Tonye Brown

December 06, 2023

 • 7 min read

How to Prepare Your Complete Emergency Storm Kit Before Storm Season: The Ultimate Guide

With storm threats looming as peak hurricane, tornado and flooding seasons approach, wise households make assembling well-stocked emergency preparedness kits a top priority.

With storm threats looming as peak hurricane, tornado and flooding seasons approach, wise households make assembling well-stocked emergency preparedness kits a top priority.👍

Failing to gather key provisions and backups ahead of time risks scrambling anxiously amidst bare store shelves and supply chain shortages if extreme weather suddenly bears down on your area. 😰Don’t get caught defenseless!

This definitive guide outlines essential items every storm kit should contain plus organization tips for easy access when unpredictable winds, waters or quakes hit. We’ll walk through tailored checklists by storm type covering all basics from food to first aid so you can customize kits addressing vulnerabilities specific to your household’s needs. ⚡🌊🌪️

Let’s get you fully prepped with peace of mind before skies open up! 🌂

📍STEP 1: Assess Regional Risk Factors

To tailor emergency provisions well, first realistically assess likely storm threats during particular months based on geographic location.

Coastal Zones:

• Hurricane vulnerability peaks June-November with flooding storm surges, powerful winds.
• Tornado likelihood lower.
• Consider cyberattacks on vital infrastructure.

Interior Plains/Lowlands:

• Tornado Alley faces peak twister strikes March-July amidst thunderstorms.
• Flash flooding common.
• Heatwaves strain electric grids.

Islands:

• Typhoons and monsoons more likely carrying major rainfall, mudslide risks plus isolation factors.
• Language translation guides useful.

Plan for disasters most probable where you live while still maintaining generalized preparedness. Now let’s cover kit essentials.

📍STEP 2: Stock 3 Week Supply of Shelf-Stable Food 🍜

When storms knock out electricity/gas or disrupt water access, shelf-stable foods not requiring refrigeration or cooking become essential nutrition. ⚡🔌🚰

Experts recommend keeping 2-4 week supply to cover potential infrastructure disruptions. Prioritize: 🍝

• Canned vegetables, beans, soups and proteins all easily eaten cold if needed
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Crackers, granola bars
• Peanut butter, nut butters
• Powdered milk, plant-based milk boxes, protein shakes
• Electrolyte hydration drink mixes

Rotate stock biannually to keep selections fresh but perpetually replenish important reserves! ✅

📍STEP 3: Prepare Home Cooking Backups ⚙️

Beyond no-cook ready to eat items, equip for alternate emergency cooking methods when gas/electric stoves fail:

• Portable propane camping stoves
• Stock propane fuel canisters
• Waterproof stormproof matches, lighters
• Firewood if outdoor grilling possível

Also gather: 🍳

• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Reusable plates, cups, utensils
• Manual can openers
• Wine corkscrew 🍷

Backup power allows flexible storm menu options hot and tasty! 🔥

📍STEP 4: Assemble Home Medical Kit 💊

Storm-caused injuries and inability to access hospitals or pharmacies makes well-equipped medical kits vital including: ➕🩺

• Antibiotic & antiseptic ointments
• Various bandage, gauze options
• Pain/fever relievers like Tylenol
• Antihistamines for allergies
• Prescriptions & dosing instructions
• Digital thermometers & blood pressure cuffs 🩸
• First aid instruction booklets 📘

Boost independence meeting medical needs if professional care is delayed. ✅

📍STEP 5: Water Storage Calcs & Tips 💧

Storm shutdowns of municipal water utilities make household backup water reserves critical. But how much exactly? The CDC breaks it down:

Stock minimum 1 gallon per person/pet DAILY:

• Consumption = minimum half gallon
• Food prep/sanitation = additional half gallon+

A family of 4 with 2 pets needs 14 gallons stored to survive 1 standard week without infrastructure!

Also consider:

• Store water in food safe plastic containers, disinfected barrels 🥤
• Label containers by date filled for freshness checks ⏱
• Rotate supply through routine use preventing stagnation 🚰

Don’t underestimate critical hydration needs if the taps suddenly shut off! 💧

📍STEP 6: Manual Tools For Communication & Safety ⛑️

Storm-caused isolation and power/utilities loss means certain manual tools provide security, safety or alternate communication/information access when digital infrastructure fails. 📡

Safety & Security🛡️

• LED flashlights, battery lanterns, glowsticks
• Fire extinguishers
• Weather radio with manual generators
• Whistles signaling help requests 📢
• Emergency thermal blankets

Communication 📞

• Battery/crank powered portable phone chargers
• Non-electric landline phones
• Two-way emergency radios accessing community channels & updates
• Paper copies of key contacts/documents/maps 🗺

Don’t underestimate the potential lifesaving utility manual analog tools offer in keepingdanger, panic and isolation at bay without electricity! ⚠️🔋

📍STEP 7: Cash Reserves In Case Systems Fail 💵

Flooded buildings can destroy paper money but it’s wise to keep small cash reserves for non-digital transactions when critical.

If extended regional power loss occurs, electronic credit/debit payments may fail even where physical currency remains usable.

• Keep ~$100-500+ in small bills sealed bags 💰
• Also gather coins for laundry, vending purchases 🪙
• External battery packs allow crypto access if operative 🔋

Remember - no electricity = no scannable sales in worst cases. 💳❌ Cash back-ups bridge potential commerce gaps. 🤝

📍STEP 8: Secure Vital Records Offline 🏛️

Beyond physical safety, major storms also threaten irretrievable loss of digital data and confidential documentation when buildings flood with computer servers/files destroyed. 💻❌👎

• Photograph/scan important paperwork 📸
• Store encrypted backups on external hard drives/discs stored offsite or cloud ☁️
• Print extra hard copies as alternate proof sources ✅
• Place papers high above potential water levels

Don’t gamble entire informational livelihoods solely online during endemic climate disruptions! 😰

📍STEP 9: Gather Pet Preparedness Provisions 🐕

For pet owners, emergency kits require special accommodations including:

👉 Short Term Holding Supplies

• Collapsible crate/carriers to transport animals 🐈‍⬛
• Leashes/harnesses avoiding escapes 🐕‍🦺
• Unique pet ID/microchips, photos 🖼️
• Cotton leash/muzzle if nervous around strangers/loud noises 🦮
• 3-7 day supply medications, prescription pet food 🍖

👉 Long Term Sheltering Gear

• 30 day supply standard kibble/canned foods 🥫
• Rotated water, bowls, litter boxes/waste bags 💧
• First aid ointments for minor wounds 🩹
• Calming anti-anxiety treats 🦴
• Favorite toys, treats 🧸

Don’t gamble beloved companions’ safety amidst catastrophe either! 🐾

📍STEP 10: Tackle Sanitation & Cleanup Challenges 🧹

Extended power outages and flooded buildings create biohazard risks threatening health without restorative amenities functioning. Minimize threats by stocking:

• Large heavy duty garbage bags👛
• Bath wipes 🛀
• Chlorine bleach & disinfectants 🧴
• Masks, protective gloves 😷
• Shovels, heavy work gloves 🏋️‍♀️
• Water purifying tablets 💊
• Rodent/insect repellants 🪳

Safeguard your family against illness stemming from lapses utility companies can’t quickly reinstate post-disasters. 🏥☣️

📍STEP 11: Prepare Your Go-Bags 💼

Besides household buffers, experts recommend individuals maintain personalized emergency 72-hour go-bags for urgent evacuation mobilization containing:

• Flashlight, radio 📻
• Whistle 📢
• Dust masks 😷
• Emergency pajamas, underwear, socks 👕👖
• Rain ponchos, emergency blankets 👔🧣🌂⛱️🌡️
• Bottled water 🚰
• Snack foods 🍇🥜
• Lightweight utensils 🥄
• Manual can opener 🥫
• Crucial medications, glasses 💊👓
• Cash in small bills 💵
• First aid items 🩹
• Notepad and pen ✏️📝
• Photos, external drive for vital digital info ☁️🖼️
• List of emergency contacts 📱

• ---

Keep backpacks by the door ready to swiftly evacuate if urgent orders come. 🚧👟🎒

📍STEP 12: Stages of Emergency Supply Acquisition

Assembling adequate emergency provisions realistically requires systematically building up gradual stockpiles over time. Don’t delay preparedness, but execute it methodically across these accumulation stages as budgets allow:

Stage 1: Focus first on securing water, non-perishable foods, alternate cooking tools, safety items securing 2-7 days initially. 🍜🔦🚰

Stage 2: Expand food pipeline to 2 week supply, increase water capacity, bolster medical resources, upgrade shelters. ☔️🩹🥘🚰

Stage 3: Extend food pipelines 5-8 weeks, reassess tools, expand power backups, reinforce household infrastructure vulnerabilities. 🏡🔋🥫

Careful disciplined growth avoids overwhelming initial costs while still responsibly expanding capacity systematically. Saving lives can’t get delayed by surrendering preparedness ambitions to sticker shock. But pace yourself responsibly. 🙂

📍STEP 13: Review Final Household Readiness

Once individual/family/pet preparations complete, reassess overall household infrastructure for lingering vulnerabilities storms could exploit:

• Hurricane proof windows/doors with protective coverings 🚪🌀
• Flood barriers securing basement entryways 🚧🌊
• Raised electrical systems above prospective water levels 🔋🌧️
• Tree pruning shortening damaging fall length near structures 🎍🌳
• Staked/fastened external accessories like grills lest they become dangerous projectiles 🥩🌪️
• Backup power sources 💡⚡🔦
• Accessible emergency shutoffs of water/gas lines 🚰⛽️
• Extinguishing fires 🔥🚒
• Monitoring household damages/leaks/integrity losses 🏠

Harden structural habitats further through ongoing maintenance and defensive upgrades as affordable. Every bit bolsters resilience compounding with emergency supply stockpiles! 🔨

Special Prep Lists By Disaster Type 🌪️🌀🌊

Beyond foundational response readiness covered above, certain natural disasters warrant targeted supplementary preparations based on manifesting hazards.

Hurricanes

• Plyboard window covering + fasteners
• Backup plywood + tools
• Chainsaws clearing fallen trees
• Weather radio alerts
• Mosquito repellants
• Sun protection

Tornadoes

• Advanced radar tracking apps
• Helmets
• Respirator masks + goggles
• Respirators protecting pets
• Bike helmets for outdoor pets
• Windowless interior room shelter
• Safe room reinforcement

Wildfires

• Respirator masks - P100 grade
• Fire resistant clothing
• Backpack water carriers
• Emergency fire shelters
• 100 foot water hoses
• Shovels smothering flareups
• Maps with evacuation sites

Fortify defenses appropriate to amplified regional risks beyond universal protocols. 🚧🧰

📏 Review Emergency Supply Inventory Checklists

For handy reference, here are condensed checklists summarizing key categories of preparedness essentials your household needs secured by storm season kickoff:

🍜 Food Checklist

🚨 2-8 weeks supply secured:

• Shelf stable proteins: ✅
• Grains, crackers: ✅
• Freeze dried fruits/veg: ✅
• Powdered dairy: ✅
• Snack items: ✅

💊 Medical Checklist

🚨 First aid and care items stocked:

• Common remedies, meds: ✅
• Injury/wound care: ✅
• Personal prescriptions: ✅
• Emergency references: ✅

💧 Water Checklist

🚨 Emergency supply met:

• 1+ gallon per person per day: ✅
• Pet needs included: ✅
• Storage containers secured: ✅

🛡️ Safety Checklist

🚨 Key items secured:

• Backup lighting, chargers: ✅
• Fire suppression tools: ✅
• Escape tools: ✅
• Emergency shelters: ✅
• Manual communication: ✅

🚨 Miscellaneous Checklist

🚨 Other logistics addressed:

• Cash reserves: ✅
• Paper record backups: ✅
• Evacuation transport: ✅
• Special needs items: ✅
• Household hazard protections: ✅

Customize comprehensive list adaptations suitable for your household’s special contingencies like babies, disabilities or other access needs requiring support adjustments. ☑️ 👍🙂

Let the Wind Roar and Waters Rage! 🌪️ 🌊

You’ve proactively done what’s within in your control to optimize emergency preparedness savvy this storm season. Pat yourself proudly on the back! 💪😁👏

Review kits and checklists again once peak months approach but otherwise rest easy this season knowing you’ve responsibly invested in your household’s safety and resilience in the face of whatever nature throws your way.

Now ready those picnic supplies for the living room blanket fort because occasional silver linings exist amidst storms too! Heavy rains invite cozying up indoors. 😉

You’ve got this weather warrior! Here’s to calm skies but storm-ready Hearts and homes no matter what! ☔❤️ 🏡🚧🎒 😎

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s cover some commonly asked questions about emergency storm preparedness:

Should I prioritize water containers or water filtration devices? ✨ Stockpile some bottled water reserves, but also acquire portable filtration systems allowing limitless replenishment even without power. Lifestraws, pumping pitcher filters and chlorine tablets offer flexible options.

How frequently should we cycle out shelf-stable food items? ✨As a rule of thumb, plan to eat and replenish canned/dried foods into everyday rotation about once annually before expiration dates hit. First in, first out! Some exceptions to the 1 year cap exist like honey, salt and white rice reliably edible even decades later!

What key items am I likely forgetting? ✨ Don’t overlook preparing your mental outlook itself! Beyond physical provisions, download morale boosting entertainment like games, uplifting movies, musical playlists beforehand since emotional states impact resilience tremendously but often get overlooked when focused solely on gear.

📚 Storm Preparedness Glossary

Emergency Supply Kit - Refers to pre-gathered backstock of equipment, tools and provisions set aside specifically to aid survival, communication, healthcare and nutrition needs during short or intermediate infrastructure disruptions caused by major natural disasters. Also called bug-out bags.

Evacuation Go Bags - Lightweight individualized grab bags household members keep by the door containing minimal supplies facilitating urgent fleeing disasters requiring immediate departure. Sustains 72 hour periods before additional resource access or shelter secured.

Food Pipelines - The continual supply chain and connected inventory of consecutive food items able to address nutritional needs over a defined duration of time before replenishment required. For example, a 3 week food pipeline contains adequate cumulative calories and nutrients without reliance on shopping trips for 21 days typically centered on non-perishable goods.

Weather/Emergency Radio - Special category of battery powered radios equipped with manual generators specifically able to tune into official government emergency alert broadcasts providing localized updates about natural disaster timelines/instructions otherwise lacking wireless/TV/internet connectivity if electric grids fail.

Bug Out Location - Refers to pre-determined meeting point families pre-establish when customary gathering places become hazardous where survivors reconvene after disaster impact recedes often with their evacuation go-bags in tow. Could be a relative’s distant home