Building a Hurricane Supply Kit: What to Pack for Home, Car, and Pets

That’s why having a hurricane supply kit ready ahead of time matters. Not just one emergency kit, actually. You’ll want different supplies for your home, your car, and your pets. What you need depends on where you are when the storm hits—or what happens afterward.

TL;DR

To build a hurricane supply kit, pack at least 7 days’ worth of essentials for your home, car, and pets—including water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and important documents. Don’t forget pet food, leashes, and carriers, plus car items like chargers, snacks, and a first aid kit. Preparing early helps you avoid chaos once a storm is on the radar.

Let’s break it down into three parts:

Home Kit

Aim to be self-sufficient for at least 7 days, including one gallon of water per person . That means food, water, medicine—everything. Florida storms can knock out power and supply chains for longer than you think.

Start with these basics:

Food and Water

You can’t rely on running water or a working fridge. Think shelf-stable and low-maintenance, storing them in easy to carry containers .

• 1 gallon of water per person per day — for drinking, cooking, basic hygiene
• Canned goods — beans, soups, chili, canned chicken or tuna
• Dry snacks — granola bars, crackers, trail mix, beef jerky
• Baby formula, powdered milk, or medical nutrition drinks if needed
• Manual can opener — electric ones won’t help during an outage

Pro tip: stock foods you’ll actually eat. A dozen cans of lentils won’t help if no one in the house touches them.

Health and Hygiene

Storms don’t pause daily health needs. Prep like you won’t have access to a pharmacy or a working bathroom, making sure to include personal hygiene items .

• First aid kit — adhesive bandages, gauze, antiseptic, tweezers, gloves
• Prescription medications — aim for a full 7-day supply, stored in waterproof bags
• Over-the-counter meds — pain relievers, allergy meds, antacids, anti-diarrheals
• Toiletries — toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap
• Sanitation items — moist towelettes, dry shampoo, toilet paper, feminine products

Power and Light

Outages can last a few hours—or days. Think about what you’d need after sunset.

• LED flashlights — plus extra batteries (store them separately to avoid corrosion)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio — to stay updated if cell service goes out
• Power banks or portable chargers — fully charged before the storm
• Headlamps — useful if your hands are full or you’re fixing something in the dark

Avoid candles if you can. Fire risk goes way up during a storm.

Documents and Cash

Phones die. Internet goes down. You still need a way to access critical info.

• Printed copies of home insurance, flood policies, ID cards, medical records
• Emergency contacts — include numbers you don’t have memorized
• Cash — small bills are better; ATMs might be down or out of service

Keep all documents in airtight plastic bags or a waterproof pouch.

Other Useful Stuff

The little things you forget until you need them, like canned food .

• Extra clothes — include socks, underwear, and rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags — even in Florida, nights can get chilly without AC
• Trash bags — use for waste, makeshift rain covers, or packing
• Basic tools — screwdriver, wrench, multi-tool, duct tape
• Entertainment — cards, puzzle books, anything low-tech to pass time

Having these items ready—before a storm shows up on the radar—makes a stressful situation a lot more manageable, especially if you have paper cups for drinks . Especially if you’ve got kids, elderly family members, or pets in the house.

Car Kit

If you have to evacuate, your car becomes more than just transportation—it’s your mobile supply station. Whether you’re stuck in traffic or sleeping in a rest stop lot, having the right gear in your trunk, including mess kits,  makes a big difference.

Keep these items packed and ready, such as a warm blanket.

Core Supplies

These cover the basics—mobility, visibility, and comfort.

• Jumper cables — dead batteries are common when cars sit idle during storms
• Flashlight with spare batteries — a headlamp is even better for hands-free use
• First aid kit — include gauze, bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gloves
• Reflective triangles or road flares — in case you break down or pull over in low visibility
• Small tool kit — screwdriver, pliers, duct tape, and a wrench at minimum

Food and Hydration

Plan for at least 24 hours in the car, possibly more.

• Bottled water — 1–2 liters per person
• Non-perishable snacks — trail mix, protein bars, applesauce pouches

Avoid salty snacks that make you more thirsty.

Power and Communication

Losing contact while on the road can be dangerous.

• Car phone charger — make sure it’s the right type for your devices
• Backup power bank — fully charged before hurricane season starts
• Printed evacuation maps or directions — GPS apps may not work if signals drop

Comfort and Extras

A few small comforts can make a stressful trip easier—especially if you’re stuck in traffic or sleeping in the car.

• Blanket or travel pillow
• Change of clothes — shirt, socks, underwear, weather-appropriate layers
• Wet wipes or hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper or tissues

If you’ve got kids: toss in a favorite toy, a coloring book, or something small that keeps them busy. Long drives + no distractions = high stress.

You don’t have to go overboard. Just think about the last time you were stuck in your car longer than expected. Now imagine that, but during a storm. This kit This kit helps you avoid a worst-case situation, especially with garbage bags on hand.

Pet Kit

When you’re packing for a hurricane, it’s easy to focus on people first. But pets have their own needs—and if you’re evacuating or losing power, they’ll feel the stress too.

Think of this as your pet’s go-bag. Prep it once, check it before storm season each year, and you’ll be ready.

Food and Water

Same rule applies: plan for at least 3 days, including a gallon per person of water .

• Food — dry or canned, plus a manual can opener if needed
• Collapsible food and water bowls — saves space and keeps things clean
• Water — about a quart per day for small pets, more for larger ones

Don’t count on stores or shelters to have food that works for your pet’s diet, and remember to bring plastic ties for securing items .

Restraint and Safety

You need a way to transport them quickly and safely.

• Leash and harness — even for indoor pets; panicked animals may run
• Pet carrier or crate — something ventilated, secure, and labeled with your contact info
• ID tags and microchip info — make sure everything’s up to date

Label crates with your name, your pet’s name, and a phone number.

Sanitation

Storms disrupt routines. Pets still need to go.

• Waste bags or litter box with litter
• Puppy pads — especially useful if you’re in a hotel or shelter

Also helps prevent accidents in the car during long evacuations.

Medical and ID Info

Some shelters won’t let pets in without proof of vaccinations.

• Vet records — shots, medical conditions, prescriptions
• Any medications — ideally a few days’ worth in a labeled container
• Photo of your pet — in case you get separated

Keep all of this in a waterproof pouch or a folder with your own documents, including your bank account records .

Comfort Items

Storms are loud and chaotic. Familiar items can calm your pet.

• Favorite toy or blanket
• Towel or old shirt that smells like home

It may sound small, but for an anxious animal, it can make a big difference.

Planning for your pets isn’t extra—it’s part of planning for your family, especially if you have baby food needs . And when you’re not scrambling to find a leash or dig up vet records, everything else runs smoother.

Prep Now So You’re Not Scrambling Later

You don’t need to put everything together in one day. Start with the basics, including instant coffee for a quick boost . Water. Food. Flashlights. Add a few items each week.

And don’t wait until the forecast says a storm is coming. That’s when shelves go empty and gas lines get long.

If you're not sure whether your home insurance covers hurricane damage—or you want help figuring it out—Worth Insurance has resources built specifically for Florida homeowners, including advice on necessary food items . You can explore options, get answers, or just ask a few questions. No pressure.

Check your coverage or request a quote at Worth Insurance. It's one less thing to worry about when a storm is on the way.