Hurricane Information & Suggested Supplies: After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. It is best to prepare for the event of a hurricane and be as self sufficient as you are able.
One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you’ve gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.To Prepare Your Kit You may need your supplies if your family is confined at home. Place the supplies you’d most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container.
There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Possible containers include:- a large, covered trash container
- Camping backpack
- Duffle bag
- Plastic 40 gallon containers from Target or Walmart
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Water Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two – four quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
Store one gallon of water per person. Keep at least a three-day supply of per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts of water for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation.) |
First-Aid Kit Assemble a first-aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first-aid kit should include:- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Latex gloves (2 pair)
- Sunscreen
- 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- Triangular bandages (3)
- Non-prescription drugs
- 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue blades (2)
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (for stomach upset)
- Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
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Tools and Supplies |
- Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Battery operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Non-electric can opener, utility knife
- Fire extinguisher: small canister A-B-C type
- One basic set of tools
- Pliers
- Tape
- Hammer
- Cordless drill
- Compass
- (4) – 4×8 3/4″ – Sheets of Plywood
- (4) – 10’×20′ Tarps
- (200) 10# & Roofing Nails
- (4) Work Gloves
- Roll of Visqueen – Plastic roll
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Needles, thread
- Medicine dropper
- Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Map of the area (for locating shelters)
- Brooms and Mops
- Caulk and Caulk gun
- Cleaning supplies and disinfectant
- Chain saw with fuel, Hand saw, shears
- Plastic trash bags
- 100ft of Rope
- Pails and buckets
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Sanitation- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding- At least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Rain gear
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Bath towels
- Hat and gloves
- Sunglasses
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Special Disaster Readiness Items Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or
disabled persons |
| For Baby | For Adults | Entertainment |
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Medications
| - Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
| - Board Games
- Books
- Playing Cards
- Puzzles
- Crosswords Puzzles
- Audio Books
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Important Family Documents Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
- Wills
- insurance policies
- Contracts
- Deeds
- Stocks and bonds
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card account numbers and companies
- Passports
- Social security cards
- Immunization records
- Inventory of valuable household goods
- Important telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
- Copies of Utility Bills – Electric, Water, Cable, Phone and Cellphone
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Storing Your Disaster Kit Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.
Keep items in air tight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.Other thoughts:- Keep Cash or traveler’s checks, change
- Gather supplies early
- Store loose outdoor items
- Anchor small sheds
- Trim dead branches from trees and shrubs
- Put chorine in pool; protect filter & motor
- Shutter or board up windows
- Fill gas tank of cars
- Fill Gas Containers for Generators – add fuel extenders
- Park cars in safe place
- Remove valuables (furniture and rugs) from floor of house
- Move furniture away from window; cover with plastic
- Keep tuned to radio or television for the latest information
- Design your plan to keep your family self-sufficient for four days until relief operations are effective.
- Mark each item with date of purchase.
- Buy new food each year one month before hurricane season starts (June 1st) and use it after Hurricane Season ends (November 1st) for regular meals.
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Sample Emergency list:
Food
Store at least a four-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
Adjust the amount for the number of family members – I am assuming a family of 4.
| DRY FOOD | CANNED GOODS |
| 1 box – Saltine Crackers
5 lb bag – Rice
1 box – Granola Bars
1 box – Potato Sticks
1 box – Instant Oatmeal
2 jars – Peanut Butter
1 bag – M&M’s
1 bag – Almonds
2 bags – Pre-sweetened Kool-aid
2 boxes – Macaroni & Cheese
2 boxes – Cup-a-soup
1 box – Raisins
2 boxes – Jello
1 jar – Instant Coffee
1 box – Tea
1 box – Sugar
1 jar – Creamer | 4 cans – Pork & Beans or Vegetarian beans
4 cans – White potatoes
4 cans – Corn
4 cans – Green beans
4 cans – Soup – Chicken Noodle
4 cans – Spaghetti & meatballs
4 cans – Ravioli
4 cans – Spam
8 cans – Tuna fish
2 cans – Chili
2 cans – Beef Stew
4 can – Pears
4 can – Fruit cocktail
1 can – Pineapple
1 can – Peaches
1 6 pack -Applesauce |
| WATER – Key – 1 gallon per person per day
(4) gallons per day
28 gallons per week per person or 112 quarts per week per week |
| STAPLES | CAMPING SUPPLIES |
| 1 – Battery Alarm clock
1 – Can opener
50 each – Paper Plates
50 each – Hot Cups
50 each – Plastic spoons & forks
1 box – Aluminum Foil
2 bars – Soap
1 – tube of tooth paste
4 – tooth brushes
1 bottle – Shampoo
4 rolls – Toilet paper
4 rolls – Paper towels
1 roll – Masking tape
1 roll -Duct tape
6 Boxes -Matches or (2-3) butane lighters
16 – D Batteries
16 – C Batteries
32 – AA Batteries
2 – Flashlights
1 – Portable Radio
1 – bottle Clorox Bleach
1 – Medicine Dropper
1 – First Aid Kit
1 – Box Sanitary Napkins
1 – Envelope with $200.00 in $10, $1 & $5’s
1 – container Pet food – if you have a pet | 4 – Sleeping Bags
4 – Blankets, Pillows
4 – Camping mattress
1 – Mosquito Repellent
1 – Bottle os SPF 50 Sunscreen
1 – Mosquito Netting
1 – Lantern – for Outdoor Use
1 – gallon Lantern Fuel- for Outdoor Use
1 – Camp Stove (If you don’t have one, get a small Sterno stove) or gas BBQ
2 – filled propane gas tanks for BBQ
1 – set of cooking utensils for BBQ
1 – Cooking Kit – pots, pans, kettle, large spoon
———————————————– CLOTHING (4) sets – 2 changes of Clothing per day
(4) Hats – for sun protections
(4) Toilet Kits
(4) Towels
(4) Sturdy Footwear |
