Hurricanes bring more than high winds — they can cut off power, contaminate water, and leave families stranded for days. Whether you’re ordered to evacuate or sheltering in place, preparation...
Hurricanes are among the most destructive natural disasters in the U.S., bringing storm surge, flooding, power outages, and weeks of disruption. Unlike earthquakes or tornadoes, we usually get warning — but too many people still wait until the last minute.
Preparedness comes down to two realities: you either shelter in place or you evacuate. The core supplies overlap, but each scenario has its own priorities. This guide covers both situations and explains the why behind each recommendation so you can make informed choices for your household.
Evacuation:
Ordered in coastal or flood zones.
Requires a portable go-bag packed and ready.
Prioritize mobility, compact food, and portable power.
Fuel your vehicle early — gas stations often run dry in the 24–48 hours before landfall. Park away from trees or powerlines to reduce risk of damage.
Sheltering in Place:
Common outside mandatory zones.
Requires deeper stockpiles: 2 weeks of food and water minimum.
Prepare for no power, no tap water, and limited mobility.
Reinforce your home ahead of the storm: cover windows with storm shutters or plywood, secure doors, and bring in outdoor furniture that can become projectiles.
Applies to Both:
Communication tools, medical supplies, lighting, and personal hygiene.
Family communication and evacuation plan.
Dry storage for documents, prescriptions, and essentials.
A hurricane can shut down stores and knock out power for weeks. Stock:
3 days minimum for go-bags
2 weeks or more for sheltering
✔️ Canned goods, peanut butter, jerky, nuts, granola, and dried fruit.
✔️ Freeze-dried meals or MREs — lightweight and long shelf life.
✔️ Dehydrated meals can be rehydrated with cold water if necessary; it just takes longer.
✔️ Manual can opener.
✔️ Pet food.
✔️ Baby formula and baby food for infants.
Shop Emergency Survival Foods for shelf-stable rations suited for both sheltering and mobility.
If cooking is possible, Stoves & Accessories let you boil water or heat meals outdoors safely. Never cook inside with propane or charcoal stoves — carbon monoxide is deadly. Use them in a well-ventilated area where they can’t be accidentally tipped or knocked over. Pair with Fuel Tanks & Accessories to extend capability.
Store 1 gallon per person per day:
3 days (minimum go-bag)
14 days (shelter at home)
Why it matters: after hurricanes, groundwater is often contaminated by sewage, chemicals, and fuel spills. Municipal systems may fail or be shut off. Even if water is flowing, it may not be safe to drink.
✔️ Store bottled water ahead of the storm.
✔️ Fill bathtubs and large containers for washing and flushing.
✔️ Pack filters, purification tablets, or even unscented bleach for backup treatment.
The Hydration collection covers both storage and treatment options. Compact systems like the Sawyer 1-gallon filter give you safe water even when infrastructure fails.
Hurricanes often knock out the grid for days or weeks. In some cases, entire regions remain without electricity for a month. Plan as if you’ll be without power long-term.
Key principles:
Charge early: Phones, radios, and power banks should be fully charged before landfall. Don’t drain them until necessary.
Conserve: Use devices sparingly during outages. Keep them off until needed.
Diversify: Rely on more than one power source — solar, battery, vehicle, and generator.
Lighting:
Headlamps for hands-free work.
Flashlight & Headlamp Batteries — stockpile extras.
Camp Lighting for illuminating entire rooms or outdoor spaces.
Backup Power:
Solar Generators — quiet, safe, and ideal for indoor use.
Battery Inverters — convert stored power into usable household current.
Solar Panels — recharge batteries and power stations during extended outages.
Batteries — keep multiples for radios, lights, and small devices.
Life-Sustaining Medical Equipment
If someone in your home relies on powered medical devices, this is non-negotiable. Plan for:
CPAP machines (for sleep apnea) — without them, patients may face dangerous breathing interruptions.
Home oxygen concentrators — critical for people with COPD or other respiratory issues.
Powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters — ensure charging solutions exist.
Refrigeration for medications (insulin, certain injectables) — requires coolers or generator backup.
A solar generator paired with panels can keep essential medical gear online quietly and safely indoors when gas generators aren’t an option. If you rely on these devices, make backup planning your top priority.
Storm aftermath brings injuries, illness, and disruptions in medical care. Emergency services may not reach you for hours or even days.
First Aid Kits for everyday cuts, burns, and scrapes.
Trauma & First Aid for life-threatening bleeding or serious injuries.
Prescription medications: keep a 7–30 day supply ready. Hurricanes often close pharmacies for days; refills may be impossible.
OTC meds: pain relievers, antacids, antihistamines, anti-diarrheals — illness is common in post-storm conditions.
Baby formula, diapers, and wipes: infants may need specialized supplies you can’t improvise.
Special needs: eyeglasses, hearing aids with spare batteries, mobility aids, and adaptive equipment.
Delayed Care
Hospitals may run on backup generators, but roads can be impassable. If you have a chronic condition, plan as if you won’t see a doctor or refill a prescription for two weeks.
Cell towers often fail. Stay connected with:
Communications gear: NOAA radios, GMRS/FRS handhelds.
Backup charging methods (solar, battery packs).
Family communication plan with meeting points and printed contact lists.
Your home is your first line of defense. Before the storm:
Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood.
Reinforce garage doors.
Secure loose outdoor items (grills, trash cans, patio furniture).
Identify your safest room (interior, windowless, away from flood zones).
For evacuation or damage response:
Tarps & Hammocks — tarps are essential for emergency roof and window repairs.
Ponchos & Rain Gear — critical for staying dry during evacuations or cleanup.
Emergency blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm in shelters or without power.
Organization matters when you may need to leave in minutes.
Backpacks — choose durable, comfortable packs for evacuation go-bags.
Dry Bags — protect electronics, documents, and clothing from floodwaters.
Public health risks spike after hurricanes. Without clean water, infections spread quickly.
Camp Bath — wipes, portable wash systems, and hygiene kits.
Toilet paper, trash bags, and hand sanitizer.
Feminine hygiene products.
Bucket and liner setup for emergency toilets if sewer systems fail.
If sewer still works but water is out: fill a bucket from stored water and use it for flushing.
Post-storm survival often comes down to having the right tools:
Multi-tool (pliers, knife, screwdrivers).
Wrench/pliers to shut off utilities.
Duct tape and plastic sheeting for quick repairs.
Gloves, sturdy shoes, and dust masks for debris cleanup.
Whistle for signaling to rescuers.
Fire extinguisher for post-storm electrical or cooking fires.
Even seasoned preppers and families who think they’re ready often miss these. Double-check your kit against this list:
Baby formula, diapers, and wipes — not impossible to improvise, but far from ideal.
Pet food and leashes/carriers — shelters may not provide for pets.
Spare eyeglasses or contacts — if yours break, you’re in trouble.
Paper maps — GPS may fail when cell towers go down.
Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers often fail post-storm.
Utility shutoff tools — wrenches and pliers for water/gas lines.
Work gloves and dust masks — cleanup is dangerous without them.
Portable phone charger/power bank — communication lifeline.
Spare keys — for both car and house, in case one set is lost.
Comfort items — books, cards, candy, or toys to keep morale up.
When authorities issue an evacuation order, you may have only minutes. A properly built go-bag ensures you leave with what you need to survive. Use a durable Backpack as your base.
Core Supplies
Water: At least 3 liters plus a compact filter or purification tablets (Hydration).
Food: 3 days of shelf-stable meals, bars, or rations (Emergency Survival Foods).
Lighting: Flashlight, headlamp, extra batteries (Flashlights & Headlamps).
First Aid: Compact kit plus prescription meds (First Aid Kits).
Comms: NOAA radio or handheld GMRS/FRS unit (Communications).
Documents: IDs, insurance papers, bank info, stored in a Dry Bag.
Cash: At least $200 in small bills.
Clothing: Change of clothes, rain gear (Ponchos & Rain Gear), sturdy shoes.
Sanitation: Wipes, hand sanitizer, small camp bath items (Camp Bath).
Special Needs
Baby formula, diapers, bottles, and comfort toys.
Pet food, carrier, vaccination records.
Glasses, hearing aids with spare batteries.
Essential medical devices (CPAP, oxygen concentrator) with backup power.
Shelter Items
Compact tarp or poncho (Tarps & Hammocks).
Emergency blanket or sleeping bag.
Tools
Multi-tool with knife and pliers.
Duct tape and plastic sheeting.
Utility wrench for gas/water shutoff.
Whistle for signaling.
Keep your go-bag in a central, easy-to-grab spot. Every family member should know where it is. Rotate contents every year before hurricane season starts.
Critical paperwork and funds make recovery faster:
IDs, insurance policies, medical records.
Copies on USB drive or cloud backup.
Emergency cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers may be down.
Spare keys for home and vehicle.
Whether you’re evacuating with a go-bag or sheltering at home for two weeks, planning now ensures you and your family stay safe when the storm arrives.
