I live where we have severe Hurricanes. I’ve lived here through Katrina, Gustav and Ida and learned a lot about being prepared.
1. Secure your home, but make an alternate plan in case your home is destroyed.
2. Stock up on water as well as a way to filter and purify water. Even though we never lost water to our homes, the electric grid was down so the system the water plants used to filter and purify the water wasn’t working and once it was working again, it took a long time for the water to be drinkable again.
3. Stock up on easy foods that don’t need to be refrigerated or cooked (if possible)
4. First aid/extra medications
5.SOLAR, NATURAL GAS or WIND powered generators. Regular Gas generators are for camping or very short term power. I’ve had arguments with people who have never lived in a natural disaster who foolishly believe their gas powered generators are going to be useful. The truth is, fuel becomes very scarce when the grid goes down. Even if you stockpile fuel, it won’t last long at all. We lost power for a couple of weeks and because of the condition of the roads to our town, they closed them so no fuel trucks were coming. People always hit the gas station hard in anticipation of a hurricane and so, by the time the hurricane come through… every drop of gas was gone. Law enforcement is on extra duty because of the looters… there is also a curfew that means you aren’t going to pop out to get a few gallons even if there was some to get….and the police, fire, rescue all get first dibs of fuels. When the trucks do start rolling the lines are hours long, but only if you can get there. The roofing materials along with the nails cover the roads and take out everyones tires. Police, fire, rescue and first responders also get first dibs on tires.
6. Tire repair kits/ extra tires
7. Security
8. Bug out bags – One bag for each person that they can carry themselves. Clothes, food and medications for a week along with personal important documents.
9. Batteries
10. Basic tool kit