How to Build a Severe
Weather Emergency Kit
The standard advice is "72 hours of self-sufficiency." Here's what that actually means in physical items, without the padding that makes most checklists impossible to finish.
Water and Food
Water
1 gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days — more if you have pets. Store in sealed containers, replace every 6 months.
Food
3 days of non-perishable food that doesn't need cooking — canned goods, protein bars, peanut butter, crackers. Include a manual can opener; it's the item people forget most.
Power and Communication
Flashlight and Batteries
One flashlight per household member, plus spare batteries. Skip candles where possible — they're a leading cause of post-storm house fires.
Portable Power Bank
Keep at least one fully charged at all times, not just when a storm is forecast. Your phone is your alert system, flashlight, and communication line all at once — it's the single most important thing to keep powered.
NOAA Weather Radio (Optional but Useful)
Works when cell towers and internet don't. Not required if your phone stays charged and you have a reliable alert app, but a reasonable backup for areas with unreliable service. Full breakdown →
First Aid and Medications
First Aid Kit
Bandages, gauze, antiseptic, pain relievers, tweezers. A basic pre-made kit covers this — check the expiration dates once a year.
Prescription Medications
At least a 7-day supply, kept with your kit or easy to grab on the way out the door. This is the item most commonly left behind in an evacuation.
Documents and Cash
Keep copies of ID, insurance policies, and medical information in a waterproof bag or a cloud folder you can access from your phone. Include some cash in small bills — card readers and ATMs don't work without power.
Don't Forget Pets and Kids
For Pets
3 days of pet food, a spare leash or carrier, any medications, and a recent photo in case you're separated. Many emergency shelters won't take pets without proof of vaccination — keep those records with your kit.
For Kids
A comfort item, any needed formula or diapers, and a card in their pocket or backpack with your name and phone number — useful if you get separated during a chaotic evacuation.
Where to Actually Keep It
A kit that's scattered across the house isn't a kit — it's a scavenger hunt during an emergency. Store everything in one clearly labeled, easy-to-carry container (a duffel bag or plastic tote) somewhere you can grab it on the way out: a hall closet, mudroom, or by the door to your garage. If you have a designated tornado safe room, keep a smaller version of the kit there too, since you may not have time to grab the main one on your way to shelter.
Know Before It Hits
None of this matters if you don't know a storm is coming in time to use it. StormCast checks the NWS alert feed every 30 seconds and pushes a notification the moment a warning is issued for your location.
