Most people underestimate the amount of water they need during a storm.  You should plan on one gallon of water per person per day for at least seven days, for drinking and sanitation.  Remember, you will also be brushing your teeth with this water and flushing the toilet with water.  I like a product called the “Water Bob.”  The WaterBOB Bathtub Emergency Water Storage Container holds up to 100 gallons of water in your bathtub.  This is ideal if you have a spare bathtub in the house.

 

Food - at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable food.  Remember, you need a way to prepare this food and you may not have electric or refrigeration.  I like canned spaghetti as my go to emergency food.  It is easy to store, inexpensive to purchase and if needed could be eaten cold. 


DOCUMENT BAG CONTENTS  (Waterproof bag)

  • Current photo IDs, driver licenses, birth records, Social Security cards, passports
  • Photos of family members in case you get separated
  • Health insurance and prescription cards
  • Medical records, medications and dosages.  Print out a list of all medications.
  • Phone numbers (family, friends, neighbors and your doctors)
  • Bank account information, checkbook(s) and credit cards.
  • Cash – ATM machines and credit card machines may be down.  You need money - several thousand dollars for hotels, food, gasoline and other essential items. 
  • Wills. living wills and other important legal documents.
  • Insurance documents (homeowner, renter, flood, life and health insurance)
  • Property deeds, leases, mortgages
  • Vehicle titles, insurance, leases, loan documents
  • Inventory of household possessions and their value
  • Backup computer files (on a USB drive or back up to the cloud)
  • Copies of important keys
  • Utility bills (to prove where you live).
  • Take pictures and videos of your home and valuables and backup to a safe place (USB and Cloud).


COMMUNICATION & LIGHTING

  • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries or crank radio (emergency alert radio is best)
  • Battery-powered TV with extra batteries and good antenna.
  • CB Radio and Walkie Talkies - Great for keeping in contact with friends and family close by when cell towers are down.
  • Extra cell phone and iPad house chargers, car chargers and portable chargers.
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Battery powered LED lanterns.   Good ones put off a lot of light with no heat or danger of fire.
  • Chemical Light Sticks - Chem lights
  • Matches and lighter
  • Whistle and Air Horn
  • Reading glasses and sunglasses


FOR SHELTERING IN PLACE

  • Smoke detectors with extra batteries
  • Carbon monoxide detectors - Especially if you are using generators, BBQ - charcoal grills or camp stoves.
  • Fire extinguishers - Kitchen, Bedroom and Garage
  • Land line phone with extra long cord (old style – without electric plug).
  • Generator + Fuel + extension cords + Chain and pad lock to prevent theft.
  • Security #1 – Battery operated motion sensor alarms.  I like Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarms - External link opens in new tab or windowhttps://www.guardlinesecurity.com
  • Security #2 – Solar powered motion sensor lights.   Even when the power is off these turn off when motion is detected.
  • Plastic plates, cups and utensils
  • Can opener – manual (not electric) / Bottle Opener & Cork Screw
  • Matches and lighters in a plastic bag
  • Water for drinking, water for cleaning and water for flushing toilets.
  • BBQ Grill or camp stove for cooking.
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
  • Battery-powered TV and AM / FM radio for the local news.
  • Solar Chargers - to charge your cell phone and devices.
  • Walkie Talkies – Great way to communicate with family and friends nearby.
  • Batteries - various sizes.  Make certain you have enough for your flashlight as well as your radio and battery operated TV.  These items can use up batteries quickly.
  • Plastic garbage bags - various sizes for yard cleanup and household trash.
  • Zip lock plastic bags to keep food fresh and free of insects. 
  • Ice chests or coolers.  The better coolers have heavy duty insulation making ice last longer.


PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITH ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS

  • Wheelchairs, walkers and canes
  • Cooler with cold packs for medications
  • Extra medications and dosages
  • Copies of prescriptions and medical alert tags
  • Food for special diets
  • Medical supplies (oxygen, glucose monitoring strips, syringes, etc.)
  • Hearing aids with extra batteries
  • Supplies and documentation for service animals


PET SUPPLIES

  • 7-day supply of food, water, pet treats and bowls
  • Medications and pet first-aid kit
  • Vaccination records
  • Crate or carrier (may be required in shelters or where you spend the night)
  • Leash and toys
  • Photo of your pet in case your pet gets lost
  • Cat litter and box
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435