Hurricane Preparedness Items Checklist

By Nate Baker

Hurricanes can disrupt daily life for days or even weeks. Power outages, flooding, water contamination, and supply shortages are common during and after major storms. Preparing in advance with the right hurricane preparedness items helps protect your family, your home, and your peace of mind.

This guide is designed to help you build a clear, practical checklist so you know exactly what to prepare before hurricane season begins. Before we proceed, we recommend you also review this FEMA resource.

Why Hurricane Preparedness Matters

Once a hurricane is approaching, stores empty quickly, and emergency services become overwhelmed. Having your supplies ready in advance allows you to focus on safety instead of scrambling at the last minute.

  • Power outages can last several days or longer
  • Tap water may become unsafe or unavailable
  • Roads and supply chains can be disrupted
  • Emergency response times may be delayed

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Use the checklist below to prepare your home before a hurricane. Adjust quantities based on the number of people and pets in your household.

Water Storage (Top Priority)

Stored water is critical during hurricanes due to flooding, boil advisories, and loss of municipal pressure. Durable, sealed water tanks provide far more reliability than disposable bottles. Learn more about how much water you need.

Food and Cooking Supplies

hurricane preparedness checklist infographic

  • Non-perishable canned foods
  • Dried goods (rice, beans, pasta, oats)
  • Manual can opener
  • Portable stove or grill (for outdoor use only)
  • Disposable plates and utensils

Emergency Power and Lighting

  • Flashlights and headlamps
  • Extra batteries
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • Portable power banks for phones
  • Generator (if owned) with proper extension cords

Medical and Personal Items

  • First aid kit
  • Prescription medications (7+ days)
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
  • N95 masks or dust masks

Important Documents and Cash

  • Copies of IDs and insurance documents
  • Emergency contact list
  • Cash in small bills
  • Waterproof document bag or container

Home Protection and Safety

  • Tarps and plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Work gloves and protective eyewear
  • Basic tools
  • Sandbags (if flooding is likely)

Pet and Family Needs

  • Pet food and water
  • Leashes, carriers, and ID tags
  • Comfort items for children
  • Extra clothing and sturdy shoes

Emergency Water Storage for Hurricanes

Water is often the first and longest-lasting shortage after a hurricane. Flooding can contaminate municipal supplies, and power outages can prevent water from being pumped.

Rotationally molded, food-grade water storage tanks offer a reliable solution because they:

  • Store large volumes of safe drinking water
  • Are durable enough for garages, homes, and sheds
  • Do not require pumps to dispense water
  • Can be stacked to save space

Having dedicated emergency water storage allows your household to remain self-sufficient during extended outages. Here are our options:

Learn more about what is rotatonal molding?

When to Prepare

Hurricane preparedness should be completed before hurricane season begins. Waiting until a storm is named often means empty shelves and limited options.

  • Review your checklist annually
  • Rotate stored water and food as needed
  • Replace batteries and expired items

Final Thoughts

Hurricanes are unpredictable, but preparation doesn’t have to be. A clear checklist and reliable emergency supplies—especially water—can significantly improve safety and comfort during a storm.

Start building your hurricane preparedness kit now so you’re ready long before the next storm appears on the forecast.

Other helpful resources:

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