With hurricane season officially in full swing, it is vital to be prepared for the floods, power outages and high winds that come with this natural disaster. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has already predicted that the 2020 hurricane season is going to be “extremely active.” Hurricane Isais broke ground on the East Coast of the US already, killing five people, leaving thousands in New Jersey without power and spurring a tornado outbreak that spawned the strongest cyclone-tornado since 2005.
One of the best things you can do is prepare and have an emergency preparedness plan in place. This includes a plan for communicating with loved ones, an escape route from your residence and place of work, and lots of supplies. Don’t wait until it’s too late to realize your emergency supplies are either expired, missing or nonexistent. Here’s what we recommend when it comes to creating your emergency preparedness kit for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.
1. Renogy Portable Solar Power Flashlight
This versatile tool is equipped with a rechargeable power bank with USB or solar charging options, so you are never stuck in an emergency without a light source. This unique flashlight’s solar panel charging abilities means you are never stuck with a dead battery, even without backups or a power source. Simply charge this handy device with solar power to get it back up and running. In addition, this flashlight is equipped with a seat belt cutter, window breaker, and compass, which are important safety features when traveling during the unpredictable, flood-prone hurricane season.
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2. Qi Portable Solar Power Bank Charger
In an emergency, it is always important to have access to a cellphone to make emergency phone calls and connect with loved ones. However, in the event of a hurricane, power outages are common, and it can be scary to have a dead cellphone on your hands and no way to charge it. That’s why a power bank like this one is essential as well as the solar-powered functionality, so you always have a way to charge it. This wireless power bank can charge an iPhone 8 up to 3.5x on a single charge and is made of sturdy materials that are splash proof. It’s equipped with a USB port, a type C port, two flashlights and a compass.
3. Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit
This comprehensive first aid kit is a must-have during hurricane season for attending to minor injuries that may occur as a result of the violent weather. This kit contains all of the first-aid basics you may need in the event of a crisis, from bandages and gauze to ice packs and tweezers. It is also small and lightweight, making it easily portable if you get caught in an unpredictable situation and need to get up and go. Plus, for such a small bag, it packs a punch: it contains 30 medium bandages, 20 cotton swabs, disposable gloves, a sewing kit, a CPR mask and more.
4. Kaito 5-Way Powered Emergency Radio
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one of the essentials to have on hand during a hurricane is a battery-operated or hand-crank radio. What’s great about this particular radio is that it can be powered in five different ways: with an AC/DC adapter, battery, hand crank, or with solar or computer power. With five different charging options, you can rest assured that you will always have a power source to broadcast emergency channels. In addition, it contains a flashlight and reading lamp, and you can plug your phone into the jack at the back of the radio to charge it.
5. Sustain Supply 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit
Rather than have to put a supply kit together yourself, this Sustain Supply Emergency Kit provides all of the basics for you. This 72-hour survival pack comes with three days worth of food and water and includes other necessities like bowls, utensils, glow sticks, bath wipes, emergency blankets, a portable stove and more.
Everything fits easily in the provided backpack, so you can easily grab it and go in the event of an emergency. According to reviewers, everything included in the pack is high quality and has a long shelf life, so you have peace of mind that all of your supplies will be usable and working properly in the event that a disaster strikes.
6. Extra Batteries
For those things that don’t charge, or in the case that your portable power bank runs out of battery, having an extra set of batteries around is always a good idea. You’ll want a variety of them for different devices, so make sure you’ve at least got AA and AAA on hand. These batteries from Duracall are affordable and have a 10-year leak-free shelf life so there’s no concern about them wasting away in your emergency kit only to be found unusable once you actually need them. We’ve included links to both the double and triple-A options below.
7. Tarp
We’d hate for it to come to this, but it’s always a good idea to have a way to make shelter handy. A tarp is also useful in the event of a flood for protecting belongings from a wet ground, or for draping over belongings during the rain. This one is made with tightly woven fabric that are durable and protective. It’s completely waterproof and is lightweight so you won’t regret packing it in your emergency kit if you need to hike or walk for a while. It has enforced border piping that resists against tears and it includes built-in aluminum grommets to enable a secure tie-down.
8. Duct Tape
Another catch-all must-have emergency essential? Duck tape. This stuff is great for patching in a pinch, securing holes, attaching items together and repairing belongings under pressure. This duct tape from Gorilla is double thick and heavy-duty for even your most intense repair jobs. It has double the adhesive of other brands and has a tight weave that makes it a dependable, hefty tape. Despite this, you can still tear this tape with your hand and it has a weather-resistant shell built-in so if the weather changes, you can rest assured knowing this tape is built to withstand moisture, UV rays and extreme temperature fluctuations.
9. Can Opener
You know all those shelf-safe cans of food you’ve got sitting in your kit? You don’t want to not have a way to open them safely when the time comes. Sure, you could bang them against that rock but if it opens and your precious food supply goes everywhere, you’re going to wish you had remembered a can opener. Take this concern off your plate by purchasing one for your emergency essentials kit, like this one from Bartelli. It’s small and compact, so it won’t take up extra room in your pack, but it will get the job done. The no-squeeze cutting mechanism locks itself onto the can and won’t leave any sharp edges after opening. It has a high-quality stainless steel blade inside that will effortlessly open your emergency meal with no strenuous hand activity required. It also creates a lid that’s easily re-sealable, in case you want to finish off more of your food later on.
10. Emergency Whistle
In case you need to signal for help or medical attention, an emergency whistle is a helpful thing to have. This one is a double tube emergency whistle that provides up to 120 decibel dB of sound power. It has a pealess design that won’t jam or freeze because there are no parts that may fall out of place, and it’s designed to excellent airflow in any conditions. The lanyard is adjustable and it’s made of ultra-durable ABS plastic that’s built to last and maintain moisture resistance.