Hurricane Supply List: Everything You Need Before the Storm

Hurricanes give you warning. That is both a blessing and a trap. You see the forecast, think you have time, and then every store within 50 miles sells out of water and plywood in the same afternoon. The people who ride out hurricanes comfortably are the ones who had their supplies locked in before the season started. This list covers everything from boarding up windows to surviving the aftermath when power, water, and cell service go down for days or weeks.

Water Supply

FEMA recommends one gallon per person per day. After a hurricane, municipal water systems can be contaminated for weeks. Plan for at least seven days, not three. If you have space, fill your bathtub before the storm hits using a WaterBOB liner.

• 7 gallons of water per person (sealed commercial bottles)
• WaterBOB bathtub liner (100 gallons of clean water from your tap)
• Portable water filter (Sawyer Squeeze or LifeStraw)
• Water purification tablets (backup method)
• 5-gallon collapsible water jugs (2 per household)
• Bleach, unscented (8 drops per gallon for emergency purification)

Food (7 to 14 Days)

Assume your power will be out for at least a week. That means your fridge is a ticking clock. Eat perishables first, frozen food second, then switch to shelf-stable supplies. Stock food that does not require cooking if your gas lines are damaged.

• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, spam)
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Peanut butter and crackers
• Emergency ration bars (Datrex or SOS)
• Freeze-dried meals (for after day three)
• Instant coffee, tea, powdered drink mixes
• Granola bars and trail mix
• Manual can opener (two, because one will disappear)
• Paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels
• Camp stove with extra fuel canisters
• Cooler with ice (freeze water bottles ahead of time)

Power and Lighting

After a hurricane, power restoration can take anywhere from three days to three weeks depending on damage severity. A generator is not optional in hurricane country. Even a small portable power station can keep phones charged and a fan running.

• Portable generator or solar power station
• Fuel for generator (20 gallons minimum, stored safely)
• Heavy-duty extension cords (outdoor rated)
• LED lanterns (battery or rechargeable, 2 to 3 for the house)
• Headlamps (one per person)
• Extra batteries (AA, AAA, D cells)
• Portable phone charger (20,000mAh or higher)
• Car phone charger (your car is a generator in a pinch)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank fans

Home Protection

The time to board up is before the hardware store runs out of plywood. If you live in a hurricane zone, pre-cut your plywood panels in May and label them by window. Store them in the garage. You will be the calmest person on the block when a Cat 3 is 48 hours out.

• Plywood sheets (5/8 inch, pre-cut and labeled per window)
• Hurricane shutters (permanent install is the best long-term play)
• Tapcon screws and drill with masonry bit
• Sandbags (for flood-prone entry points)
• Tarps (heavy-duty, for roof damage after the storm)
• Roofing nails and a hammer
• Chainsaw or hand saw (for downed trees post-storm)
• Surge protectors (unplug electronics before the storm)

Communication

• NOAA weather radio (hand-crank with USB charging port)
• Fully charged cell phones
• Written list of emergency contacts and insurance numbers
• Local AM/FM radio (cell towers often go down)
• Walkie-talkies (for communicating with neighbors)
• Whistle (for signaling if trapped)

First Aid and Medications

• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Prescription medications (14-day supply)
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Antihistamines and anti-diarrheal meds
• Insect repellent (standing water breeds mosquitoes fast)
• Sunscreen
• Electrolyte packets (dehydration risk without AC)
• Nitrile gloves
• N95 masks (mold remediation after flooding)

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Trash bags (heavy duty, lots of them)
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
• Toilet paper
• 5-gallon bucket with snap lid (emergency toilet)
• Waste bags with absorbent gel packets
• Bleach spray for mold and disinfection
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby supplies if applicable (diapers, formula, wipes)

Evacuation Essentials

If authorities issue a mandatory evacuation, do not debate it. Have a go-bag packed and a route planned before the season starts. Know at least two routes out of your area because highways will be jammed.

• Go-bag packed and accessible (see our bug-out bag checklist)
• Full tank of gas (fill up at 72 hours out, not 24)
• Paper maps of evacuation routes (two routes minimum)
• Cash in small bills ($300 to $500)
• Copies of insurance documents and IDs in a waterproof bag
• Photos and video of your home interior (for insurance claims)
• Pet carriers, food, and vaccination records
• Spare car key

Post-Storm Recovery

• Work gloves (heavy-duty leather)
• Steel-toed boots
• Chainsaw or bow saw
• Pry bar
• Broom and squeegee
• Wet/dry shop vacuum
• Dehumidifier (once power returns, mold prevention is priority one)
• Insurance agent contact info and policy numbers

Timeline: When to Do What

Before hurricane season (June 1): Pre-cut plywood, stock non-perishable food, check generator, review insurance policy. 72 hours out: Fill gas tanks, fill WaterBOB, freeze water bottles, charge all devices. 48 hours out: Board windows, move outdoor furniture inside, confirm evacuation route. 24 hours out: Final device charges, fill coolers with ice, secure important documents. When it hits: Stay in an interior room away from windows. Do not go outside during the eye. Wait for the all-clear.

Hurricane preparedness is a lifestyle, not a last-minute scramble. Build your supplies gradually throughout the spring. When everyone else is panicking in the plywood aisle, you will be at home making coffee.