Hurricane 2022: Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits

You need to do more than get your home ready for a hurricane. You need to get ready, too.

That means building a hurricane kit by assembling the food, water, medication and gear you and your household will need to ride out the storm. But your needs will vary: Your children and your grandparents will require different supplies than you, and everyone will have to take a different approach depending on whether you stay home, head to a shelter or go to someone else’s house.

That’s why the Tampa Bay Times has assembled several checklists to help you prepare, no matter the situation.

The most important rule of hurricane prep is the seven-day rule: Florida officials urge residents to have seven days’ worth of nonperishable food and water per family member (including pets). That’s how long it could take before help and supplies reach your area after a devastating storm. The standard hydration rule is that each person will need at least one gallon of water per day.

You should keep at least 30 days’ worth of prescription medication on hand. Getting refills after a storm won’t be easy.

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.

Hurricane kits should be built for different purposes, whether for staying in an evacuation shelter or in someone else’s home. Remember that when you go to a shelter, you’re not going camping. Water, meals and perhaps even beds will be provided. But if you go to someone’s house, don’t rely on them to feed, care for and hydrate your family. Do your part.

So get your seven-day supply ready first, then go through these checklists:

• • •

Personal Hurricane Kit

Build a go bag — aka a “bug out bag” — that has everything you’ll need in a backpack or two if you have to evacuate with little notice. It’s the kind of bag you should keep ready year-round in Florida, where the weather can always turn against us.

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 card, etc.
Insect repellent
NOAA Weather Radio, battery or hand-crank
Non-prescription medication (anti-diarrheal, pain relievers, etc.)
Pandemic masks (N95 or KN95 masks; do not rely on cloth or surgical 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, 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 and 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 much easier. If you have camping gear, you’re already in good shape.

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, insect candles
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 federal crime)
Laundry detergent, bucket for washing clothes
NOAA Weather Radio, battery or hand-crank
Pandemic masks (N95 or KN95 masks; do not rely on cloth or surgical masks)
Paper cups, plates and 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; beware carbon monoxide poisoning)
Portable power banks for smartphones and tablets
Powerful flashlight
Rags, sponges, 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. So make sure it has what your family needs.

Car shovel/pick
Cash (tow trucks, 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 (physical, not digital; must be up-to-date)
Multi-tool
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

Whether evacuating or staying, children need a hurricane kit, too. Their needs vary by age, and remember to get 30 days’ worth of their prescription medications in advance, 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 tablets 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)
Non-prescription 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

If you’re staying home, make your life easier and get your pet’s hurricane kit ready now. Getting your pet microchipped will help ensure you’ll be reunited with your pet if you’re separated. Keep your microchip contact information up to date. Also, make sure your pet is wearing a tag with your current contact information. Some shelters do accept pets, but you’ll still need to pack up their gear. The CDC has a pet emergency kit checklist at cdc.gov/cpr/readywrigley/documents/pet_emergency_kit_checklist.pdf.