- What Hurricane Supplies Should Suburban Families Gather First to Stay Safe?
- How Many Hurricane Supplies of Water, Food, and Medicine Are Enough for 72 Hours and 14 Days?
- Which Hurricane Supplies Keep Power and Communication Running During an Outage?
- Where Should You Store Hurricane Supplies for a Fast Evacuation or for Sheltering at Home?
- When Should You Use or Throw Away Refrigerated Hurricane Supplies After a Storm?
- What to Include in Hurricane Supplies for Babies, Seniors, Pets, and Medical Devices
- Final Hurricane Supplies Readiness Checklist for Suburban Households
- 3 FAQs About Preparing for a Hurricane
The Complete Suburban Hurricane Checklist: Smart Hurricane Supplies, Power Safety, and Property Prep
- What Hurricane Supplies Should Suburban Families Gather First to Stay Safe?
- How Many Hurricane Supplies of Water, Food, and Medicine Are Enough for 72 Hours and 14 Days?
- Which Hurricane Supplies Keep Power and Communication Running During an Outage?
- Where Should You Store Hurricane Supplies for a Fast Evacuation or for Sheltering at Home?
- When Should You Use or Throw Away Refrigerated Hurricane Supplies After a Storm?
- What to Include in Hurricane Supplies for Babies, Seniors, Pets, and Medical Devices
- Final Hurricane Supplies Readiness Checklist for Suburban Households
- 3 FAQs About Preparing for a Hurricane
In suburban communities, hurricane preparation is very crucial. Power, water, and local services can be out for days or even weeks. Roads may flood, and supply chains can be disrupted. This checklist focuses on hurricane supplies that suburban households can secure in advance, covering both short evacuations and extended shelter-in-place situations. Each section will guide you on what to buy, how to store it, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Hurricane Supplies Should Suburban Families Gather First to Stay Safe?
In the suburbs, hurricane preparation often starts with a trip to the store. The problem is that during peak storm warnings, shelves empty quickly. Your goal is to secure the most critical hurricane supplies before that rush happens. These are the items that keep your household alive, healthy, and able to respond if services are cut for several days.
Start with life-sustaining essentials
Think of the first category as your non-negotiables. This set should cover hydration, nutrition, medical care, light, and identification. For each item, store more than the minimum if you live in areas prone to long utility outages, such as coastal Florida or the Gulf Coast.
Category | Recommended Items | Pro Tips for Storage & Use |
Water | 1 gallon per person per day | Use sealed food-grade containers. Rotate every 6 months. Keep a small supply in grab-and-go bottles. |
Non-perishable food | Canned meats, beans, dry cereal, peanut butter, energy bars | Check expiration dates twice a year. Choose items you can eat cold if power is out. |
First aid & meds | Complete first aid kit, prescription meds for 7–14 days | Keep duplicates in a waterproof pouch. For refrigerated medicines, plan a cooling method in advance. |
Lighting | Flashlights for each person, LED lanterns | Store spare batteries in zip-seal bags. Test devices before hurricane season. |
Identification | Copies of ID, insurance papers, emergency contacts | Keep both paper copies and phone scans. Store paper copies in a waterproof bag. |
Add situational extras early
If you have infants, seniors, pets, or anyone with medical devices, integrate their specific needs into the main kit instead of keeping them separate.
Avoid common mistakes
Waiting until the last 48 hours to buy bottled water.
Storing heavy items on high shelves where they can fall during strong winds.
Forgetting cash; ATMs and card readers may be offline after a storm.
How Many Hurricane Supplies of Water, Food, and Medicine Are Enough for 72 Hours and 14 Days?
Knowing exact quantities prevents shortages and overbuying. In hurricane-prone areas like the Carolinas, Texas Gulf Coast, or Louisiana, two planning horizons are recommended: a 72-hour evacuation kit and a 14-day shelter-at-home supply.
Household Size | 72-Hour Water (Gallons) | 14-Day Water (Gallons) | 72-Hour Food (Servings) | 14-Day Food (Servings) |
2 People | 6 | 28 | 18 | 84 |
4 People | 12 | 56 | 36 | 168 |
6 People | 18 | 84 | 54 | 252 |
Medication guidelines
- Keep a 14-day supply, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma.
- Store medicines in cool, dry places unless refrigeration is required.
- Discuss emergency refills with your pharmacist before hurricane season starts.
Practical storage tip: Divide supplies into two sets — one ready to go for evacuation, and another for staying home. This reduces packing time and avoids the risk of leaving essentials behind.
Which Hurricane Supplies Keep Power and Communication Running During an Outage?
Power outages can last from hours to weeks. Without power, you lose refrigeration, lighting, and reliable communication. This section covers hurricane supplies that maintain these services safely.
Backup power options
Option | Best Use Case | Safety Notes |
Portable power stations | Indoor-safe, quiet, powers small devices | Charge before storm hits. Keep in dry place. |
Fuel-based generators | Powers larger appliances | Must be outdoors, at least 20 feet from buildings. |
Solar chargers | Phones, radios, LED lights | Works best with clear weather; keep panels clean. |
For households that want a higher-capacity indoor-safe option, a portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max can store enough energy to run essential appliances for hours, recharge quickly, and expand capacity if needed.
Communication tools
NOAA weather radio for official alerts.
Walkie-talkies or two-way radios for neighbors and family.
Printed contact lists in case phone memory is inaccessible.
Safety reminders
Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor.
Store fuel in ventilated areas away from living spaces.
Test all equipment before hurricane season.
Where Should You Store Hurricane Supplies for a Fast Evacuation or for Sheltering at Home?
The location of your supplies affects how quickly you can act. In areas with flood risk, storage height and waterproofing matter as much as the supplies themselves.
For fast evacuation
- Keep a grab-and-go kit near the front door or garage.
- Pack an extra supply of water and snacks in your vehicle.
- Store documents and electronics in waterproof cases.
For shelter-in-place
- Store bulk water and food in dry, raised areas.
- Keep lighting and first aid kits in central rooms.
- Place tools such as duct tape, wrenches, and tarps in easy reach.
Property protection supplies
Item | Purpose |
Plywood or shutters | Protects windows from debris |
Sandbags | Blocks minor floodwater |
Heavy-duty tape | Seals small openings |
Avoid these errors:
- Burying kits under seasonal decorations.
- Storing fuel or chemicals near food or water.
When Should You Use or Throw Away Refrigerated Hurricane Supplies After a Storm?
Food safety is critical when the power goes out. Following temperature rules can prevent illness.
Cold storage safety timeline
Appliance | Safe Duration If Unopened | Notes |
Refrigerator | 4 hours | Use a fridge thermometer. |
Full freezer | 48 hours | Keep doors closed as much as possible. |
Half-full freezer | 24 hours | Add ice packs to extend time. |
Special needs supplies
- Babies: formula, sterilized bottles, disposable feeding supplies.
- Seniors: mobility aids, incontinence products, extra blankets.
- Medical devices: spare batteries, adapters, and a backup power source.
- Pets: food, leash, vaccination records.
Label these family hurricane supplies clearly and place them where all household members can find them.
What to Include in Hurricane Supplies for Babies, Seniors, Pets, and Medical Devices
Not every household member can use standard kits. Customizing supplies improves safety and comfort.
Group-specific needs
- Babies: Extra diapers, wipes, rash cream, soft blankets, and baby-safe insect repellent.
- Seniors: Prescription meds, compression socks, slip-proof shoes.
- Pets: Two-week food supply, travel crate, updated ID tags.
- Medical devices: Long extension cords, backup battery packs.
Integrate these into the main kit so they are not overlooked during an emergency rush.
Final Hurricane Supplies Readiness Checklist for Suburban Households
Before peak storm season, make sure you can tick off these essentials:
Enough water and food for every household member, including pets, for your chosen time frame.
All power and communication gear tested and ready.
Medicines, first aid supplies, and special needs items are up to date.
Clear evacuation routes and a confirmed safe shelter.
Take 30 minutes this week to run through your home and mark each item complete. If you find a gap, fix it now, not when the storm is already near. For more detailed guidance, check FEMA’s Hurricane Safety Tips and NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Week.
Start your checklist today, and make sure your hurricane supplies are ready before the next warning is issued.
3 FAQs About Preparing for a Hurricane
Q1: How do I know if my hurricane supplies are still good to use?
Check all your food supplies for expired dates and broken packages. Rotate your water and dry supplies 6–12 months to ensure freshness. Inspect your batteries and lamps twice a year. For medicine, keep them stored as the label directs to ensure they work for the next hurricane season. Keep an up-to-date list of your supplies and mark each date you add a supply so you can replace it when necessary. This prevents you from wasting supplies and ensures they work properly when you need them.
Q2: How can we store hurricane supplies in extremely limited locations around our households?
Stack your storage bins one atop another with secure tops. Label each bin with what you put inside. Put heavy loads on floors and light loads above. Consider storing storage bins beneath your bed. Store a tiny "quick action" supply package within a closet or adjacent to each front door, so you can quickly grab it if needed. Store spare garments or blankets in vacuum-seal packs to save room. Check frequently to ensure storage spaces remain dry and pest-free to preserve supplies in excellent condition throughout the year.
Q3: How do I get my little children engaged in preparing for a hurricane without frightening them?
Create a family activity and assign each family member tasks according to their age, such as labeling containers or placing batteries in flashlights. This time, you can also educate on safety and how to assist each other. Perform special "drills" quickly to demonstrate safe use of supplies and remaining calm when assisting each other. Create a "Comfort Kit" for all youth with supplies, games, and stuffed animals within. This keeps them occupied and safe during stressful times.