Hurricane Preparedness Kit: Know What You Need Before You Need It

HOUSTON, TX — As Tropical Storm Cindy inches closer to the Texas-Louisiana coastline, residents are wondering if they should prepare now or have already been prepared, but the best answer is Gulf Coast residents should always be prepared.

Since 2015, the Houston area has been hit with two historic floods that caused millions in damages to homes in Greenspoint, Meyerland, Jersey Village and Katy. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

While none of those storms were hurricanes or tropical storms, the storms dropped significant amounts of rain resulting in major flood events along creeks and bayous.

As a result, Houstonians should always have a hurricane preparedness kit ready, and if they don’t then it’s a good idea to learn what you need, and build your own.

According to ready.gov, every emergency preparedness kit should have the following items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (canned food, baby food, Granola bars, energy bars)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Other suggested items to have in your kit include:

• An emergency (reflector) vest
• Red Bandana (in case you need to signal for help)
• Pet supplies (leashes, pet food, medicines, kennel or crate)
• Medications for family members
• Eye drops
• Dry socks
• Cash
• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Writing supplies
• Books/Games
• Emergency Contact information/documents
• Fire extinguisher
• Waterproof matches/fire starter
• Insect repellant/sun screen

You can find a list of more items,and tips on being prepared at ready.gov or the National Hurricane Center.

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