Tropical Storm Isaac: Use our hurricane kit checklist to be prepared

Make sure that you and your family are prepared in case of emergency by going through our sample check list below.

 

Food Supplies

Get enough nonperishable foods now for two weeks. Then put them in a box and leave them alone. Don’t buy foods that are salty or dry or high in fat or protein; they’ll make you thirsty.

-Water: 2 qts. to 1 gal. per person (get a week’s supply)
-Ice
-Packaged juice and milk boxes
-Canned and powdered milk
-Beverages (powdered or canned,
-Fruit juices, instant coffee, tea)
-Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, packaged pudding)
-Canned vegetables and fruits
-Dried fruits
-Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
-Snack spreads (peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
-Cereals
-Raw vegetables
-Sugar, salt, pepper
-Bread
-Dry and canned pet food
-Extra formula, baby food

Baby Needs

-Disposable diapers
-Wipes
-Diaper-rash ointment, petroleum jelly
-Baby medicines (pain, cold, cough)
-Medicine dropper
-Extra formula, baby food

Kitchen Supplies

-Manual can opener
-Bottle opener
-Matches in a plastic bag
-Pocket knife (preferably Swiss Army-style)
-Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use canned fuel, not charcoal or gas
-Ice chests or coolers
-Paper plates, napkins
-Plastic cups, knives, forks, spoons

Emergency Toilet

-Small can or garbage can with tight lid
-Plastic bags for liners
-Disinfectant or bleach
-Deodorizer

Health & Medical Needs

-Drugstores will be mobbed just before a storm and closed for days after. Keep a 2-week supply of prescription drugs.
-Medic Alert tags
-Insect repellent sprays and candles
-Feminine hygiene items
-Insect bite lotion
-Sunscreen
-Soap
-First-aid kit
-First-aid handbook
-Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies)
-Children’s medicines
-Aspirin
-Diarrhea medication
-Bandages
-Adhesive tape
-Cotton-tipped swabs
-Antiseptic solution
-Sterile rolls, bandages
-Tweezers
-Needles
-Disinfectant
-Plastic bags, jugs or containers (to store water and ice)
-Water purification tablets
-Plastic to line bathtub

Hardware

-Hand tools - hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
-Power screwdriver
-4x8 ft sheets of plywood 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch thick to put over your windows. Make sure you ask for exterior plywood.
-1/4 inch machine screw sockets and screws
-Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
-Rope
-Sturdy working gloves
-Duct tape to waterproof items. (Masking tape isn’t strong enough.
-Canvas tarps
-Nails: There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need. A nail too small, the wrong shape or hammered in wrong will fail, and that will give the storm the breach it needs to get into your home.

 

Electronics

 

-Flashlights

-Fully charged cell phone

-Battery powered portable cell phone

-Enough AA, AAA and C batteries for at least three days. These are the most commonly used sizes for flashlights, and other portable electronics that might be necessary.

-A hand-powered emergency weather radio

-If you have a smartphone, you can download Storm Shield, our life-saving app that is like a NOAA Emergency Weather Radio for your mobile device.