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.
- And communication breakdowns when cell service drops.
That last pair is what separates hurricane preparedness from general emergency prep. Most kits skip sanitation entirely.
What should a hurricane kit include?
- Multiple light sources, because outages run days, not 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. The only kit here built specifically for hurricane preparedness. Packed in a waterproof 5-gallon bucket, practical for sheltering in place or evacuating. Includes 4L water pouches, Aquatab purification tablets, a complete hygiene and sanitation kit, multiple lighting options, and a 53-piece first aid kit. Available in 2-person and 4-person.
- Guardian Go Bag 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 the bucket, evacuation points to a backpack.
What to add yourself
No pre-packed kit is hurricane-complete. Ours included. Here's what to gather alongside it.
- Two weeks of prescriptions. Pharmacies close and stay closed after landfall.
- 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
Many emergency shelters can't accept animals. Our Bark Out and Purr-Prepared kits keep your dog or cat fed, watered, and documented so they can leave with you.
Bring current vaccination records. Most shelters that do take pets require proof.
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.
