houston Hurricane Plan - checklists and tips

Now is the time to review a good hurricane preparation checklist. .Click here for one example. Start stocking up on things every week when you go to the store. It’s much easier and affordable to get a few things each week than getting every single thing all at once. For example, when Kroger has water or toilet paper on sale, I'm stocking up (and earning fuel points!).

In addition to these checklists, here are some further recommendations from personal experience…

1. Large 30 or 33 gallon lawn/leaf bags. You can not only use these for cleaning up debris after the storm, but also use as protection in case a window is damaged, and even seal off rooms or use as a bandaid for roof damage. If you have a lot of property or trees, consider buying several boxes.

2. Cleaning supplies (Window Cleaner, Bleach, Dish Soap, Broom, Dust Pan, Rake, Paper Towels).

3. Duct tape. Cause it fixes everything! And, it doesn't have to be boring.  You might be going through a storm, but at least your preps and/or repairs will be cute!

4. A portable generator if you can afford it. If you do get one, you’ll need gas or propane to run it, oil (refer to the owner’s manual for the specific type yours takes), and heavy duty extension cords. There are different types of generators, from ones that can power just a couple of small appliances to ones that can supply power to your whole home with natural gas. Be mindful about what your needs are.

5. Portable air conditioners or window units, if you have a generator. If you can’t afford these, try and get some fans to circulate the air.

6. Another way to charge your cell phone. This could be a spare charged battery, a solar powered charger, a car charger, or a combination. I’d suggest one for each cell phone in your household.  I found this Beeshop Portable Charger on Amazon, which includes 4 built in cables to charge Androids and iPhones.  It also has a digital display letting you know how much juice ithas!

7. Flashlights – pay attention to this one – have at least one for each family member, AND the batteries that go with them. Make sure you get EXTRA batteries!!  In addition to flashlights, I personally love the little portable lanterns - you can keep them in rooms where they can stay put and not get lost.  These Lichamp lanterns come in different colors AND they are a 4 pack, for less than $30!

8. Antenna for your TV - if you have a generator, you can run your TV – but your cable/satellite may not work. An antenna for your TV will provide access to news and weather reports, as well as entertainment after the storm.  I found this Indoor Antenna with great reviews, up to 2200 miles reception with signal booster, for less than $50.

9. Paper plates/bowls/cups and plastic ware. The amount you get should be enough for several days for all of your household. This will vary if you are single, versus a family of 6, versus a family of 6 with guests.

10. Toilet paper!

11. First Aid. Please don’t just get a first aid kit. While those have their usefulness, what does your family usually need? Over the counter pain relievers, nausea/diarrhea relief, bandages, allergy meds…make sure you are stocked up.

When to do things is also important when prepping for a hurricane or storm.  Head over to our Prepping Timeline to see when I like to take care of my preps.