It would be anyone’s nightmare: a hurricane is on the way and you have to prepare. What do you do? What supplies do you need? If you live along the coast, it’s important that you have a hurricane preparation plan in place to help protect your home and family, especially during hurricane season (June-November). Part of this plan should include a kit of supplies to have ready in the event of an emergency. Here’s a handy checklist of hurricane preparation supplies, courtesy of Griff Harris, CIC, President of Griffith E. Harris Insurance Services, LLC in Greenwich, CT.
In preparation for a hurricane, you should have the following supplies gathered and ready, in case your home winds up without power—or have them packed and ready to go in the case of an evacuation:
- Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person, per day
- Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (a 7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby, food, diapers)
- Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
- Tools/supplies for securing your home
- Extra set of car keys and house keys
- Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes and rain gear
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
Another important part of hurricane preparation is talking to an insurance professional about coverage. Standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so it’s important to have protection from the flooding associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. For more detailed information, contact Griffith E. Harris Insurance Services LLC.
Click here for more hurricane preparation tips.
Brought to you by Griffith E. Harris Insurance Services, LLC
