StormStock · Hurricane guides
Hurricane supply kit
Most kit lists are written as if the power comes back the same evening. Build for three days minimum, a week if you can, and assume no refrigeration and no card readers.
Water and food
- One gallon of water per person per day. Three days minimum, seven if you have the space.
- Extra water for pets, and for washing.
- Food that needs no cooking, no water and no refrigeration.
- A manual can opener — the single most forgotten item on this list.
- Coolers and as much ice as you can hold. Ice is the first thing to disappear and the last to come back.
Power and light
- Flashlights and headlamps, plus spare batteries in the right sizes.
- A battery or hand-crank radio, for when the network is down.
- Portable phone batteries, charged before the storm.
- Candles are a last resort, not a plan — open flame in a dark house full of debris is how fires start.
Health and documents
- Prescriptions filled for at least a week.
- A first aid kit, and any medical equipment that needs power planned for separately.
- Copies of insurance policies, IDs and the deed or lease, reachable without internet.
- Cash in small bills.
The house
- Tarps, rope and duct tape for temporary repairs.
- A wrench for the gas shutoff if you have gas service.
- Trash bags, wet wipes and hand sanitiser for when water is limited.
- Bug spray. Standing water after a storm means mosquitoes within days.
Common questions
How many days should a hurricane kit cover?
Three days is the standard minimum and seven is more realistic for a major storm, because restoring power to an entire county takes longer than restoring it to one street.
What is the most commonly forgotten item?
A manual can opener, closely followed by cash in small bills and pet supplies. All three become impossible to obtain once the storm is close.
Do I need a generator?
Only if someone in the household depends on powered medical equipment, or if you can store and run it safely outdoors. A generator used indoors is more dangerous than the outage it solves.
This guide follows official guidance from the National Hurricane Center, FEMA and Florida emergency management. It does not replace instructions from your local officials. In an emergency, call 911.