Stock up on storm supplies before a hurricane threatens

Posted 5/24/21

As hurricane season approaches (June 1-November 30), all residents and visitors of Okeechobee County are encouraged to get prepared by creating a family hurricane plan

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Stock up on storm supplies before a hurricane threatens

Posted
As hurricane season approaches (June 1-November 30), all residents and visitors of Okeechobee County are encouraged to get prepared by creating a family hurricane plan and assembling a hurricane supply kit. These preparedness steps are the keys to safely weathering a storm, or any other disaster. This eight-week shopping Guide identifies the basic items required to comfortably sustain you and your family for 3 to 5 days following a storm that may leave you without power and potable water.
 
Adding a few items to your regular shopping list each week is the easiest way to complete your Hurricane Kit with minimal impact to your budget. Remember that these items listed are just examples, you need to use your own judgement as to what items you and your families may need during a disaster.
 
Food Groups for Shopping Guide
Bread Group Items – crackers, dry bread sticks, pretzels, Melba toast, rice cakes, breakfast cereal, dry pasta, nutritional bars, bread (keep frozen until needed);
 
Meat Group Items – Canned tuna, chicken/turkey, or meat, soup with beans or meat, sardines, chili with meat or beans, ravioli/spaghetti, ham/pork, stew, Vienna Sausage, peanut butter, commercially prepared beef or turkey jerky;
 
Milk Group Items – shelf stable milk (keep chilled after opening), powdered milk will need extra water), canned and boxed pudding (from the store shelves not the refrigerator section, nutritional drinks (e.g. Ensure or Pediasure);
 
Vegetable Group Items – Canned vegetables, soups of all types, canned 3 bean salads;
 
Fruit Group Items – Canned fruit of all types, dried fruits (raisins, dates, apricots, etc.), and 100% fruit juice;
 
Comfort Foods – Quick energy snacks such as trail mix, granola and fruit bars, cookies, hard candy, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
 
Week 1
One Gallon of Water
One large jar of Peanut Butter
One meat group item
One can ready to eat soup
One Box matches
One vegetable group item
One package paper plates
Flashlight with batteries
One tarpaulin
One utility knife
 
Week 2
One vegetable group item
One fruit group item
One comfort food item
One bottle unscented bleach
One medicine dropper
One package of paper cups
One meat group item
Quick start charcoal, Sterno or propane for grill or camp stove
Pliers
Safety glasses or goggles
 
Week 3
One gallon of water
One jar jelly or jam
One meat group item
One can ready to eat soup
One fruit group item
One hand operated can opener
One package paper napkins
A portable am/fm radio – battery operated or hand crank
Hatchet or axe
Roll of Duct Tape
 
Week 4
One bread group item
One package of paper towels
One vegetable group item
One roll of plastic wrap
One meat group item
One milk group item
One bottle hand sanitizer
One flashlight with batteries
Heavy duty work gloves
First aid kit
 
Week 5
One meat group item
One can of ready to eat soup
One fruit group item
One box large Ziploc storage bags
One vegetable group item
One bread group item
One gallon of water
Extra batteries for radio
First aid kit
ABC Fire extinguisher
 
Week 6
One meat group item
One bread group item
One box sanitary wipes
One roll heavy aluminum foil
One package paper bowls
One meat group item
Assorted nails
One flashlight with batteries
Hard line telephone with jack (if you have a land line telephone make sure you have a phone that is not cordless)
 
Week 7
One meat group item
One can ready to eat soup
One box cereal
One milk group item
One comfort group item
One vegetable group item
Extra batteries for flashlights
Hammer
First aid kit
 
Week 8
One gallon of water
One vegetable group item
One meat group item
One box heavy duty garbage bags
One package plastic eating utensils
One package of paper towels
Flashlight with batteries
Waterproof portable plastic container with lid for hurricane kit and important papers
 
Note: In a disaster, there is enough stress without your family having to eat foods they don’t like. Pick foods based on your family’s needs and wants. Whenever possible pick foods that are low in salt, and packed in water.
 
Be sure to rotate your supplies every 6 months to a year. Be sure to purchase enough supplies for your whole household.

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