Create a Hurricane Emergency Kit

Most people remember Hurricane Katrina. The storm battered the Gulf Coast; even five years later, some places have not fully recovered. One memory that burns in my mind, at least, is pictures and video of people without food or water after the hurricane hit. They were just waiting for someone to come rescue them and bring food to them. When hurricanes approach, it's important to take some time to prepare. Waiting until the last minute could be disastrous. The stores may sell out and you could be left begging for food and water. By creating a hurricane emergency kit, you'll be one step closer to being prepared in case a hurricane comes your way.

Food and Water

One thing that you can't live without is food and water. In the event of a hurricane, you can't count on other people to come and rescue you. Keep some canned food in your house at all time (make sure that you also have a can opener, unless all your canned goods are the kind with the pop-off top). Try to have a variety of canned foods, like fruits, vegetables, and meat like tuna or canned chicken. You may not be able to cook after a hurricane; make sure that your family has something to eat. In addition to food, you'll want to have water. Every person will need about one gallon of water per day; you may need a seven-day supply. You can fill up a bathtub with water before a hurricane hits; I'm not sure if I would want to drink bath water as part of the one gallon per day supply, but it could be useful to use for flushing the toilet.

Electronics

There are some electronics items that would be helpful if a hurricane hits. In the last decade, more products have hit the market that don't need batteries. One item that you will want to have is a flashlight (preferably one for every member of your family). A flashlight with a hand crank makes it easy to find things in the dark, and you never have to worry about batteries. You'll also want a radio to keep up-to-date on where the storm is headed and for safe evacuation routes, if necessary. You can find emergency radios with hand cranks that don't need batteries. A cell phone with a solar charger, or a corded phone, will help you get in touch with people if the power goes out.

Other Useful Items

Other things that you might want to have in the event of a hurricane are toilet paper, trash bags, and a first aid kit. You can use the trash bags for trash, of course, but you can also place valuables like pictures and important papers in them for safe keeping (just don't mistake your valuables for trash). If you live in a low-lying area that may be flooded, you might want some wading pants; these would allow you to walk in the water without exposing yourself to contaminated water. If anybody in your family has prescription drugs, try to keep a good supply. Bleach can help you clean up your home if contaminated water enters. A pocket knife would be useful if you need to cut things. If you have a little extra money, you might want to invest in a charcoal or propane barbecue; this would allow you to cook food, even if the power went out.

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for a hurricane. It is best to always have a supply of these emergency hurricane items; if that is not possible, try to finish any preparations while the storm is still in the middle of the Atlantic (filling the bathtub can probably wait until it gets close). Hurricanes take a while to arrive, but if you wait until the last minute, you'll be left with empty store shelves.

Source:

"How to Prepare for a Hurricane". Wikihow.com.