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The Best Emergency Weather Preparedness Supplies and Survival Guide

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These days, no matter where you reside, there is always some possibility of an emergency weather condition that demands preparation. I live in Florida, a hurricane-prone state…been there and done that. I have prepared survival kits for my family and ...
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Build a Survival Kit :The Basics

The first step to surviving an emergency weather condition is to understand the potential hazards that may be ahead. Educate yourself on specific conditions and familiarize yourself with recognizing the signs of severe weather. Make a plan and build ... 

 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
My containers provide sturdy protection for essential supplies and keep everything organized and accessible. This way, I won’t be scrambling during an emergency. I use heavy-duty, weather-resistant containers designed to withstand wet hurricane condi...
Waterproof - Storage Containers - The Home Depot
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Waterproof dry bags are such a fantastic way to keep your items safe and dry! I love using both these bags and weather-resistant boxes for that extra layer of protection. I always make sure to have a few extra bags available, just in case we ever nee...
Desoto Waterproof Dry Bags 2L/5L/10L/20L
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Emergency crew experts recommend having enough water for three days, with a minimum of one gallon per person per day. After experiencing a two-week period without water service due to a hurricane, I decided to double the amount of water for my family...
WaterBrick | Stackable Water Storage Containers - WaterBrick
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
I also keep regular gallon water jugs as backup. The standard containers have handles and are user-friendly. I often take advantage of sales at Walmart to stock up throughout the year before storm season.
Gallon in Water - Walmart.com
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
It’s always wise to have a portable water purifier on hand, particularly if your water service issues a boil water advisory due to contamination concerns. While the water company works to resolve the issue, I recommend the Elainilye water purifier. I...
Elainilye Outdoor Water Purifier Camping Hiking Emergency ...
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
I stock many items for emergencies that are not on my regular menu, but they are non-perishable and will help you get through a storm that knocks out your electricity. My plan includes high-protein canned goods like tuna, chicken, and salmon, as well...
Canned goods in Pantry - Walmart.com
 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
I chose the Black Diamond 325 headlamp as my hands-free light source. It operates for 12 hours using standard AAA batteries and features a dimmer option, allowing me to avoid blinding anyone while I navigate in the dark. When the shutters are closed,...
Spot 400 Headlamp - Black Diamond
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
This bright solar-powered lantern meets all my needs for a storm-worthy essential. It is lightweight, shatterproof, and, most importantly, safe to use around children and pets. My Silkie Terrier finds it handy to have near her food dish.
LuminAID Solar Lanterns
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Let there be light, and plenty of it. I have flashlights of various types sitting on every counter and nightstand during a storm. Trust me, you don't want to be caught in the dark.
Flashlights - Target
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
I absolutely love my Shine Future portable charger! It keeps my phone charged for at least a whole day, which is super helpful. In an emergency, having that extra battery life can really make a difference—whether it's getting help or just letting fri...
Shine Future 20000 mAh Fast Charging Portable Power Pack, 15 W ...
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
An emergency blanket, often made from reflective materials, is designed to help regulate body temperature by retaining heat. This lightweight and compact tool is essential in survival situations, as it can keep you warm by reflecting your body heat b... in an unexpected outdoor emergency or need extra warmth during a cold night, an emergency blanket is a vital resource for maintaining comfort and preventing hypothermia.
Emergency Blanket - Amazon.com
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Once the storm has passed and it’s time to fire up the grill, I always make sure to have a firestarter or two in my survival kit, especially since I often go without electricity for days. One of my favorites is the Uberleben Kraftig ferro rod. It’s f...
Überleben: FIRE STARTERS - Amazon.com
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
You never know when you might need to call for help, or in this case, whistle for it. I prefer this style of whistle for my emergency kit because it produces a very loud sound, is easy to blow, comes with an adjustable lanyard, and is water-resistant...
LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard Safety
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
A survival kit is never complete without a well-stocked First Aid bag. This bag includes a variety of medical supplies, ranging from bandages to a CPR face shield, to help provide medical care until professional help arrives. I keep this First Aid ba...
330 Piece Premium Waterproof First Aid Kit
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
It's essential to have a variety of batteries on hand, and I recommend buying double the quantity you think you'll need. I once had to travel 50 miles from home just to find two C batteries. Many local stores face battery shortages before and immedia...
Batteries - Amazon.com

Extreme Weather Survival Guide

This captivating guide from National Geographic is an essential read for anyone residing in regions prone to natural disasters, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. It not only provides in-depth information about the causes and eff...

 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Extreme weather is occurring everywhere, and this book demonstrates how to be proactive and plan ahead. It is easy to understand, and the magnificent photos are of the high quality I have always associated with the National Geographic name.
National Geographic Extreme Weather Survival Guide

Tools ,Tarps and Tape

The three T's for emergency preparedness are tools, tarps, and tape. In my book, they work cohesively together to create temporary shelter from the elements, utilizing shelter structures and household items and assisting in containing debris.

 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Black and Decker offers a basic tool kit suitable for most emergency repair and preparedness situations. I have the 66-piece set, which is ideal for general maintenance emergencies.
Tool Sets | BLACK+DECKER
 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Think pink if you want to stay positive during emergency storm preparations. I love the vibrancy of uplifting colors! I used my tools countless times while preparing for Hurricane Ian. Each tool was sturdy yet not too bulky, allowing me to complete m...
Pink Tool Set - Walmart
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Heavy-duty plastic sheeting is a specific type of tarp material that is a great solution for protecting your home from flooding and wind damage! It's flexible and durable, making it perfect as a temporary barrier for window openings if a window happe...
Plastic Sheeting & Film
 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
When it comes to facing emergency weather conditions, high-quality disaster relief tarps are your best friends! They’re sturdier than plastic sheeting, which means they do a fantastic job of keeping your furniture and cherished belongings safe from w...
Heavy-duty emergency tarps
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
Duck Brand duct tape is my top choice for storm use due to its heavy-duty strength and waterproof backing, especially when I need to secure plastic sheeting or tarps.
Duck 45yd Max Strength Duct Tape Silver: Heavy Duty Adhesive ...
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Bonus Items to Make Surviving Extreme Weather More Bearable

Two items that help make unbearable weather conditions more manageable are a portable generator and a hand-crank weather radio.

 
Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
If you ever experience a power outage, having an emergency crank weather radio can be a lifesaver! It keeps you informed about current conditions so you won't be caught off guard. One of my top recommendations is the Midland ER40. I appreciate that i...
Midland ER40 Emergency Crank Weather Radio - Bass Pro Shops
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Gayle Kurtzer-Meyers profile picture
The Westinghouse 14500 portable generator is my preferred backup power source. It comes with several useful features, including remote startup and compatibility with transfer switches. Depending on the load, I can run it for up to nineteen hours on j...
14500-Watt/11500-Watt Remote Start Tri-Fuel Portable Generator
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