Family, Health, and Safety Preparation
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During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared — stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to:
- Prepare an emergency water supply
- Prepare an emergency food and medicine supply
- Gather safety items
- Gather personal items
Prepare an emergency water supply
- Have at least 5 gallons of water per person (which should be enough to last 3 to 5 days)
- Gather clean containers for water.
- Get supplies to make your drinking water safe (like iodine tablets or chlorine bleach).
- Learn how to safely store your water supply.
- Learn how to make your drinking water safe for use.
Prepare an emergency food and medicine supply
- Put together a 3 to 5 day supply of food that doesn’t go bad (like canned food)
- Make sure to have enough baby food or formula (if needed).
- Gather any prescription medicines.
- Learn tips for preparing your emergency food supply.
Gather safety items, including:
- First aid kit and instructions
- Fire extinguisher
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Sleeping bags or extra blankets
Gather personal care products, including:
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet cleaning cloths (like baby wipes) in case you don’t have clean water
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Tampons and pads
- Diapers
Tip: Make sure your supplies are stored together in a place that’s easy to reach.
What’s next?
- Create your own hurricane plan to keep you and your loved ones safe. Check out Make a Plan to learn more.
- Make sure your family, home, and car are ready for the storm. Check out Get Your Family, Home, and Car Ready for more information.
Learn more
- Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency
- Food, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Information for Use Before and After a Disaster or Emergency
- Emergency Water Supply Preparation
- Page last reviewed: September 5, 2017
- Page last updated: September 5, 2017
- Content source:
- National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH); Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR); Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury, and Environmental Health (ONDIEH); National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP); National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)