WHAT'S IN YOUR KIT? 11 Essentials to Include in Your Disaster Supply Kit - Hurricane Preparedness

Florida Hurricane Season

The time to plan for Florida Hurricane Season is now. Whether you evacuate or shelter in place, make sure your home is ready to withstand the wind, rain, and flooding a hurricane can bring. After a hurricane, you might be left without power or water for days or weeks. If you don't evacuate, you're going to need enough non-perishable food items, water, and medicine, for family and pets. Learn about the basics when making a plan, things to consider, and the 11 essentials- to include in your disaster supply kit when preparing for a hurricane.

Make a Plan- Things to Consider:

Preparing for Florida Hurricane season might seem overwhelming, the good news is, it doesn't have to be. Disaster plans should be customized for individual needs and responsibilities. The first step is making a plan! Here are some useful tips to consider, when making your storm-ready disaster plan.

When making your plans, you should consider:

• Different ages of family members
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Dietary needs
• Disabilities or access and functional needs
• Potential language barriers
• Pets/and or service animals
• Medical considerations for assisting others

Disaster Supply Kit- 11 Essentials to Include in Your Supply Kit:

Assembling your supplies ahead-of-time and preparing a hurricane ready "disaster supply kit" will help you identify what you need in order to protect those you love from an emergency-related weather event or disaster.

11 Essentials to include in your Supply Kit:

• 3-5 Day worth of food and water (at least one gallon per day, per person)
• Battery powered radio, with tone alert (weather band radio to monitor weather alerts)
• Battery powered flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries (in case you lose power)
• First-aid kit with any necessary medicine/medications
• Pet Supplies and medication
• Whistle to signal for help
• Cell Phone with charger, back up charger, inverter, or solar charger
• Cash (ATMs might not work)
• Tarps or flexible waterproof sheeting, in case your home is damaged
• Cleaning Supplies
• Important House Documents stored in a weatherproof container

It's never too early to prepare yourself and your home for a hurricane. The best time to get ready is before a storm. The time to act is now. With these useful tips to consider when making your plan, and the 11 essential items list to include in your storm disaster kit, you will be ready for storm season in no time.