During and after an emergency, you might need to be able to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having things such as food, water, and supplies to get you past 72 hours. Below are helpful item list and explanation to understand what you are facing during a Hurricane, Tornado, or Severe Weather.
After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
A hurricane is a large rotating storm with high-speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical areas. Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and an area of low air pressure in the center called the eye.
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air between a cloud and Earth, touching both. … Falling rain or hail pulls air down to form downdrafts. Since the tornado is in rising air, the wind around it is flowing into the tornado. Damaging winds can hit hundreds of yards from the tornado’s vortex.
High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are thunderstorms, downbursts, tornadoes, waterspouts, tropical cyclones, and extratropical cyclones. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include blizzards (snowstorms), ice storms, and duststorms.
TO-DO CHECKLIST
☐ Create a supply kit.
☐ Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk.
☐ Sign Up for Notifications: Know how your community sends warnings.
☐ Communication Plan: Have a family plan with an emergency meeting place and related information.
☐ Practice Your Plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill.
☐ Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for the possibility of helping others.
SUPPLY CHECKLIST
☐ Water: 3-day supply; 1 gallon per person per day
☐ Food: at least 3-day easy-to-prepare food
☐ Flashlight
☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Portable USB phone battery charger
☐ First aid kit
☐ Medications (7-day supply)
☐ Sanitation and personal hygiene items
☐ Copies of personal documents
☐ Cell phone with chargers
☐ Family and emergency contact information
☐ Emergency blanket
☐ Baby supplies
☐ Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
☐ Tools/supplies for securing your home
☐ Extra clothing
☐ Rain gear
☐ High Water Boots
☐ Insect repellent and sunscreen
