources. In the event of a hurricane, or other life-disrupting hazard, it will be beneficial to have a Hurricane Kit or Disaster Kit on hand in case you need to evacuate or are unable to get necessary resources like food and water right away.
A Hurricane Kit or Disaster Kit is a collection of basic items you and your household may need in case of a hurricane or an emergency in which you will not be able to shop for supplies. Having a kit at home, prepared in a backpack or duffle bag for easy transport would be ideal or easily able in case you need to leave where you are.
Your kit doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to gather. It should have enough supplies to last you between 10 days to 3 weeks or a month. The items in your kit must take into consideration your location, availability and ease of access to immediate necessary resources, the medical and special needs of yourself and/or family members, and the time that it may take before you receive relief or help. During a hurricane services like electricity, water, gas, sewage and telephones may be off for days or weeks. The supplies in your kit should consider this and help you manage through these setbacks.
Here are some necessary essentials to help you get started on making your kit:
- Water (Half for cooking/sanitation and Half for Drinking)
- Food (Long shelf-life, canned or dry foods that require no or little cooking, and a Manual/ Hand Can-opener)
- Light Sources (Flashlights, headlamps and Candles and Matches)
- First Aid Kit (Sanitation products included. Basic adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, scissors, alcohol and pain relief medication)
- Extra Batteries (Including power banks)
- Warm, Dry & Sturdy Clothing (At least one change of clothing. Sturdy shoes or boots, warm clothing, a blanket)
Here are some other things to include:
- Hygiene and feminine products like soap, toothpaste and pads
- Radio
- Emergency Whistle to be heard
- Emergency Cash
- Copies of important documents in water-safe bags
- Prescription medication and medical equipment
- Pet Emergency Kit
- Baby supplies
- Vehicle with a full tank of gas for evacuation
Here is the link to download the pdf version of the Hurricane Checklist
