Build your storm kit around water, food, reliable information, lighting, medical supplies, sanitation, tools, documents and the specific needs of everyone in your household. Ready.gov and FEMA use a baseline of one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, plus at least three days of nonperishable food. Treat that as a starting point, then adjust for your local hazards, climate, health requirements, pets and evacuation plans.
A kit supports you when power, water, stores or communications are interrupted; it is not a reason to delay an evacuation. Keep a substantial home kit and smaller portable supplies for a vehicle or workplace, and follow local emergency instructions when authorities tell you to leave.
Start with a household risk and needs check
Storm preparation differs by location. A coastal hurricane, inland flood, blizzard, tornado outbreak and severe thunderstorm can disrupt different services. Before buying supplies, identify the hazards your local emergency-management office emphasizes, the people and animals in your care, and the routes you would use to reach a safer location.
Write down who the kit must support
- Count every household member, including infants and children.
- List prescription medicines, essential medical devices, spare glasses, mobility equipment and communication needs.
- Record pets and service animals, including their food, water, medicines, carriers and identification.
- Note allergies, dietary restrictions and foods that require no cooking.
- Account for older adults, people with disabilities and anyone who may need help opening containers, hearing alerts or moving.
Decide where supplies will live
Keep the main kit in a cool, accessible place that is not likely to flood. Store heavy water containers where adults can safely lift them, and avoid placing critical supplies in a garage or basement if those areas could become inaccessible. Put a smaller, portable set in a vehicle or workplace so a warning does not find you away from home.
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Water: calculate the first supply you need
The Ready.gov/FEMA basic emergency supply list specifies “one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.” Its publication year is not established in the available material. Multiply that baseline by the number of people and days, then add capacity for pets and any local guidance that calls for more. Hot weather, pregnancy, nursing, illness and strenuous cleanup can increase demand.
| Household size | Three-day baseline | How to use the figure |
|---|---|---|
| One person | 3 gallons | Reserve part for drinking and part for sanitation. |
| Two people | 6 gallons | Add separate water for pets and special medical needs. |
| Four people | 12 gallons | Keep containers manageable enough to move during an evacuation. |
| Six people | 18 gallons | Divide the total among several sealed containers rather than one heavy vessel. |
Choose and store containers
- Use containers designed for potable water, with secure seals and labels showing the fill or replacement date.
- Store water away from chemicals, fuel and direct sunlight.
- Keep some water in smaller bottles or jugs that children, older adults or people with limited strength can handle.
- Follow the container or public-health instructions for replacement; Ready.gov hurricane guidance specifically says to replace water that goes bad over time.
Do not assume a swimming pool, hot tub or rain barrel is safe drinking water. If local authorities issue a boil-water or contamination notice, follow their treatment instructions rather than improvising.
Food that works without normal services
Ready.gov and FEMA call for at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Choose items your household already eats and can open or prepare with little or no electricity. Include a manual can opener whenever cans require one.
Build a practical food mix
- Ready-to-eat canned meals, vegetables, fruit, beans, fish or meat.
- Dry foods such as crackers, cereal, rice or pasta only when you also have a safe way to prepare them.
- Nut butters, shelf-stable milk, energy bars and other calorie-dense foods.
- Infant formula, baby food and feeding supplies where needed.
- Medical-diet foods and allergy-safe alternatives.
- Comfort foods and familiar snacks for children, which can make sheltering less stressful.
Use a first-in, first-out system: place newer items behind older ones and check dates during each kit inspection. Never depend on a refrigerator, freezer or microwave as your only food plan during a long outage.
Keep receiving warnings when the power or network fails
Storm information is a life-safety function, not an optional accessory. Ready.gov lists a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. Keep a way to charge phones, but do not make a phone your only alert source.
Communications checklist
- Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio.
- NOAA Weather Radio capability where available for your area.
- Spare batteries in the sizes your radio, flashlight and other devices use.
- Phone charging cables and a charged power bank or other independent charging method.
- A written list of phone numbers, addresses, medical information and out-of-area contacts.
- A whistle to signal rescuers if you are trapped or cannot safely shout.
The FEMA App can provide National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations nationwide. Install and configure it before a storm, but retain radio-based alerts in case cellular service or internet access is unavailable.
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Lighting, tools and protective equipment
Plan for darkness, blocked doors, broken glass and minor repairs. Keep lighting and tools where they can be reached without crossing a dark room.
Core equipment
- Flashlight for each household member who can use one, plus spare batteries.
- Wrench or pliers for shutting off utilities if local officials or utility instructions tell you to do so.
- Basic hand tools suited to your home, such as screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench and utility gloves.
- Fire extinguisher appropriate for household fires.
- Sturdy work gloves, protective eyewear, masks or other gear suited to expected dust, debris, cold or heat.
- Whistle, duct tape, scissors and a small amount of cord for temporary tasks.
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or fuel-burning lantern indoors, in a garage or near windows. Carbon monoxide can accumulate without warning; follow the appliance maker’s outdoor-clearance instructions and local emergency guidance.
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Include a first-aid kit, prescription medications and glasses, as Ready.gov checklists recommend. The kit should help with minor injuries while you arrange professional care; it does not replace emergency medical services.
Make medicines usable during an outage
- Ask prescribers and pharmacists how to maintain an emergency reserve, especially for insulin, oxygen, seizure medicines or other time-sensitive treatments.
- Keep medicines in original labeled containers when practical, with dosing instructions and prescriber contact details.
- Store a written medication list, allergies, diagnoses, insurance information and emergency contacts in the document pouch.
- Pack spare batteries, chargers or manual alternatives for essential medical devices, following the device manufacturer’s instructions.
- Include backup glasses, hearing-aid batteries and mobility-aid accessories when applicable.
Temperature-sensitive medicines may need an insulated container and a specific cold-storage plan. Obtain instructions from a pharmacist rather than guessing how long a medicine remains safe.
Sanitation and personal hygiene
Storm damage can interrupt water and sewer service even when your home is structurally intact. Ready.gov lists moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties, hand sanitizer and personal hygiene supplies.
Pack for basic cleanliness
- Moist towelettes, soap and hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper, menstrual products, diapers and incontinence supplies as needed.
- Heavy-duty garbage bags and plastic ties for waste and contaminated materials.
- Disinfecting supplies, paper towels and a bucket or other utility container.
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, washcloths and any personal-care items household members cannot easily replace.
Separate clean water, food and medicines from waste-handling supplies. Follow local public-health instructions for sewage, floodwater and mold; floodwater can contain dangerous contamination even when it looks clear.
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Clothing, warmth and shelter inside the home
Pack warm clothes, sturdy footwear and blankets, adapting them to your climate and likely storm conditions. Include rain protection in wet climates and sun or heat protection where outages can occur during hot weather.
- One complete change of clothes per person, including socks and underwear.
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots that protect against broken glass and debris.
- Blankets or sleeping bags, hats, gloves and weather-appropriate outer layers.
- Rain gear, towels and waterproof bags for wet clothing.
- Infant sleep and feeding supplies, plus comfort items for children.
Do not shelter in a vehicle or building that local authorities have declared unsafe. A kit cannot compensate for structural damage, rising floodwater or an official evacuation order.
Documents, cash and household records
Keep copies of identification, insurance policies and financial records in a portable waterproof container, as federal preparedness material recommends. Include property information, prescriptions, emergency contacts and copies of pet vaccination records where relevant.
Protect and access the records
- Use a pouch or container with a dependable closure and enough room for flat paper copies.
- Store a second digital copy in an encrypted account or drive that household members can access without the main computer.
- Carry small amounts of cash because payment networks and cash machines may be unavailable.
- Add local maps; printed directions remain useful when phones cannot connect or batteries run down.
- Review the contents after moves, policy changes, new medications or changes in household membership.
Supplies for infants, pets, older adults and access needs
A generic box is incomplete if it cannot support the people and animals using it. Ready.gov materials specifically call out infants, pets, older adults, people with disabilities and other access needs.
Infants and children
- Formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and a way to clean feeding equipment.
- Age-appropriate food, medicines and spare clothing.
- Comfort items, books, games or quiet activities that work without electricity.
- Written information about caregivers, allergies and authorized contacts.
Pets and service animals
- Several days of familiar food and water, bowls and a manual can opener if cans require one.
- Leashes, harnesses, carriers, waste bags, litter and medications.
- Identification, vaccination records and a recent photo.
- A blanket or familiar item that can reduce stress in a shelter or unfamiliar room.
Ask in advance which shelters accept animals. Never leave a pet behind because an evacuation destination has not been planned.
Older adults and people with disabilities
- Backup mobility, communication and power supplies.
- Hearing-aid batteries, spare glasses and incontinence products.
- Easy-open packages and containers that do not require strong grip.
- A buddy system identifying who checks on each person and who provides transport.
Build both a home kit and portable go-kits
A home kit is sized for several days of sheltering and can hold bulk water, food and sanitation supplies. A go-kit is lighter and organized for rapid movement if flooding, fire or structural damage makes staying unsafe.
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| Feature | Home kit | Portable go-kit |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Support sheltering during service interruptions. | Support evacuation to a vehicle, shelter or another safe location. |
| Container | Stackable bins or shelves in an accessible room. | Backpack, duffel or wheeled bag that one person can move. |
| Contents | Bulk water, food, tools, blankets and sanitation supplies. | Documents, medicines, chargers, essential clothing, water and ready-to-eat food. |
| Placement | Protected from likely flood and storm damage. | Near an exit, in a vehicle or at a workplace, as appropriate. |
Use waterproof inner bags for medicines and documents even when the outer container is advertised as weather resistant. Label each bag and make sure more than one adult knows what it contains.
Plan evacuation before the warning arrives
- Identify primary and alternate routes to higher ground, shelters, relatives or other approved destinations.
- Mark locations for pets, medical care, fuel and accessible transportation.
- Choose an out-of-area contact and agree how household members will report that they are safe.
- Practice leaving with the portable kit, children, pets and mobility equipment.
- Monitor local officials and evacuate immediately when directed.
For flood risk, Ready.gov advises practicing evacuation routes and shelter plans, protecting important documents and leaving when authorities order an evacuation. Do not wait for a kit to be perfect, for traffic to clear or for water to rise before departing.
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How to choose equipment without relying on a brand
Official guidance supports product categories rather than a particular model. Compare the features that affect safety and usability in your household.
| Category | Compare these specifications | Questions to ask before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency radio | Battery, hand-crank or other power sources; NOAA alert capability; battery type; phone-charging option. | Can someone in the household operate it in darkness? Are replacement batteries easy to find? |
| Flashlight | Power source, run time, switch design, water resistance and battery availability. | Can each user hold it safely? Is there a spare light if one fails? |
| Water container | Capacity, potable-water material, seal, durability and handling weight. | Can it fit your storage space and be carried without injury? |
| Document pouch | Closure, waterproofing, size and portability. | Can you remove papers quickly while keeping them protected? |
| First-aid kit | Bandages, dressings, gloves, antiseptic supplies and room for personal medicines. | Does it match your training and household risks, rather than merely having a long item count? |
No particular commercial kit is complete for every household. Assemble around your needs, then add category-specific equipment where a gap remains.
Assemble the kit in a single afternoon
- Inventory what you own. Gather water containers, food, lights, radios, first aid, tools and documents already available.
- Calculate quantities. Use the federal water baseline, count household members and pets, and account for medical or dietary needs.
- Buy missing essentials first. Prioritize water, food, medicines, communication, lighting and sanitation before convenience items.
- Package by task. Keep medical, hygiene, cooking, documents and evacuation items in labeled bags so one person can find them quickly.
- Test everything. Turn on the radio and flashlights, check chargers, open food packaging and confirm that tools fit the intended valves or fasteners.
- Write the plan. Add contacts, routes, meeting places, shelter information and responsibilities to a printed sheet.
- Store and tell. Place the kit where adults can reach it and show every capable household member how to use it.
Maintain the kit on a schedule
Ready.gov hurricane guidance says to replace water, food, medications and batteries that go bad over time. A maintenance routine prevents a kit from becoming a box of expired supplies.
Monthly quick check
- Confirm that flashlights, radios, chargers and medical devices work.
- Look for leaks, damaged seals, corrosion or pest damage.
- Return borrowed tools and replace items used for ordinary household purposes.
- Check that the portable go-kit is still light enough to carry.
Seasonal or twice-yearly review
- Rotate food and water according to labels and public-health guidance.
- Check medicine, battery, infant-supply and pet-supply dates.
- Replace clothing and blankets for the coming season and growing children.
- Update documents, insurance information, contacts, routes and shelter details.
- Practice the communication and evacuation plan, including pet transport.
Add supplies gradually if a complete purchase is not affordable at once. The objective is a maintained, usable kit, not a single shopping trip.
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Common failure points and fixes
The kit has food but no way to open or prepare it
Add a manual can opener and select foods that are safe to eat without cooking. Store cooking equipment only when you also have a safe, ventilated location and fuel plan.
Everyone relies on one phone
Add a radio, spare batteries, a charging method and a written contact list. Configure official alerts before severe weather arrives.
Water is stored in one heavy container
Divide the household total among sealed, potable-water containers that can be lifted and moved safely.
Documents are protected at home but impossible to carry
Keep copies in a portable waterproof pouch and maintain a secure digital backup.
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A household member cannot use the supplies
Switch to easy-open packaging, accessible containers, backup equipment and a named helper. Practice the plan with the person who will actually use it.
The family waits for the kit before evacuating
Leave when officials direct you to leave. Take the portable go-kit only if doing so does not slow a safe departure.
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