To start the process, check the list below for all of the food, first aid, and tools you should keep on hand. Then read on to learn more about hurricanes, the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning, and how you can stay ahead of the storm to keep your family safe. As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) explained, hurricanes first start out as a tropical cyclone, which is “a rotating low-pressure weather system that has organized thunderstorms but no fronts (a boundary separating two air masses of different densities).” Not all cyclones turn into hurricanes. However, tropical cyclones that come with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) move into a category called tropical depressions. Then, those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are called tropical storms. And when the storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it then becomes an official hurricane. RELATED: Why and How Are Hurricanes Named? A category five storm, however, comes with sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. It will produce catastrophic damage. For reference, Hurricane Katrina was a category five storm when it struck New Orleans in 2005.
Water (at least two quarts of bottled water per person per day) Food (a three-day supply per person of nonperishable food should do) First-aid kit (band-aids, gauze, prescription, and non-prescription drugs) Tools (mess kits, pliers, storage containers, batteries) Clothing (a few clean pairs of underwear, socks, and warm items) Entertainment (board games and books) Radio (to stay informed if the power goes out) Pet needs (food, their own water, and bedding)
RELATED: These Are the Best Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency For more information on preparing for and staying safe during the hurricane season check out the National Hurricane Center and follow all the rules and advice of first responders.
