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Hurricane Basics: What to Have Before the Storm
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items The practical things I want in the house before the wind starts: ways to cover damage, see in the dark, hear weather alerts, protect important papers and handle the very unglamorous sanitation problems nobody wants to think about. As an Amazon Associ...
Storm prep is not the time for the bargain roll that gives up the second it gets damp. Keep a serious roll with the tarps and plastic sheeting for temporary repairs.
Gorilla Duct Tape, Black Tape, 1.88" x 50 yd - Heavy Duty and Weather Resistant for Indoor or Outdoor
Heavy plastic sheeting can cover a broken opening, protect belongings from leaks or create a temporary barrier while you wait for a real repair. Buy it before you need to learn all the creative uses for it.
HDX 10 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 6 mil Plastic Sheeting RSHD610-25C
This is here for the scenario nobody puts in the cute hurricane checklist: backed-up sewer lines or unusable plumbing. It turns a basic bucket into a much more manageable emergency toilet.
Honey Bucket Style Toilet Seat for 5 Gallon Bucket | Portable Toilet for Camping, Hiking, Boating, or Emergencies
Phone alerts are great until cell service or power gets weird. A dedicated NOAA radio gives you another way to hear official warnings and this one can use AA batteries for backup power.
Midland WR120B NOAA Weather Alert Radio
Tarps, plastic sheeting, rope and boxes all become easier to deal with when there is a real utility knife in the kit. Store it with the supplies instead of assuming you will remember where the garage one went.
Stanley Quick-Change Utility Knife 3 x Blade(s) - 6" Cutting Length - Straight Cutting - 0.8" Height x 3" Width - Black, Silver
Tie-downs are the kind of thing you remember after the patio furniture starts looking like it has travel plans. Keep a set ready for securing outdoor items before the wind picks up.
Husky 12 ft. x 1 in. Ratchet Tie-Down Straps with S-Hook (4-Pack) FH0829
This takes almost no room in an emergency bin and gives you a lightweight backup for warmth and weather protection. Small, cheap and easy to forget until you need one.
Ozark Trail Reusable Emergency Survival Camping Blanket, Silver, 1.5 oz
Heavy contractor bags are useful for storm cleanup, wet debris and emergency sanitation. Regular kitchen bags are not what I want tackling hurricane cleanup.
Hefty Heavy Duty Contractor Extra Large Trash Bags, 55 Gallon, 16 Count
A loud whistle is a tiny backup signaling tool that does not need power, cell service or a charger. Clip it into the emergency kit so it does not disappear into a junk drawer.
Ozark Trail Floating Marine Safety Whistle with Lanyard, 100 dB Orange Emergency Signal
Storm prep should include a real first-aid kit in one easy-to-grab case. Check it before hurricane season and replace anything that has been used or expired.
First Aid Only 25 Person ANSI & OSHA First Aid Kit, Plastic, 107 Pcs
A good tarp can become a temporary roof patch, cover damaged outdoor equipment or keep supplies dry. This is one of those things I would rather store for years than desperately shop for the day after a storm.
Tarps Heavy Duty Waterproof 10’ x 10’, 10 Mil Large Canvas Tarp for all weather, Multipurpose Protective Cover with Reinforced Edges for Pool, Camping, Boats, RV, Pool, Green/Silver Tarpaulin
Insurance information, IDs, medical information and other important papers need a grab-and-go home. A protective document pouch also makes the frantic “where is that paperwork?” problem much smaller.
Fireproof Document Bags, 15x11in Waterproof and Fireproof Money Bag Fireproof Safe Storage Pouch with Zipper for A4 Document Holder,File,Cash and Tablet, Black
Broken branches, damaged fencing and storm debris can have sharp edges everywhere. A real pair of work gloves belongs with the cleanup supplies, not buried somewhere in the garage.
Hyper Tough HPPE ANSI A4 PU-Coated Work Gloves, Full Finger, Men's XL, 1 Pair
An electric can opener is not terribly impressive during a power outage. Put a basic manual one in the hurricane bin and leave it there.
Mainstays Stainless Steel Can Opener, Black
We use these in front of the garage doors and any doorways to keep water from seeping in during the heavy rain. They dry out and can be used multiple times.
Quick Dam Water Activated 10 ft. Flood Barrier (8-Pack) QD610-8
Have issues with smaller amounts of water leaking in? These are an absolute must on the inside of doors
Quick Dam Grab and Go Indoor Water Control Bucket kit, (10) 4 ft. Dams and (6) 10 ft. Dams WUGGCO
This is one of those tools you don't want to be without. It can be a invaluable in accessing or turning off water supplies.
DURATECH 4 Way Sillcock Key Set, 2-Pack
One of the biggest problems after a hurricane is clearing all the broken tree limbs. Just know how to use it!
SKIL PWR CORE 40V Brushless 14-Inch Chainsaw Kit with 4.0Ah Battery and 60W Charger, CS4555-13
Generator is useless if you can't plus stuff into it.
Champion Power Equipment 25 ft. 30 Amp 125/250-Volt Fan-Style Flat Generator Extension Cord 100437
One of these in every room beats candles by a mile. They fold flat for storage and last long enough to get you through a multi-day outage.
Lepro LED Collapsible Camping Lantern 4-Packs, Super Bright, Battery Powered Camping Light, IPX4 Water Resistant, Portable Emergency Lights for Power Outage, Hurricane, Storms
After a hurricane the heat and humidity are awful. These are solar rechargeable and portable
Fohil 20000mAh Solar Camping Fan with LED Light, Solar/USB Charging, 4-Speed Fan,3 Timer Settings, Phone Charging for Camping Fishing Outdoor, Green
This sticks even when everything's wet. Patch a cracked window seal or a torn tarp corner without waiting for anything to dry.
Gorilla 10 ft. Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape Black 4612502
Essential for after storm clean up
FIRM GRIP Large Utility Work Gloves (3-Pack) 63102-024
Can be used to store things in that you want to try to protect from water damage and essential in after storm clean up
Husky 42 Gal. Contractor Bags (50-Count) HK42WC050B
We have the other kind for the outside of the house and these we put on the inside of the garage door and patio doors.
PIG Water Absorbent Rolled Sock (12-Pack) NPSK12
Can be used to fix a roof leak or cover up something. So many uses for these. Get a few.
Everbilt 6 ft. x 8 ft. Brown and Silver Heavy Duty Tarp PYHD0608
One of these in every room beats candles by a mile. They fold flat for storage and last long enough to get you through a multi-day outage.
Lepro LED Collapsible Camping Lantern 4-Packs, Super Bright, Battery Powered Camping Light, IPX4 Water Resistant, Portable Emergency Lights for Power Outage, Hurricane, Storms
Sounds obvious until the power's out and you're staring at a can of soup with no way to open it. Keep one in the kit, not just the kitchen drawer.
GORILLA GRIP Heavy Duty Upgraded Stainless Steel Smooth Edge Manual Can Opener and Bottle Openers, Soft Comfortable Oversized Handheld Turn Knob, US Designed Multifunctional Kitchen Tool, Black
We line these up in front of our garage doors
Quick Dam Water Activated 10 ft. Flood Barrier (1-Pack) QD610-1
This is the one that still works when every battery in the house is dead. Crank it for weather updates and it doubles as a phone charger and flashlight.
Jazmm Hand Crank Emergency Radio, 7400mWh NOAA/AM/FM Portable Radio, Solar Emergency Radio, Weather Alert, Flashlight for Emergency, Power Bank Cellphone Charger