Hurricane prep kits: What you need ahead of a storm's approach

Jul 29, 2023

After a relatively quiet summer in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center started the week tracking three tropical storms.

Tropical Storm Emily was the first to form, developing in the Central Atlantic Sunday. Emily is not expected to last long, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hours after Emily’s formation, Tropical Storm Franklin developed in the eastern Caribbean. Franklin is expected to strengthen and could become a hurricane within five days.

Early Monday, Tropical Storm Gert became the eighth named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, forming east of the Leeward Islands. Like Emily, Gert is expected to be short-lived.

All that activity offers a reminder that the best time to finish your hurricane preparations is well ahead of a storm’s arrival.

If you need another incentive, the second of Florida’s two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays starts on Saturday, Aug. 26, and runs through Sept. 8. Tax-exempt items range from self-powered lights and radios to tarpaulins, AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries and food coolers, among other items.

What do you need to do? Here’s a look at what you need to know:

Get things ready early.

The National Hurricane Center, Florida Division of Emergency Management, AccuWeather, the Red Cross — and all other local, state and federal disaster officials — strongly encourage those living in a hurricane-prone area to assemble an emergency kit.

The best advice is to purchase, or update your kit from the prior year, well before a storm is approaching. That way you can avoid the long lines, empty shelves and stressed-out shoppers when a hurricane is on the way.

Assemble these items now and put them aside in a spot where you’ll be able to quickly retrieve them. Keep heat-sensitive items inside your house and rotate the stock throughout the season:

Get enough nonperishable food to last two weeks. Keep in mind that canned and other prepared foods that are salty, dry or high in fat or protein might make for good provisions, but also will make you thirsty.

Stores will be mobbed just before a storm and closed for days after. Keep a two-week supply of prescription drugs. Your first-aid kit should include:

Again, early preparation is key, before the lines start to form and supplies start to dwindle.

However you do it, keep your gas tank full. Stations could be without power for weeks after a catastrophic storm or it may be difficult for tankers to reach the area.

Keep these items in your supply kit: