The 5 Most Missed Items You Need in Your Hurricane Kit

Birth certificates, marriage certificates, deeds, passports, financial papers, insurance information, and more are important documents that are better off not reduced to ash or waterlogged mush.

Depending on what the aftermath looks like, you may need all of these documents to begin putting your property back together. By keeping these documents in a weather-proof bag, either in your hurricane kit or nearby, you can ensure you’re ready for anything after the hurricane blows away.

A small hatchet or hand ax can be invaluable in an emergency situation. Whether you need to remove debris in order to access the road or get yourself out of a tight spot, a hand-ax can give you a leg up after the hurricane has passed.

Even before the pandemic, masks were a good idea. Hurricanes can kick up all kinds of noxious fumes and materials, including potentially hazardous spores that can make you and your family sick. Store some medical masks, N95, or KN95 masks in your hurricane kit so you can always protect yourself and your family from poor-quality air.

Plastic bags, zip-lock bags, garbage bags, and recycling bags are a great tool during a disaster. You can use them to provide a quick dry spot, store things drily, or store and dispose of waste. Keeping an extra few in your hurricane kit will help prepare you for anything.

This might seem like it’s less important than extra batteries, food, and water, but post-hurricane times are a prime time for scam artists. In the past, many hurricane survivors have been targeted by “contractors” claiming there’s damage to their home with a big price tag attached. These contractors quote an extravagant amount, demand a down payment, and then disappear, never to be seen again.

By keeping a list of qualified, licensed contractors handy, you can cross-reference any contractor before they get to work on your home to make sure you’re not getting fleeced. This also comes in useful if you are unlucky enough to experience damage to your home. Having a list ready to go so, you can beat the rush might get your home up and running faster.

No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios and damaged homes. But for people who live in hurricane-prone areas, they have to think about them at some point or another. It’s better to think about it sooner when your feet are dry, and it’s easy to access essentials than after a storm.

For more details on how you can be prepared for a big storm, visit our hurricane preparation page here.