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What to Include in a Hurricane Emergency Kit
A complete hurricane kit covers water, food, power, medical needs, documents, and mobility—packed where you can grab it in minutes.
When a storm is on the way, it’s too late to assemble a kit. This guide gives you a quantity-based checklist, packing tips, and a rotation schedule so you can build (and maintain) a kit that actually works—at home, in your car, and for your pets. It’s written for households, small businesses, and community groups.
Related reads: How to Prepare for Hurricane Season • Hurricane Categories Explained • When Is Hurricane Season in the USA? • States Most Affected by Hurricanes • The Role of NOAA & NHC
Did you know?
- The simplest way to size your kit: plan for 3–7 days of disruption to power, water, and stores.
- Water is heavy. Store a mix of gallons and portable bottles, and consider a gravity filter as a backup.
- Most kit failures are about the last 10%: dead batteries, expired meds, missing pet items, or documents you can’t find.
Hurricane Kit: The Essentials (Quantities Included)
Use these quantities per person unless noted. Adjust for climate, health needs, and household size.
Water & Food
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day × 3–7 days (add 1–2 gallons per day for household pets). Keep some in portable bottles.
- Food: 2,000–2,400 calories per adult per day (non-perishables). Mix ready-to-eat and shelf-stable items.
- Manual can opener, utensils, paper plates/cups, small camping stove + fuel (if safe to operate).
Medical & First Aid
- Rx medications: 7–10 day supply (with copies of prescriptions).
- First-aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, sterile pads, elastic wrap, tweezers, pain relievers, antihistamines, rehydration salts.
- Spare glasses/contacts + solution; basic dental kit; thermometer.
Power & Lighting
- Battery bank(s): 10,000–20,000 mAh per person; charge monthly.
- AA/AAA batteries: at least 12 of each; store in original packaging.
- Flashlights: 1 per person; headlamps: 1 per adult.
- NOAA Weather Radio (hand-crank/solar if possible).
Communications
- Printed contact sheet (family, out-of-area contact, doctors, insurers).
- Whistle (3 blasts = distress), waterproof notepad + pencil.
- Pre-written text template to update multiple contacts quickly.
Documents & Finance
- IDs, insurance policies, deeds/leases, Rx lists, medical summaries—in a waterproof pouch.
- Cash in small bills ($100–$300) + coins for vending/laundry.
- Encrypted USB with scans of all critical documents.
Tools & Safety
- Multi-tool, duct tape, heavy-duty trash bags, work gloves, zip ties.
- Plastic sheeting + painter’s tape (window/roof temporary sealing).
- Fire extinguisher (ABC), wrench for gas/water shutoff.
Hygiene & Sanitation
- Toilet paper, moist wipes, hand sanitizer, soap.
- Portable toilet/liners or heavy-duty bags + absorbent (if sewer service fails).
- Bleach (unscented) + dropper for emergency water disinfection.
Infants, Elderly & Accessibility
- Formula, baby food, diapers/wipes, rash cream.
- Hearing aid batteries, spare mobility aids, wheelchair tools.
- Medical device backup power plan (batteries/inverter).
Pets
- Food & water for 3–7 days; no-spill bowls; medications.
- Carrier, leash, ID tags, vaccination records.
- Waste bags, litter/pan, calming aids/toys.
Your Vehicle “Go-Bag” (One per Car)
- 3 days of water (bottles) + calorie-dense bars per person.
- First-aid kit, blankets, rain gear, change of clothes, sturdy shoes.
- Jumper cables, tire repair kit/plug kit, 12V air compressor.
- Phone charger (cigarette-lighter type), paper maps.
- Spare cash, photocopies of key documents.
Tech & Data Readiness
- Back up devices to cloud + encrypted USB (store in kit). Test restoration.
- Maintain a shared family folder with IDs, insurance, medical summaries.
- Pre-download offline maps and key contacts on all phones.
How to Pack: Two-Layer Method
- Grab-&-go layer: Backpack or rolling duffel with essentials you need to leave in 5 minutes (water, meds, documents, cash, radio, light, charger, snack kit).
- Home-base layer: Storage bins with bulk water, extra food, tools, and sanitation supplies for sheltering in place.
Rotation Schedule (Set 4 Reminders)
- Monthly: Charge power banks; test the weather radio; update contact sheet.
- Quarterly: Check batteries/meds; rotate snacks; run a 10-minute family comms drill.
- Pre-season (May): Restock everything to full 3–7 days; service generator; trim trees.
- Post-season (Dec): Review what worked; replace anything used/expired.
Case Study: Why Preparedness Paid Off During Hurricane Ian (2022)
A family in Lee County, Florida, kept a layered kit: a grab-&-go backpack and home-base bins. When evacuation orders hit, they left early with the backpack (documents, meds, cash, chargers) and avoided gridlock. At a relative’s home inland, power still failed—yet they had headlamps, battery banks, and a hand-crank radio. After the storm, they returned to minimal food waste because they had a cooler, ice packs, and a simple plan for fridge contents. The lesson: a modest, maintained kit turns a chaotic event into a manageable disruption.
Special Tips for Small Businesses
- Create a 1-page continuity plan: critical staff, vendor contacts, priority systems, and a “who decides” chain.
- Keep a spare router, cables, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for internet/PoS bridging.
- Document inventory with timestamped photos (phone + cloud folder).
- Stage a few tool bins (tarps, plastic sheeting, zip ties) for quick damage control.
Printable Hurricane Kit Checklist (Quick Copy)
- Water: 1 gal/person/day × 3–7 days (+ pets)
- Food: 2,000–2,400 cal/adult/day; manual opener; utensils
- Medications (7–10 days), first-aid kit, glasses/contacts
- Battery banks, flashlights & headlamps, spare AA/AAA
- NOAA Weather Radio (hand-crank/solar)
- Documents (IDs, insurance) in waterproof pouch + cash
- Multi-tool, duct tape, plastic sheeting, gloves, extinguisher
- Sanitation: wipes, soap, toilet solution/bags, bleach
- Infant/elder care items; medical device power plan
- Pet food/water, carrier, vaccine records
- Vehicle go-bag: water, bars, blankets, tools, charger, maps
Where to next? How to Prepare for Hurricane Season • Hurricane Categories Explained • The Role of NOAA & NHC
Written by Bob Bateman | WeatherScientific.com | 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I store for a hurricane?
Plan for at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3–7 days, plus extra for pets and sanitation. Hot climates and medical needs may require more.
What foods are best for hurricane kits?
Ready-to-eat, shelf-stable items: canned meat/beans/fruit, nut butters, granola, shelf-stable milk, electrolytes. Include high-calorie options and a manual can opener.
How do I manage medications during an evacuation?
Keep a 7–10 day reserve with copies of prescriptions and a medication list. Pack a small cooler for temperature-sensitive meds and bring chargers for medical devices.
Do I really need a NOAA Weather Radio?
Yes. If power and cell networks fail, NOAA Weather Radio keeps official warnings coming. A hand-crank/solar model is ideal.
How often should I refresh my kit?
Charge batteries monthly, rotate food quarterly, and do a full restock pre-season (May) and review post-season (December).
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