Quick answer: Prepare two connected kits: a home supply for interrupted utilities and a carryable evacuation bag. Size the home water and food reserve for your household, and put documents, medication, charging and immediate travel needs in the bag. Supplies never override a local evacuation order.
Calculate water before choosing containers
CDC recommends storing at least one gallon per person per day for three days and trying to keep a two-week supply when possible. Needs can be higher in hot conditions or for some household members. Include separate provision for pets.
| People | Three-day baseline | Fourteen-day baseline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
The table is arithmetic from that baseline, not a guarantee for every household. For four people, 56 gallons weighs roughly 467 pounds before containers. Split storage into manageable units on suitable supports instead of treating a deep home reserve as luggage.
Home kit: what stays in the house
- Stored water and familiar shelf-stable foods, with a manual can opener where needed.
- Battery lighting, tested charging cables and charged backup batteries.
- A battery-powered radio and a way to receive local warnings.
- First-aid supplies, personal hygiene items and a sanitation plan.
- Household-specific food, medication arrangements and supplies for children or pets.
Put a location beside each item on your checklist. An item already owned counts only if it is usable and someone can find it. List gaps separately so the shopping trip does not duplicate supplies while overlooking an essential category.
Evacuation bag: what must leave with you
The National Weather Service advises planning evacuation routes and preparing supplies before a storm. For the portable layer, gather identification, important records, medication information, phone charging, clothing and immediate food and water. Confirm the destination, transport and arrangements for pets or additional assistance in advance.
Try carrying the bag and loading the vehicle. Keep bulky home supplies separate. A useful bag should not require unpacking the entire pantry when you are told to leave.
Before the storm: a last-day check
- Read the latest local forecast and emergency-management instructions.
- Confirm whether your address is subject to evacuation and when to leave.
- Charge phones, banks and lights; pack the tested cables.
- Check the water count and ready-to-eat food.
- Move essential documents and personal items into the portable bag.
- Share the destination and an outside-area contact with household members.
This is a preparation checklist, not advice to travel through storm conditions. Follow official timing and route instructions. If a household member depends on powered medical equipment, make an individualized continuity and relocation plan with the relevant care provider before the storm.
Three checks a purchased kit cannot complete
Read every food item for household restrictions. Check that medication and personal equipment are included in your own plan. Finally, verify that the water quantity matches the people and days you calculated. A product labeled for a family may still leave those gaps.
After using the kit
Record what was consumed and what was difficult to find. Restock those items and change the packing arrangement while the experience is fresh. Keep the next review focused on actual supplies and the household’s current needs.
Continue with hurricane outage preparation or the evacuation bag guide.
Sources and scope
This is household planning guidance based on the sources below, not a product test or individual medical advice. Examples and packing workflows are PrepHearth planning examples. Follow current local emergency instructions.