What’s inside: a free printable hurricane preparedness checklist to help start your emergency planning.
Your Weather Emergency and Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
During my ten years living in Texas, I’ve evacuated once for a hurricane and “hunkered down” for another. Both experiences were scary and surreal, though my family and I were fortunate to make it through both safely.
This past week Texas was paid a visit by Tropical Storm Bill and thankfully it didn’t amount to much more than a few days of gloomy rain. However, it did get my husband and I thinking that with Hurricane Season in full effect, we need to be better prepared in case a stronger storm heads our way. Together, we put together our family hurricane preparedness checklist.
Grab your FREE PRINTABLE Hurricane Preparedness Checklist here!
Important items to have in your “Storm Kit”
I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience in finding some items; disclosure policy available here.
- Jugs of drinking water (a rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person for at least 5 days)
- Canned and other non-perishable food (that doesn’t require heating)
- Manual can opener
- Solar-powered lantern (we have this Luci inflatable solar powered light and love it!)
- Emergency Lantern to illuminate a large area (this Ultimate Survival Technologies 60-Day Lantern
can last up to 60 days on one set of batteries!) - Flashlights (Hard to beat the classic MagLite)
- Candles and matches (use only as a backup, as these can be a fire hazard)
- Emergency Radio (this Emergency Hand Crank Radio can even power a cell phone for short time!)
- Batteries (different sizes for your flashlights, radio, etc.)
- Car chargers for cell phones
- Games to keep the kids busy
- First aid kit
- Backup prescriptions
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Fire extinguisher
can last up to 60 days on one set of batteries!)
)
can even power a cell phone for short time!)Related: What I Learned Living Through Two Hurricanes (Plus a Hurricane Supply List)
Stock up on these items (even before there is a storm!)
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Diapers and wipes
- Pet food and supplies
- Formula or baby food
Check these things on a regular basis:
- Is there at least half a tank of gas in each car at all times?
- Do you have a waterproof container for your most important documents?
- Are all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors working?
- What is your general plan should you need to evacuate? What if you decide to stay?
When a storm is on the way:
- Decide whether you’ll be evacuating or staying and refine your emergency plan
- If evacuating, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations immediately, plan your route and prepare your bug out bag (this is good to have ready in advance!)
- If staying, secure your house and property (your local or county government website will be able to guide you with the best strategies for the types of weather events common in your area)
- Fill gas tanks in all vehicles
- Fill bathtubs and extra containers with water for bathing, flushing toilets, etc.
- Make arrangements for pets, if necessary
Of course this Hurricane Preparedness Checklist is not all-inclusive, but if you have everything mentioned, you’ll be well on your way to being ready in case of a weather emergency!
—>> Get your FREE PRINTABLE Hurricane Preparedness Checklist here.
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