Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness

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General Disaster Preparation

Prepare for home and natural disaster by having certain basic Emergency and First Aid Supplies available in one place in your home for quick and easy-access. Be prepared to survive without local or federal assistance for 72 hours.

In Case of Evacuation

Before leaving, turn off electricity, gas and water, unplug appliances, board up windows, and leave a note telling where you have gone and how you can be reached if that information is known.

Take with you 72 hour kits (food, water, medicines, flashlights, bedding, clothing, money, coins, first aid kit, etc.), tools, family records, and a full tank of gas.

ABCs of a Disaster Preparedness Kit

Having the following items on hand will help you get through 72 hours without help for local or state agencies. Kits can be packed in buckets, bins, plastic two liter bottles (see basic bottle kit, or in a rolling suitcase. For additional information, see Kit Considerations.

Antiseptic
Anti-bacterial Soap
Backpack
Bedding
Cans Food or Containers of Food - See the Basic Bottle Inventory or Mini Bucket Inventory
Change of clothes for each family member - Shirts, Pants, Shoes, Socks, Underclothes
Containers for storage - make sure to keep medicines, chemicals, fuel, etc. safely stored in childproof and pet proof containers
Dog/Cat/Bird Suppliers - Food, water, medicines, toys. Current ID, photo, proof of vaccinations, and a leash or carrier may be required in shelters or hotels if you must evacuate
Emergency Weather Radio
Extra Batteries
Eye Glasses
Flashlights
First Aid Kit - Anti-septic, anti-itch, anti-biotic ointment, pain relievers, bandages, rolled gauze, 4x4 sterile dressings, elastic wrap, scissors, gloves and any other supplies you regularly use
Fuel
Garbage Bags
Gas tank in your car should be above the half full mark
Insect Spray
Hand Sanitizer
Hygiene Products
Jacket or Sweater for each family member
Kids’ Toys, Diapers, etc.
Liquid Bleach, unscented
Maps
Money
Medicines
Numbers to Call
Options - Does everyone know where to meet? Do you have alternate routes? Where else can you do? How will you get there?
Photos of Family and Valuables
Proof of Immunizations
Proof of Insurance
Quarters
Rain Gear
Sunscreen
Toilet Paper and a Bucket - There are even toilet seats that fit onto 5 gallon buckets. See http://www.survivormall.com/ for an example of one you can purchase
Utensils
Vitamins
Water - You cannot have “too much” water! Ideally, you need to have 2 gallons per person per day, with enough to last your family at LEAST three (3) days, but preferably two (2) weeks!
Wipes
Your Needs -Plan to pack whatever else you need that is not on this list.

Considerations for Disaster Supply Kits

Put everything in plastic. Florida is wet!
Keep 3 days of food and at least 7 days of prescriptions in your kit at all times. When you refill your medicines, use the “old” and replace it with the “new” as often as you get refills, so your medicine will stay fresh!
When you re-set your clocks every 6 months, change smoke alarm batteries, try clothes for fit, add fresh batteries to your kit, and replace the food items. (Have a picnic or two with the old stuff!)
Include items you like . When you need to use these supplies, circumstances will be stressful. Be good to yourself ahead of time!
Keep everything in ONE place, known to all family members. If age and health permit, let everyone carry their own gear.
Include children in preparations. This will give them a sense of control and teach them to prepare for, not fear, the “adventures” ahead! (They need their own flashlights, too!)

How to Create a Mini Bucket Kit

Below is an example of supplies that can go into a bucket or bin. Substitute items to fit your health and taste needs. Remember to replace food items and batteries every 6 months! When you change your clocks and smoke alarm batteries, change your kit!

3 cans ready-to-eat soup (with pull tops)
3 cans Vienna sausages (with pull tops)
6 granola bars
6 mini-packs of raisins
3 cans mixed fruit (with pull tops)
3 packages fruit chew candy
3 packets bread sticks with cheese dip
1-20 ounce water bottle (Note: this is not enough for 3 days!)
Water purification tablets (to treat up to 25 quarts)
8 individual antibacterial wipes
2 spoons
2 razors
1 mini-can shaving cream
1 toothbrush
1 travel size toothpaste
1 travel size shampoo
1 heavy duty trash liner (for bucket used as toilet) Lined bucket can be used for waste disposal, too!
1 roll toilet paper (smashed flat in plastic zipper bag)
9 “regular” adhesive bandages
4 “jumbo” adhesive bandages
8 2X2 gauze sponges
1 mini-radio with batteries ( Note: DO NOT store batteries in radio)
1 mini flashlight with batteries ( Note: DO NOT store batteries in flashlight)
1 waterproof emergency “space” blanket (56X84)
2 trash bags with ties

Basic Bottle Kit Inventory and How to Create the Bottles

Below is an example of supplies that can go into a bottle kit. Substitute items to fit your health and taste needs. Remember to replace food items and batteries every 6 months! When you change your clocks and smoke alarm batteries, change your kit!

Creating a Bottle Kit

Cut rounded tops off 2 2-liter soda bottles
Clean & dry thoroughly!
Pack one bottle with the cans in the bottom, “bars” & “sticks” down the sides
Place the noodle package in the bottom of other bottle and fit drink mixes & remaining items with it
Cut a 1 ½ slit down the edge of the bottle that holds the cans
Slide other bottle over it and push down to overlap as far as possible
Seal all the way around with DUCT tape
Attach another clean 2-liter bottle of water (or 2 bottles of water)
Write the date on everything!

Bottle Kit Content Examples

Breakfast:

3 cocoa/fruit drink mixes
3 meal bars

Lunch:

3 jerky sticks
3 cheese /peanut butter cracker packages

Snacks:

3 granola bars
3 cheese-dip bread sticks
3 fruit chew packages
3 packs chewing gum

Dinners:

3 apple cider mixes
1 can of soup
1 dry noodle soup pack
1 chicken salad meal kit (separate parts to fit)

Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness

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Red Cross Sites

Disaster Preparedness for Pregnant Women and Infants

Disaster Preparedness for Families with Children

Disaster Kit Preparation

General Disaster Information: