What Supplies Should You Get Before a Hurricane Comes?
- A hurricane can leave devastation in its wake, so it's important to be prepared and have supplies on hand.hurricane clouds, background image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
If you live in an area where hurricanes occur, the time to prepare for a storm is well in advance of hurricane season. In the time immediately before, during and after a hurricane, local stores may be closed or out of supplies, so it is important to prepare your home and family early. Gather your emergency supplies and be ready to evacuate if necessary when a hurricane hits. - Water is the first thing you will need during a hurricane. Your tap water may be contaminated or fail to work altogether, so store up enough water for each family member to have at least one quart per day. If you can, store enough for a gallon per person per day, and plan to have at least three days' worth of supplies on hand. Change out the water supply every two months to be sure it is still clean and safe to drink. Prepare a supply of non-perishable food items that do not need to be cooked. Choose items like canned fruits, dried meats, energy bars, granola, crackers and peanut butter. Include dried milk and canned fruit juices, as well.
- Keep a ready supply of all of your family's medications in stock, including over-the-counter medications. A first aid kit may be necessary in these situations. Keep a few flashlights and plenty of batteries, and consider purchasing a generator, in case your electricity is out for an extended period of time. Be ready to pack a suitcase quickly in case you have to evacuate; keep extra clothing and blankets for this purpose, as well.
- You will need to shield your home against the power of the storm, as well. Have window protection ready to go, such as storm shutters or window protection panels. Bring in any unsecured items from outdoors, such as children's toys or grilling equipment. Have an emergency radio in your home so you can hear important government announcements, and keep an extra can of gasoline in your garage in case you need to fuel up for an evacuation, as the local gas stations may run out of fuel.
