It’s never too early to start planning ahead, especially with Hurricane Season in full swing. The Office of Emergency Management of Miami-Dade recommends residents buy certain items ahead of storms to be fully prepared.
The OEM recommends residents have three to 14 days of supplies of the items.
The Basics
• Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Manual can opener
• Nonperishable foods*
• Canned meat, fish, fruit,or vegetables
• Bread in moisture proof packaging
• Cookies, candy or dried fruit
• Canned soups & nonperishable milk
• Powdered or single serve drinks
• Cereal or granola bars
• Packaged ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Instant tea or coffee
• Flashlight (1 per person) *
• Portable battery powered lanterns
• Large trash bags (lots of them)
• Battery operated radio *
• Extra batteries, including hearing aid batteries
• First aid kit including aspirin, antibiotic cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen (45 SPF recommended)
• Waterproof matches / butane lighter
• Money *
• Unscented bleach or water purification tablets (add 8 drops of bleach per gal.)
• Maps of the area with landmarks on it
Cooking
• Sterno fuel
• Portable camp stove or grill w/ utensils
• Stove fuel, charcoal w/ lighter fluid or propane
• Disposable eating utensils, plates, cups
• Napkins and paper towels
• Aluminum foil
• Oven mitts
Personal Supplies
• Prescription medicines (1 month supply and copy of prescriptions) *
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Entertainment: books, games, toys and magazines *
• Bedding: pillows, sleeping bag *
• Change of clothing *
• Rain ponchos and work gloves
• Extra eye glasses or contacts
Important Documents*
Local
• Insurance documents
• A list of all your important contacts (family, doctors, insurance agents)
• Banking information
• Leases / mortgage
• Proof of occupancy (such as utility bill) *
• Photo inventory of your personal belongings *
• Waterproof container to keep the documents in
Babies
• Disposable diapers *
• Formula, food and medication *
• Bottles and feeding utensils
Pet Supplies
• Dry and/or canned food
• Manual can opener
• Bowls for food and water to attach to the cage/carrier
• ID tags and collars
• Proof of recent immunizations
• Water (1/2 gallon per day)
• Litter box and supplies
• Litter scooper
• Carrying container
• Plastic poop bags
Other Necessities
• Tool box
• ABC rated fire extinguisher
• Masking tape or duct tape
• Outdoor extension cords
• Spray paint
• Standard single line phone (that does not require electricity)
• Local phone book
• Roofing tarps or plastic sheeting
* If you are planning to evacuate to a Red Cross Evacuation Center, please be sure to take these items
