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Hurricane Irma report #2: Do you have the recommended items on FEMA’s emergency supply list?

Cover of the 2014 edition of the FEMA Emergency Supply List documentCover of the 2014 edition of the FEMA Emergency Supply List document

The latest edition (2014) of the FEMA Emergency Supply List recommends the following items for a basic emergency supply kit:

  • At least one gallon of water per person per day (people who go to Burning Man already know this by heart) for at least 3 days, for drinking and sanitation.
  • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
  • A radio, either battery or hand crank-powered, and extra batteries. If you have one of those NOAA weather radios with a tone alert, even better.
  • Flashlight with extra batteries (and if its battery receptacles are screwed up, fix them!).
  • First aid kit.
  • Whistle to signal for help.
  • Dust mask, to filter contaminated air.
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
  • Manual can opener for canned goods.
  • Local maps.

It also recommends these additional items, which you may or may not need, depending on your situation:

  • Prescription medications and glasses.
  • Infant formula and diapers.
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet.
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
  • Cash. (The guide also recommends traveler’s checks, but have you ever tried using one recently? Nobody knows what to do with them anymore.)
  • Sleeping bag or a blanket for each person.
  • Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. This is no time to do the Florida “shorts and flip-flops” thing.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Matches in a waterproof container.
  • Personal hygiene items.
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels.
  • Paper and pencil.
  • Books, games, puzzles, and other activities. (The guide recommends these for children, but why should they have all the fun?)

Since this post is about lists, and since I want to include a song on every Hurricane Irma Report, here’s Hall and Oates:

Click here to see all articles tagged with “Hurricane Irma Report”.

Joey deVilla

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