Emergency Preparedness: Using Self Storage for Peace of Mind

Hurricanes are the costliest weather disasters in the United States, causing an average of $22.8 billion in damage since 1980—wielding devastating power, unleashing torrential rainfall, fierce winds, and menacing storm surges. Prioritizing hurricane preparedness is crucial to guarding yourself and your possessions, minimizing damage, and ensuring a swift recovery once the storm has passed.

Read our blog to learn how to create a prep list, stock a survival kit, and discover the benefits of an RV hurricane strap kit. You’ll even learn how storage units offer a convenient environment to store essential supplies.

Creating a Comprehensive Hurricane Prep List

Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you create your hurricane prep list. Our guide features the essential items that you should consider including in your hurricane emergency kit so you and your loved ones are prepared for any potential impact.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

The first step in our hurricane prep list is to consider how many people and pets are in your home to ensure you have all the supplies you need without going overboard. Remember to include any special medical requirements, such as prescriptions, medications, or medical devices.

Step 2: Build Emergency Food Kits

When putting together emergency food kits, it’s essential to keep the following in mind:

Shelf life. Select kits with an extended shelf life so they remain usable for longer.
Variety. Choose a combination of ready-to-eat meals, freeze-dried foods, and nonperishable snacks.
Quantity. Plan for at least three days’ worth of food per person and pet in your household.

Step 3: Gather Common Nonperishable Food

Canned goods. Like canned vegetables, fruits, beans, and meats
Dry foods. Pasta, rice, cereals, and powdered milk
Snacks. Nuts, granola bars, and dried fruits for quick energy
Cooking supplies. Manual can opener, disposable utensils, and paper plates

Step 4: Collect Bottled Water

Plan for at least one gallon of water per person and pet per day to last for a minimum of three days. We recommend storing the water in clean, sealed bottles in a cool, dark place to maintain its freshness.

Step 5: Build a Stock of Medical Supplies

First aid kit. Bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and burn ointments
Prescriptions. At least a week’s supply of any necessary medications
Personal hygiene items. Hand sanitizer, soap, and sanitary products

Items for a hurricane emergency kit, such as a first-aid kit, documents, and food, surround a backpack.

Step 6: Keep Emergency Gear on Hand

In case of power outages due to a hurricane, keeping a stock of emergency equipment is critical. Gear to gather includes:

Flashlights. Store battery-powered or hand-crank flashlights.
Batteries. Stock batteries in different sizes for flashlights and other devices.
Multi-tool. Include a multipurpose tool for emergency repairs and utility needs.
Radio. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates.

Step 7: Choose a Few Comfort Items

Gather plenty of blankets and comforters to keep each family member warm in case of a power outage. Pack spare clothes, sturdy shoes, and rain gear, and remember to store essential items like eyeglasses and contact lenses. Don’t overlook the importance of these items in your everyday life because they’ll be crucial during an emergency.

Step 8: Account for Special Necessities

For infants. Baby formula, diapers, wipes, a toy or two, and a baby carrier
For seniors. Hearing aids, mobility aids, essential medications or equipment, and extra glasses
For pets. Pet food, water, a collapsible bowl, lease or harness, and any necessary medications

Step 9: Write an Evacuation Plan

As you develop your hurricane evacuation strategy, make sure to consider these crucial factors:

Important documents. Store copies of IDs, birth certificates, insurance policies, Social Security cards, and bank information in a waterproof container.
Evacuation routes. Plan multiple routes out of your area if roads are blocked, and keep a paper map with your gear.
Communication plan. Designate a way to stay in touch with family members if you get separated.

Step 10: Regularly Update and Maintain Your Hurricane Prep Kit

Make it a routine to go through your food, water, and medications to ensure they’re fresh and ready to go. Adjust your kit accordingly and replace any used items as your family’s needs shift. Review your hurricane prep list and evacuation plan regularly with your family to keep everyone in the loop and ensure everyone is fully prepared when the storm hits.

Steel storm shutters installed over house windows for protection against a hurricane.

The Role of Self Storage in Hurricane Preparedness

Having a natural disaster survival kit is essential, but it’s equally crucial to store it in a secure and easily accessible location. Storing hurricane survival kits, medical supplies, and survival gear in a self storage unit can help shield your belongings from weather-related damage.

Extreme weather and fluctuating temperatures can wreak havoc on your supplies. That’s where climate-controlled storage units come in. Their stable conditions are ideal for preserving and keeping your items pristine. During a hurricane, storage space is a game-changer.

Stocking and Organizing Your Storage Unit With a Survival Kit

Survival kit items you should consider keeping in your storage unit include:

Medical supplies, including a first-aid kit
Emergency gear, like flashlights, multi-tools, radios, blankets, and batteries
Important documents copies and a digital backup on a flash drive
Clothing and personal items, like shoes, rain gear, hats, glasses, contacts, and small comfort items
Tools and supplies for repairs, including hammers, nails, duct tape, wrenches, tarps, and plastic sheeting
Pet supplies like medications, blankets, toys, and anything else to keep them calm

Use clear plastic bins to keep your hurricane kits secure, and label each bin with its contents and the date they were packed. Make a detailed list of your supplies, and consider making a digital copy for your records. To maximize your storage space, arrange your items by category, such as medical supplies in one bin and emergency equipment in another.

An emergency equipment kit of a radio, flashlight, batteries, and other tools.

Preparing Your RV With an RV Hurricane Strap Kit

Powerful winds during a hurricane pose a significant threat to RVs. Their tall shape and lightweight structure make them vulnerable to toppling or displacement. An RV hurricane strap kit is a must-have for securing your RV during hurricanes.

These kits come with heavy-duty straps, anchors, and tensioning devices to firmly anchor the RV to the ground. This can help keep it from getting knocked over by strong winds, which could otherwise cause severe damage or result in a total loss.

What To Do in a Hurricane: Safety Tips

If you’re not evacuating during a hurricane, it’s crucial to stay inside, away from windows and doors. Find shelter in a small interior room, bathroom, or closet, preferably on the lowest level of the building. This will help minimize the risk of injury from flying debris or strong winds. Keep your emergency food kit easily accessible and ensure your mobile devices are adequately charged. Use your phones sparingly to conserve battery life and stay updated with the latest weather information.

Once you have official confirmation that leaving the shelter is safe, be cautious of hazards like downed power lines, flood water, and debris. Inspect your property for any signs of damage, avoid entering any unstable structures, and document any damage you find for insurance purposes. If your home is unsafe to live in, contact local authorities or hurricane relief organizations for help.

Keep Your Hurricane Emergency Kits Preserved With Advantage Self Storage

Make sure your hurricane survival and emergency equipment kits are well-maintained and secure with cost-effective self storage solutions from Advantage. Our climate-controlled storage units are ideal for extending the longevity of your emergency kits, ensuring they remain in top condition and easily accessible in a safe and secure location.
Contact us today or find your nearest Advantage Self Storage facility to get started. You can also explore our FAQ page, storage blog, and first-time storage user’s guide for more details on the storage process.