Why do hurricanes need a different kit?
Hurricanes are among the most foreseeable natural disasters. Forecasters track them days in advance. Yet every season, households are caught scrambling as shelves empty and evacuation orders arrive.
A hurricane kit has to handle four things at once.
- Extended power outages.
- Limited clean water.
- Failed plumbing and sanitation.
- Communication breakdowns when cell service drops.
Hurricanes can create several problems at once, which is why water treatment, sanitation, backup lighting, and reliable communication all deserve a place in the plan.
What should a hurricane kit include?
- Multiple light sources for outages that may last well beyond a few hours.
- Water purification, not just bottled water.
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies for when plumbing fails.
- A weatherband radio to stay informed when cell service is down.
- Three days minimum of food and water per person.
Which hurricane kit fits your plan?
StormShield. Built specifically for hurricane season and packed in a waterproof 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat lid, so it works whether you shelter at home or leave. Water pouches and Aquatab purification tablets, a full sanitation kit with liners, gel and gloves, multiple lighting options, a weatherband radio, and a first aid kit for the minor injuries that come with storm cleanup. Available in 2-person and 4-person.
SafeHarbor. The same kit two ways at the same price, in a backpack or a five-gallon bucket whose lid is a toilet seat. Sized for two, with a hand-crank NOAA weather band radio that also charges a phone. Take the backpack if you may need to leave, the bucket if you plan to stay.
The Guardian and RapidShield. Portable 72-hour coverage in a grab-and-go backpack. Better if your hurricane plan involves evacuation rather than staying home.
Start with your plan. Shelter in place points to a bucket, evacuation points to a backpack, and the SafeHarbor lets you decide later.
What to add yourself
No pre-packed kit is hurricane-complete. Ours included. Here's what to gather alongside it.
- Prescription medications and a refill plan. If a storm is approaching, check your supply early and follow guidance from your pharmacy, insurer, or local emergency officials.
- Cash in small bills. Card readers and ATMs need power.
- Insurance policy numbers in a waterproof bag, photographed on your phone as backup.
- A manual can opener. Easy to forget, impossible to improvise.
- Water for flushing. Fill the bathtub before the storm arrives.
- A full gas tank and charged devices, done before the forecast turns.
Don't forget your pets
Our Bark Out and Purr-Prepared kits keep your dog or cat fed, watered, and documented so they can leave with you. Shelter and temporary lodging policies for pets vary, so identify pet-friendly options before you need them. Bring current vaccination records, since some shelters, boarding facilities, and accommodations may ask for them.
When should your hurricane kit be ready?
NOAA's Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Have your kit ready by June 1 and review it once a year.
Don't wait for a named storm. By then the shelves are already thin.
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