Be Prepared

Planning and preparation are key to avoiding and minimizing disorder after a natural disaster. Knowing what items your family needs to be prepared is essential since natural disasters can leave affected areas without power for days or even weeks. Below are some helpful tips from FEMA and the Red Cross for creating your own emergency supply kit.

Recommended Items for a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

    • Water (one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days)
    • Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
    • Battery-powered or hand crank radio
    • Flashlight 
    • Extra batteries
    • First Aid kit
    • Whistle to signal for help
    • Personal hygiene and sanitation items
    • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
    • Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
    • Local maps
    • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider for an Emergency Supply Kit:

    • Prescription medications and glasses
    • Infant formula and diapers
    • Pet food and extra water for your pet
    • Cash
    • Important family documents in a waterproof, portable container (copies of insurance

       policies, identification and bank account records)
    • Extra set of car keys and house keys
    • Complete change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes
    • Sleeping bags or blankets for each person
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Matches in a waterproof container
    • Paper towels

For more tips on how to be prepared for natural disasters, visit ready.gov or redcross.org.