Hurricane Emergency Kit: Complete Storm Preparedness Supplies

Why Hurricanes Require a Longer Emergency Kit

Hurricanes are among the most destructive natural disasters in the United States, capable of causing catastrophic damage from storm surge, inland flooding, high winds, and tornadoes. Unlike a typical power outage that resolves in hours, hurricane aftermath can leave communities without electricity, clean water, and road access for seven to fourteen days or more. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that households in hurricane-prone regions maintain a supply cache sufficient for at least seven days of self-sufficiency.

Building a hurricane emergency kit requires planning beyond the standard three-day supply. Flooded roads can delay rescue and relief operations for days. Power grid restoration after a major hurricane may take weeks in the hardest-hit areas. You also need storm-specific tools like plywood for boarding windows, plastic sheeting for roof damage, and post-storm cleanup supplies. This guide walks you through every category of supplies, helps you calculate quantities for your household size, and covers storage strategies that keep your kit ready when hurricane season begins.

Water: Seven Days of Drinking and Sanitation Supply

Water is the cornerstone of any hurricane preparedness plan. Store a minimum of one gallon per person per day for seven days. A family of four needs at least 28 gallons. For hot summer months or households with nursing mothers and young children, increase this to two gallons per person per day. Water treatment plants often lose power during hurricanes, and boil-water advisories can last for over a week after the storm passes.

Use food-grade plastic containers such as commercially bottled water or designated water storage drums. Avoid milk and juice containers because residual sugars promote bacterial growth. Store containers in a cool, dark area and label each with the fill date. Replace the supply every six months. As a backup, include water purification tablets and a portable filter like the Sawyer Mini. Fill bathtubs with water on the day the storm arrives for additional emergency supply. Our water storage guide covers container options and purification methods in greater detail.

Non-Perishable Food for Extended Outages

Plan for seven days of meals per person. Adults need approximately 2,000 calories per day, children around 1,400 to 1,800 depending on age. Choose foods that require no refrigeration, minimal preparation, and have long shelf lives. Canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, powdered milk, and ready-to-eat cereal are all excellent choices. Include a manual can opener, disposable utensils, paper plates, and wet wipes.

Account for special dietary needs. Families with infants need formula, baby food, and bottled water for mixing. Elderly family members may need soft foods or nutritional supplement drinks. Those with food allergies should have clearly labeled alternatives. Rotate your food supply every six months. Check our complete 72-hour emergency food list for specific product recommendations and calorie planning strategies that work for extended outages.

Storm-Specific Safety Equipment

Hurricane kits need tools that standard emergency kits often omit. Purchase pre-cut plywood or storm shutters for every window in your home. Include heavy-duty plastic sheeting and duct tape to cover roof damage and broken windows. A pry bar helps remove damaged shutters after the storm. Sturdy work gloves protect your hands during cleanup. Safety goggles shield against flying debris during high winds and flying debris.

Pack a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio so you can track the storm even when cell towers and internet go down. Two-way radios provide family communication when cell networks are overwhelmed. Pack a whistle to signal rescuers if you become trapped. Include a basic tool kit with hammer, nails, screwdriver set, adjustable wrench, and pliers for post-storm home repairs. A fire extinguisher rated for multiple fire types is essential since downed power lines and gas leaks are common after hurricanes.

First Aid and Medical Supplies

A comprehensive first aid kit is critical during hurricane aftermath when emergency services may be delayed. Start with a commercial first aid kit and supplement it with additional supplies. Include adhesive bandages in various sizes, sterile gauze pads, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, antihistamines for allergic reactions, an elastic bandage for sprains, and tweezers for removing splinters and debris.

Include a minimum seven-day supply of any prescription medications your family members take regularly. Keep a written list of all medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors in a waterproof bag. Include a basic first aid manual. Consider taking a CPR and first aid course through the American Red Cross before hurricane season begins. Pack waterproof bandages specifically, as wounds are prone to infection in the humid, debris-filled environment that follows a hurricane.

Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Gear

You must be prepared to either evacuate or shelter in place, depending on the storm track and local authorities. For evacuation, pack a go-bag for each family member with a change of clothes, sturdy shoes, personal hygiene items, medications, and important documents in a waterproof container. Keep car fuel tanks at least three-quarters full during hurricane season and store an additional five gallons of fuel in approved containers if you plan to evacuate by car.

For shelter-in-place, prepare an interior room with sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, and entertainment for children. Board windows and reinforce doors. Fill bathtubs and sinks with water for flushing toilets. Move refrigerated food into coolers with ice if you expect a prolonged outage. Our home evacuation checklist covers the complete go-bag packing list and evacuation route planning strategies.

Lighting, Power, and Communication

Power outages after hurricanes can last days or weeks. Pack at least two LED flashlights per family member with extra batteries. Headlamps are invaluable because they keep your hands free. Chemical glow sticks provide safe, long-lasting illumination for children. Solar-powered lanterns offer a renewable lighting option if the outage extends beyond what battery supplies can handle.

Fully charge portable power banks before the storm and keep them in waterproof bags. Bring charging cables for all family devices. If you own a generator, follow strict safety protocols: never run it indoors, keep it at least 20 feet from windows and doors, and never refuel a hot unit. Pack a list of emergency contact numbers written on paper in case your phone dies. Two-way radios provide reliable short-range family communication when cell towers are overwhelmed. Learn more about backup power options in our emergency power backup guide.

Document Protection and Financial Preparedness

Hurricanes bring flooding that can destroy irreplaceable documents. Store photocopies of photo IDs, insurance policies, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, mortgage documents, vehicle titles, bank account information, and medical records in a waterproof, fireproof bag. Keep digital copies on an encrypted USB drive and in cloud storage you can access from any device.

Cash is critical during power outages when credit card machines and ATMs are offline. Keep a mix of small bills, coins, and at least $300 to $500 in your hurricane kit. Store it in a sealed waterproof bag. Take photographs and video of your home and all belongings before the storm for insurance documentation. Review your homeowner's insurance policy annually to ensure you have adequate wind and flood coverage. Standard homeowner's policies typically do not cover flood damage, so a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy is essential.

Pet Emergency Supplies

Pets are family members who need their own hurricane preparedness supplies. Pack at least seven days of pet food and a supply of fresh water. Bring a portable water bowl, leash with identification tags, a pet carrier or crate, any needed medications, copies of vaccination records, and a comfort item like a favorite toy or blanket to reduce anxiety during the storm.

Identify pet-friendly hotels and evacuation shelters along your evacuation route before the storm approaches. Many emergency shelters do not accept animals. Consider a pet identification tag with your cell phone number and a recent photo of you with your pet in case you become separated. Microchip your pets and keep registration information current. Our bug-out bag guide includes strategies for including pet supplies in your evacuation plan.

Post-Storm Cleanup and Recovery Supplies

After the storm passes, cleanup begins immediately and can be dangerous. Include heavy-duty trash bags, a chainsaw or hand saw for clearing fallen trees, a rake and shovel, tarps for temporary roof repair, and a portable pump for removing standing water from basements. Wear sturdy boots, gloves, and safety goggles during cleanup to protect against nails, glass, and contaminated water.

Mold prevention is critical in the humid post-hurricane environment. Begin drying out your home within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and open windows if conditions allow. Remove wet drywall, carpet, and insulation promptly. Document all damage with photographs before cleanup for insurance claims. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Our home emergency kit guide covers additional post-storm recovery strategies and supplies.