Making Your Hurricane Diaster Kit

Building Your Hurricane Diaster Kit	Tropical Weather Preparedness Guide	NOAA Extreme Weather Information Sheets for Mississippi

Water
— At least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
— If buying individual 12oz bottles, remember it will take 6 bottles, per person per day.
    (i.e. A case of water (24 Bottles), that would give 4 people enough water for 1 day, or 1 person enough water for 4 days.)

Food
— At least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods and sugar coated cereal - (Don't forget the Palmlot Milk)
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / cooking fuel (sterno, camp stove propane)
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.
— Sleeping Bag is a good alternative for bedding.
— Air bed or mattress really comes in handy!
    (Make sure to get a hand pump, as there may not be any power for an electric pump for some time.)

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
(Enough to last you 7 days)
— Long sleeve shirt & Long Pants
    (* Will help to have these, as we all found out after Katrina. We were invaded by mosquitoes, and those flying gnats with teeth!!!)
— Knee high socks or Tube Socks
— Underwear Men, Women and Children
    (* After Katrina, Ladies, this was a "BIG NO FIND!" item at many of the relief centers and distribution points.)
— Rain gear
— Sturdy Rubber Boots
— Hat or some sort of head protection from sun as well as other falling foreign objects

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
— Tynol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin
— Anti-Itch Crème - (Great for insect bites!)
— Triple Antibiotic Crème
— Medicine Dropper
— Hydrogen Peroxide

Special Items - for babies and the elderly
— Denture Crème & Cleaning Tablets
— Eye Glasses
— Dentures

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
— Toilet Paper - Some cities will bring in port-potties. Toilet paper must be a HOT item! So stock up!
— Hand Sanitizer & Paper Towels
— Towels and Wash Cloths (For those rainy days, at least one set per person.)
— Toothbrush & Toothpaste
— Mouth Wash
— Extra Water for rinsing (1 - 12oz. bottle per person per day)
— Deodorant
— Feminine hygiene products

Flashlight / Batteries
— DO NOT get NI-Cad Rechargeable Batteries, as there may not be any power to recharge them for some time.
— Make sure you have enough batteries for both your flashlights as well as radios
    (Try to get lithium or alkaline batteries as they last longer.)

Radios
— AM/FM Radio (Battery Operated or Hand Cranked)
— NOAA Weather Radio (Battery Operated or Hand Cranked)

Telephones
— Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
— Portable computer or laptop
— Magic Jack or Skype -Internet Phone Service providers.
    (Check for Wi-Fi for usage, usually found at Relief Centers in the area.)
— Cell phone that allows for Internet connection or text messaging

Miscellaneous Items
— Matches/Lighters
— Emergency Candles
— Roll of Duct Tape
— Bug Repellant (both aerosol and rub on kinds)
— Sun Blocker & Lip Balm
— Ice Chest
— Fire Extinguisher
— Eye Glasses
— Watch or Battery operated Clock
— Pens, Pencils and Paper or Notepads
— Breath Freshener ( liquid or gum)
— Portable grill/Charcoal/Starter fluid
— Portable Generator or Car Generator (can be found at most Walmarts, or Lowes)
— One Gallon of Bleach (In an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.
     Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.)
— Utility or Carpet knife.
— Rubber gloves & Dust Masks
— Smokes, Dips, or Chewing Tobacco

Cash
— Mostly Small bills $1, $5, $10, & $20 NO LARGE BILLS!

Credit Cards
— Banks and ATM's may not be available for extended periods, but you may be able to travel inland, and find an open ATM.

Keys
— Kinda of trivial as most doors fall into one of three categories:
     * Blown away, along with the house!
     * Kicked in, by rescue workers looking for persons.
     * Swollen shut by the storm surge, in which case the rescue workers broke the windows out!

Toys, Books and Games
— Deck of playing cards
— Laptop Computer (Microsoft gives you a few games, but you can always buy or download more before the storm).
— Also with the advent of today's laptops, you can also watch DVD's on your laptop,
     (But I don't advise this as most laptop batteries last at most 45 minutes to 2 hours. DVD's eat a lot of battery time!)
— BUT!!!! If you have a car adapter for your laptop, well then your in luck!

Important Documents
— In a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag.
— Home & flood insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Voter registration card, Social Security card, etc.

Tools
— Keep a set with you during the storm.
— Adding an Axe or Hatchet will come in handy and may end up saving your life!.
— A Pry bar also is a handy item, for your tool kit.

Vehicle
— Be Sure the tank is FULL!!! (Both before you leave and before you return home.)
— An in car generator is a good idea, I got one before Katrina hit, and it was a life saver. You can get them in different wattages, depending on your needs.
     (Available at Walmarts & Lowe's.)
— Make sure you have car insurance & it's up-to-date. Also take you tag & title receipts, as they show ownership of vehicle.
    (Not to mention that it's also proof that you lived in the disaster area. )
— Couple of cans of Fix O'Flat or a Tire Plug Kit can come in very helpful
— Portable Air Pump for automobiles, some have 12volt DC plugs. (Available at Walmarts & Auto Parts Stores.)
— Set of jumper cables
— Signal flares
— Extra Gasoline and Oil

Pet Care Items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water (Buy a 10 lb bag and toss it in the trunk.)
— Water and Food Bowls
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash,
— A Collar with ID tag and Rabies tag affixed
— Favorite play toys
— A Tie-out and 15' lead are also helpful to have.