Building Your Hurricane Kit

This will be the place to find all your hurricane prep information. Whether it be preparing your home, family, pets or evacuation plans here is where to find the information you need.

Moderator: S2k Moderators

Message
Author
User avatar
wxman57
Moderator-Pro Met
Moderator-Pro Met
Posts: 22473
Age: 66
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2003 8:06 pm
Location: Houston, TX (southwest)

Building Your Hurricane Kit

#1 Postby wxman57 » Sat May 01, 2010 12:01 pm

I think that this post should be "stickied" as a hurricane prep item. I'd be interested to know

As I have to travel around the country giving hurricane preparedness presentations each spring, I have a quite comprehensive kit. It's so heavy (without the kit with the battery supply) that I bought a special dolly to carry it around.

Below is a list of items for your hurricane kit. I have every item below in my kit (minus the AC and 5 gal. gas cans which are in the garage, of course). I never by water, I use giant water containers from http://www.mywatersafe.com The 65 gallon unit sits in your bathtub. I also have a few 5-gal collapsible containers that fit in a sink, and a 55-gal portable unit that you can put in the bed of a truck. Since I know the lady who sells them, she supplies me with whatever I need and I give her plugs at my talks.

One new item for 2010 is a portable TV with replaceable AA batteries. It's the first one on the market:

http://www.radioshack.com/pwr/product-r ... al-TV.html

Other such TVs released in 2009 require AC power to charge the built-in batteries.

I also got a new headlamp, the Petzl Tikka XP 2 (3 AAA batteries). It's VERY bright:
http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 217402/N/0

Hurricane Kit/Ride Out Items
1. Flashlight(s), Lantern(s) (1 per person)
2. Extra bulbs for flashlights / lanterns
3. Collapsible water containers (enough for 7 days at 1 gal/day per person)
4. Portable radio and/or TV (I have Auvio 3.5" that uses AA batteries)
5. Weather radio
6. At least 2 sets of extra batteries for all electronic devices
7. Digital antenna for TV (if you have a generator)
8. First aid kit
9. Corded telephone with long cord
10. Toolkit - hammer, screw drivers, pliers and assorted nails/screws
11. Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
12. Manual can opener
13. Battery-operated fan
14. Duct tape
15. Blue tarp (15x20ft) and 100ft rope or cord
16. Gloves
17. Eye protection glasses
18. Automobile power inverter
19. Rain gear (poncho/raincoat)
20. Matches / lighter
21. Pocket knife/multi-tool
22. Plastic garbage bags
23. 5-gal gas cans (2-4) for car/generator WITH funnel (if needed)
24. Disposable camera
25. Battery-powered alarm clock (can use cell phone)
26. Outdoor extension cords (2-3 50ft)
27. Small window AC unit
28. Generator and 4-8 quarts of extra oil
29. Whistle
30. Plastic sheeting
31. Tree saw / axe / hatchet

Personal Items:
1. Prescription medications (2-4 week supply)
2. Non-prescription drugs (aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever)
3. Mosquito repellent / sunscreen
4. Pet medications (2-4 week supply)
5. Pet cage (if traveling with pet)
6. Emergency phone numbers
7. Important documents (insurance/passports/Soc. Security card, medical records)
8. Home PC backup disks/drive
9. Moist wipes
10. $100-$300 in extra cash (small bills)
11. Extra set of car/house keys
12. Disposable diapers
13. Feminine supplies
14. Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap)
15. Toys/games for kids (deck of cards)

Food / Water:
1. Water – 1-2 gal/person for 7 days
2. Nonperishable food – enough for 7 days
a. Peanut butter
b. Bread
c. Canned goods (fruit/vegetables/soup/meat/tuna/beans)
d. Dried fruit
e. Powdered milk
f. Energy bars / breakfast bars
g. Snacks (cookies / crackers / chips / nuts / candy)
h. Boxed juices / energy drinks
i. Cereals
j. Dry & canned pet food
k. Baby formula
3. Camp stove and extra fuel
4. Ice chest(s)
5. Waterless soap
6. Extra charcoal/propane for BBQ pit
7. Disposable plates/cups/utensils/napkins
8. Salt/pepper/sugar
9. Aluminum foil
10. Garbage bags


URLs Cited in my Hurricane Talk

1. http://www.securedoor.com/ -- Garage door bracing hardware

2. http://www.readytown.com -- Hurricane planning widget for businesses

3. http://mywatersafe.com/ -- Water storage containers

4. http://www.readykit.com/ -- Hurricane preparedness kit

5. http://worldprep.com/ -- Hurricane preparedness kit

6. http://www.hurricanestore.com/kits.html ... agodNhJncA
The Hurricane Store – preparedness kits, flashlights, tools, etc.

7. http://www.radioshack.com -- Battery-powered Auvio 3.5” TV

8. http://www.batterysavers.com/ -- Battery-powered devices

9. http://www.just-mobileonline.com/produc ... ies_9.html -- Just Mobile “Gum Pro”

10. http://www.solio.com/charger/solio-char ... esium.html -- Solio Mag solar charger

11. http://luckypacks.com/EXTERNAL-IPHONE-B ... Ah-p5.html --
U20 I-UP 5400 external battery pack/charger for phones and other devices

12. http://www.mountaingear.com/ -- Search for “Headlamp”

13. http://www.lashen.com/vendors/tripplite ... esktop.asp -- Line conditioner

14. http://www.tripplite.com/ -- Automobile power inverter

15. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml -- NHC hurricane preparedness web site

16. https://www.meted.ucar.edu/loginForm.ph ... Fchp%252F# -- COMET hurricane preparedness module (requires free registration)

17. http://www.ready.gov/ -- FEMA hurricane preparedness site

18. http://www.hcfcd.org/tropicalweather/evacuation.html -- Harris County Flood Control District evacuation plan for Houston/Galveston

19. http://www.readyhoustontx.gov/ -- Houston’s hurricane preparation web site with a “Make a Plan” widget.

20. http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/bolivar -- Aerial photography of Bolivar Peninsula

21. http://www.houstonhidefromthewind.org/ -- Houston’s predicted maximum sustained wind data by zip code
Last edited by wxman57 on Sat May 01, 2010 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2 likes   

User avatar
cycloneye
Admin
Admin
Posts: 138885
Age: 67
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2002 10:54 am
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#2 Postby cycloneye » Sat May 01, 2010 12:08 pm

A very useful information about preparations for the hurricane season that deserves to be up as sticky.
0 likes   
Visit the Caribbean-Central America Weather Thread where you can find at first post web cams,radars
and observations from Caribbean basin members Click Here

User avatar
streetsoldier
Retired Staff
Retired Staff
Posts: 9705
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2003 11:33 pm
Location: Under the rainbow

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#3 Postby streetsoldier » Sun May 09, 2010 2:45 pm

Nice, for a start! The only thing missing (from my FEMA training seminars) is a firearm; many people either "lose it" after a disaster, or go criminal (taking what you stockpiled by force). You can't be sure that a LE officer or National Guardsman will be handy, so be aware of your surroundings.
0 likes   

User avatar
revjohn
Tropical Wave
Tropical Wave
Posts: 8
Age: 62
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:36 pm
Location: McAllen TX

A Good Way to have Good Water

#4 Postby revjohn » Tue May 17, 2011 5:32 pm

Image


http://www.monolithic.com/stories/a-practical-life-sustaining-water-filter/photos


This is what I use for water...as long as there is water nearby (almost no matter how bad) this filter will clean it...and it will filter five thousand gallons of water!...plus it's really cheap...under $30 if you don't buy the buckets.
0 likes   

Preppie
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:15 am
Location: Metro Charleston, SC

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#5 Postby Preppie » Fri Aug 05, 2011 2:34 am

streetsoldier wrote:Nice, for a start! The only thing missing (from my FEMA training seminars) is a firearm; many people either "lose it" after a disaster, or go criminal (taking what you stockpiled by force). You can't be sure that a LE officer or National Guardsman will be handy, so be aware of your surroundings.


Excellent advice and even more important now that there is no money in the federal and state cash registers for "extras" like a disaster.

Please be aware that many criminal incidents are not reported by the media in order to try and prevent copycat crimes, so don't be misled into thinking, things are quiet, the Guard must have everything well in hand. I learned this when working as a stringer for a TV news station.

A few examples of which I'm personally aware after Fran's arrival in central NC:

1. A delivery of 20 generators was made to a national DIY chain store. Many times that number of people were in line, hoping to get lucky. A mini-riot broke out. That was only the second day without power.

2. In the first few days. people hurried to supermarkets to buy what food and other supplies remained, waiting in long lines to be shepherded around the store by staff with flashlights. They were all too often mugged for their purchases, either in the parking lot or followed home and mugged in their driveways.

3. Third day without power: Hearing from a neighbor, a friend of the manager, that a supermarket was to get a delivery of ice within the hour, we rushed to the store and stood in line while Mr. P kept an eye on our respective houses. We were told, one bag of ice per family. I happened to get the last bag. The woman in line behind me was furious, pointed a finger and yelled, "That's not right, you two are together!" She actually raised her cooler, as if to use it on me. The manager was on hand, thank heavens, and told the woman his wife worked with my friend and we were not related. The woman was still very unhappy so we got out of there as fast as we could.

There's more but that should be enough to encourage people to prepare for more than a few days and stay home until you see the Guard all over the place. We are much better prepared than ever and will be able to manage for quite some time without outside help.

Don't be upset if electricity returns in other areas before yours. Power companies are usually requested by the police to restore power in high-crime areas first (after hospitals and other emergency facilities) for obvious reasons.

Last thought: please stash canned food for your pets--dried food goes rancid quickly when there's no air conditioning. Perhaps vacuum sealing the chow in small packages might work; I don't know. Has anyone tried it?
0 likes   

User avatar
revjohn
Tropical Wave
Tropical Wave
Posts: 8
Age: 62
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:36 pm
Location: McAllen TX

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#6 Postby revjohn » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:35 am

I was on the ground in South Florida the day after Andrew made landfall working for the American Red Cross out of the headquarters at NW 17th Avenue in Miami....

I spent 3 months on scene.

Every one of my 16 hour days was spent in the Homestead area, and I remember well the National Guard and police getting their body bags each morning and evening during roll call. All were on "shoot to kill" orders....and they did.

I have stories too numerous and too sad to tell of unprepared folks just trying to survive.

Take it from someone that's lived it, be prepared, and your life will be simpler.
1 likes   

stormtrooper
Tropical Wave
Tropical Wave
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 10:46 am

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#7 Postby stormtrooper » Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:04 am

There's not much hurricanes in the state where I live, but this is intense
0 likes   

User avatar
EyewallKnight
Tropical Wave
Tropical Wave
Posts: 5
Age: 35
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:42 am
Contact:

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#8 Postby EyewallKnight » Fri May 06, 2016 7:00 pm

That's one of the best supply lists I've seen in a while. The nice thing is that the same list can be applied to nearly any natural disaster (perhaps with some minor additions depending on the event). Good job.
0 likes   
The posts in this forum are NOT official forecast and should not be used as such. They are just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. They are NOT endorsed by any professional institution or storm2k.org. For official information, please refer to the NHC and NWS products.

User avatar
Hurricaneman
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 7280
Age: 43
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:24 pm
Location: central florida

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#9 Postby Hurricaneman » Sun May 15, 2016 11:31 pm

Heres my list

1. bottled water{can never have enough}
2. Batteries for the flashlights and radio
3. Eye and head protection like safety glasses and Helmet
4. always fill up the car a couple of days before a hurricane
5. Non perishable items
6. have a planned area in case of major damage
7. hope for the best
0 likes   

User avatar
NCWeatherChic
Tropical Storm
Tropical Storm
Posts: 154
Age: 53
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2003 2:49 pm
Location: Benson, North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#10 Postby NCWeatherChic » Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:44 am

I didn't see this listed but I may have overlooked it but we buy several solar lights from Dollar Tree that are for the yard and we keep those on hand to use as lighting after a power outage. You can lay them need windows around the home and they'll come on in the evening to help keep your home lit. You can also buy small pots for plants (like Terra cotta) and flip it upside down and stick the light into the hole and sit need windows. I buy a big box of wooden matches and put them inside a small Mason jars to keep them dry. You can cut a circle from the striker side of the box and hot glue it inside the lid as well. Be blessed
1 likes   

underthwx
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1928
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:14 pm
Location: Brazoria County Texas

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#11 Postby underthwx » Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:38 am

Great information...I had most of what you have on your list, but Harvey flooded my house...
0 likes   

User avatar
syfr
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 129
Age: 105
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2012 7:33 pm
Location: East Central NC

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#12 Postby syfr » Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:38 pm

Paper Plates

Plastic cutlery

Extra paper towels

Single serve food items (fruit, stews, etc)

Rechargeable batteries and more batteries
0 likes   
I'm not a meteorologist, I'm an electronics engineer. While I can probably fix your toaster oven, you're not going to learn about storms from me!

New Mexico had no hurricanes. Then I moved to NC right before Fran.....

AlphaToOmega
Category 5
Category 5
Posts: 1448
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:51 am
Location: Somewhere in Massachusetts

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#13 Postby AlphaToOmega » Fri Aug 27, 2021 7:42 pm

This deserves a bump for obvious reasons
0 likes   

gailwarning
S2K Supporter
S2K Supporter
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2017 1:09 pm
Location: N. Georgia. Sick of FL

Re: Building Your Hurricane Kit

#14 Postby gailwarning » Thu Sep 29, 2022 9:13 pm

wxman57 wrote:I think that this post should be "stickied" as a hurricane prep item. I'd be interested to know

As I have to travel around the country giving hurricane preparedness presentations each spring, I have a quite comprehensive kit. It's so heavy (without the kit with the battery supply) that I bought a special dolly to carry it around.

Below is a list of items for your hurricane kit. I have every item below in my kit (minus the AC and 5 gal. gas cans which are in the garage, of course). I never by water, I use giant water containers from http://www.mywatersafe.com The 65 gallon unit sits in your bathtub. I also have a few 5-gal collapsible containers that fit in a sink, and a 55-gal portable unit that you can put in the bed of a truck. Since I know the lady who sells them, she supplies me with whatever I need and I give her plugs at my talks.

One new item for 2010 is a portable TV with replaceable AA batteries. It's the first one on the market:

http://www.radioshack.com/pwr/product-r ... al-TV.html

Other such TVs released in 2009 require AC power to charge the built-in batteries.

I also got a new headlamp, the Petzl Tikka XP 2 (3 AAA batteries). It's VERY bright:
http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 217402/N/0

Hurricane Kit/Ride Out Items
1. Flashlight(s), Lantern(s) (1 per person)
2. Extra bulbs for flashlights / lanterns
3. Collapsible water containers (enough for 7 days at 1 gal/day per person)
4. Portable radio and/or TV (I have Auvio 3.5" that uses AA batteries)
5. Weather radio
6. At least 2 sets of extra batteries for all electronic devices
7. Digital antenna for TV (if you have a generator)
8. First aid kit
9. Corded telephone with long cord
10. Toolkit - hammer, screw drivers, pliers and assorted nails/screws
11. Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
12. Manual can opener
13. Battery-operated fan
14. Duct tape
15. Blue tarp (15x20ft) and 100ft rope or cord
16. Gloves
17. Eye protection glasses
18. Automobile power inverter
19. Rain gear (poncho/raincoat)
20. Matches / lighter
21. Pocket knife/multi-tool
22. Plastic garbage bags
23. 5-gal gas cans (2-4) for car/generator WITH funnel (if needed)
24. Disposable camera
25. Battery-powered alarm clock (can use cell phone)
26. Outdoor extension cords (2-3 50ft)
27. Small window AC unit
28. Generator and 4-8 quarts of extra oil
29. Whistle
30. Plastic sheeting
31. Tree saw / axe / hatchet

Personal Items:
1. Prescription medications (2-4 week supply)
2. Non-prescription drugs (aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever)
3. Mosquito repellent / sunscreen
4. Pet medications (2-4 week supply)
5. Pet cage (if traveling with pet)
6. Emergency phone numbers
7. Important documents (insurance/passports/Soc. Security card, medical records)
8. Home PC backup disks/drive
9. Moist wipes
10. $100-$300 in extra cash (small bills)
11. Extra set of car/house keys
12. Disposable diapers
13. Feminine supplies
14. Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap)
15. Toys/games for kids (deck of cards)

Food / Water:
1. Water – 1-2 gal/person for 7 days
2. Nonperishable food – enough for 7 days
a. Peanut butter
b. Bread
c. Canned goods (fruit/vegetables/soup/meat/tuna/beans)
d. Dried fruit
e. Powdered milk
f. Energy bars / breakfast bars
g. Snacks (cookies / crackers / chips / nuts / candy)
h. Boxed juices / energy drinks
i. Cereals
j. Dry & canned pet food
k. Baby formula
3. Camp stove and extra fuel
4. Ice chest(s)
5. Waterless soap
6. Extra charcoal/propane for BBQ pit
7. Disposable plates/cups/utensils/napkins
8. Salt/pepper/sugar
9. Aluminum foil
10. Garbage bags


URLs Cited in my Hurricane Talk

1. http://www.securedoor.com/ -- Garage door bracing hardware

2. http://www.readytown.com -- Hurricane planning widget for businesses

3. http://mywatersafe.com/ -- Water storage containers

4. http://www.readykit.com/ -- Hurricane preparedness kit

5. http://worldprep.com/ -- Hurricane preparedness kit

6. http://www.hurricanestore.com/kits.html ... agodNhJncA
The Hurricane Store – preparedness kits, flashlights, tools, etc.

7. http://www.radioshack.com -- Battery-powered Auvio 3.5” TV

8. http://www.batterysavers.com/ -- Battery-powered devices

9. http://www.just-mobileonline.com/produc ... ies_9.html -- Just Mobile “Gum Pro”

10. http://www.solio.com/charger/solio-char ... esium.html -- Solio Mag solar charger

11. http://luckypacks.com/EXTERNAL-IPHONE-B ... Ah-p5.html --
U20 I-UP 5400 external battery pack/charger for phones and other devices

12. http://www.mountaingear.com/ -- Search for “Headlamp”

13. http://www.lashen.com/vendors/tripplite ... esktop.asp -- Line conditioner

14. http://www.tripplite.com/ -- Automobile power inverter

15. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml -- NHC hurricane preparedness web site

16. https://www.meted.ucar.edu/loginForm.ph ... Fchp%252F# -- COMET hurricane preparedness module (requires free registration)

17. http://www.ready.gov/ -- FEMA hurricane preparedness site

18. http://www.hcfcd.org/tropicalweather/evacuation.html -- Harris County Flood Control District evacuation plan for Houston/Galveston

19. http://www.readyhoustontx.gov/ -- Houston’s hurricane preparation web site with a “Make a Plan” widget.

20. http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/bolivar -- Aerial photography of Bolivar Peninsula

21. http://www.houstonhidefromthewind.org/ -- Houston’s predicted maximum sustained wind data by zip code


Great list! I'd add a couple of items: 1. Roofing nails, the kind with the plastic disk on them, to secure tarps on the roof. 2. Flex seal or similar, for leaks around windows, roof, etc.
1 likes   


Return to “Hurricane Preparation”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests