Know your zone, know where you will go, and leave when local officials tell you to. Supplies support the plan—they do not replace it.
Start with three days. Build toward two weeks.
Florida emergency guidance recommends keeping essential supplies ready before hurricane season. For water, the CDC says to store at least one gallon per person per day for three days and to try for a two-week supply when possible. Your household may need more because of heat, health needs, children, or pets.
per person, per day
minimum starting point
when storage allows
Water & food
Build the part of the kit you cannot safely improvise after stores close.
- At least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days; store more when space allows
- Additional water for pets, pregnancy, illness, medical needs, and Florida heat
- Shelf-stable food your household will actually eat
- Manual can opener, basic utensils, and a safe no-power meal plan
- Water filter or purification backup—without treating it as a replacement for stored water
Power & light
Plan around the essentials you truly need to keep running during an outage.
- Flashlights or headlamps for each person, plus spare batteries
- Charged phone power banks and the correct cables
- A portable power station sized for your actual devices and expected runtime
- Solar-panel or vehicle-charging options compatible with your power station
- Battery-powered lanterns instead of open-flame lighting
Alerts & communication
A charged phone is useful. A second way to receive official information is better.
- NOAA Weather Radio with fresh batteries or another reliable backup power source
- Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on every household phone
- Written emergency contacts and an out-of-area check-in person
- Printed evacuation routes in case cellular data is unavailable
- Whistle and simple signaling tools for each go-bag
Health, documents & cash
Protect the items that are difficult—or impossible—to replace during a disruption.
- First-aid kit matched to your household and training
- Necessary prescriptions, medical supplies, and a medication list
- Copies of identification, insurance, medical, and property records in a waterproof pouch
- Cash in small bills for periods when card systems are unavailable
- Masks, hand sanitizer, soap, hygiene products, and heavy-duty trash bags
Home & evacuation
Prepare for both outcomes: sheltering safely and leaving before roads become dangerous.
- Know your evacuation zone and at least two routes to a safe destination
- Fuel or charge the vehicle early and keep a vehicle emergency kit inside
- Approved window protection and tools for securing outdoor objects
- Fire extinguisher, work gloves, sturdy shoes, and basic cleanup supplies
- One portable go-bag per person with water, food, light, documents, and personal needs
People & pets
A complete checklist changes with the people and animals depending on it.
- Infant food, diapers, comfort items, and feeding supplies
- Mobility, hearing, vision, respiratory, or refrigeration-dependent medical supplies
- Pet food, water, medications, carriers, leashes, and vaccination records
- Cooling plan for extreme heat when air conditioning is unavailable
- A written plan for anyone who may need help evacuating
Your hurricane preparation timeline
Build the core kit, review insurance, photograph property, learn your evacuation zone, and make a household communication plan.
Top off supplies, charge every device, fuel or charge the vehicle, secure outdoor objects, protect windows, and confirm your destination.
Take people, pets, medicines, documents, go-bags, and your planned route. Leave early enough to avoid dangerous conditions and traffic.
One storm. Every essential.
Browse the hurricane collection or compare an all-in-one foundation you can personalize.
Official sources
Use these agencies for current instructions, forecasts, evacuation information, and safety guidance.
This guide is general educational information, not live emergency advice. Conditions and official recommendations can change. Follow local emergency managers and evacuation orders.