The South Florida Hurricane Season Closeout Checklist

1. Water

The supply that runs out first, every time.

Municipal water can be shut off, contaminated, or pressurized below safe levels after a major storm. Even undamaged neighborhoods can remain under boil-water notices for days.

• One gallon of drinking water per person, per day—seven days minimumFor a family of four, that means 28 gallons in the closet before a storm watch is issued. This supply covers drinking and basic hygiene.
• Water purification tablets or a personal filterKeep a backup method available if your stored water runs out. Follow the product instructions and official local guidance before treating or consuming questionable water.
• Two empty five-gallon containersFill these and the bathtub before landfall for toilet flushing and washing. Once the water stops, the opportunity to fill them is gone.
• One gallon of water per pet, per dayDogs and cats can dehydrate quickly in a Florida home without air conditioning. Their supply is easy to overlook until several days into an outage.
• One gallon of regular, unscented household bleachUseful for surface sanitation and emergency water treatment when public health officials direct it. Check the bleach concentration and follow current CDC, EPA, or local emergency-management instructions; scented and splash-less products contain additives and should not be used to treat drinking water.

2. Food

Seven days, no cooking, no refrigeration.

Plan as if the power is off, cooking fuel is unavailable, and refrigerated food cannot be relied on. Choose shelf-stable items that require little or no preparation and can travel if you evacuate.

• Canned tuna, chicken, beans, and soupShelf-stable protein that requires no refrigeration. Choose pop-top cans where possible.
• Manual can openerOne of the easiest hurricane supplies to forget—and the item that makes the rest of your canned food usable.
• One large jar of peanut butterCalorie-dense, easy to serve, and suitable for most ages without cooking.
• Four cartons of shelf-stable UHT milkUseful for coffee, cereal, and children. Unopened cartons can remain shelf-stable for months.
• One box of energy or granola bars per personPortable calories for a sudden evacuation or the hours when no one wants to prepare another meal.
• Crackers, dried fruit, and nutsSealed snacks help maintain energy and morale while keeping pests out during storage.
• Electrolyte powder or tabletsHot-weather cleanup can lead to heavy sweating. Electrolytes supplement water during strenuous work in South Florida heat.
• Paper plates, disposable utensils, and paper cupsWhen water is rationed, disposable place settings reduce the amount used for washing dishes.

3. Power and Light

How you stay informed when the grid goes quiet.

A major hurricane can leave some homes without power for days or weeks. Prepare for the longer end of that range rather than the best-case scenario.

• One LED lantern for every room you will occupyLanterns illuminate an entire room without the fire risk of candles and can run for days on batteries.
• One headlamp per personHands-free light is invaluable for cleanup, food preparation, repairs, and middle-of-the-night checks.
• A flashlight at every bedsideIf you wake to a leak or unfamiliar noise, the light should be within reach rather than in a closet down the hall.
• Spare AA, AAA, and D batteriesStock the sizes required by the equipment you actually own, and rotate aging batteries each spring.
• A portable power bank rated at 20,000 mAh or moreYour phone becomes your radio, map, insurance camera, and family lifeline. A large battery bank can recharge it several times.
• A hand-crank or solar NOAA weather radioWhen cellular service and local broadcasts fail, NOAA Weather Radio is designed to remain available.
• A pack of glow sticksBattery-free ambient light can mark exits, stair edges, and bathroom doors without an open flame.
• Spare USB-C and Lightning charging cablesCables are inexpensive, easy to damage, and easy to lose. Keep backups for the devices in your household.
• A 12V car USB chargerOnce conditions are safe, your vehicle can recharge phones, lanterns, and battery packs.
• A battery-powered or hand-crank fanMoving air can make a hot home more tolerable, improve sleep, and reduce heat stress when air conditioning is unavailable.

4. First Aid and Medications

For the first 72 hours, be ready to handle minor injuries at home.

Hospitals prioritize life-threatening emergencies after a major storm, while urgent-care centers may close or operate on limited power. Your supplies should cover routine cuts, discomfort, and household medical needs.

• A comprehensive first aid kitLook for bandages, antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, butterfly closures, scissors, tweezers, and a thermometer—closer to a hiking kit than a basic box of adhesive strips.
• A 14-day supply of every prescriptionPharmacies and supply chains may be interrupted. Ask about eligible early refills when a storm threatens.
• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and antacidsStock appropriate adult and child formulations for the common issues caused by stress, heat, dehydration, and unfamiliar food.
• Insect repellent containing 25% DEET or an appropriate alternativeStanding water can quickly increase mosquito activity after a storm. Follow label instructions, especially when applying repellent to children.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higherPost-storm cleanup often means spending long days outside without an air-conditioned break.
• A box of N95 masksMold spores and debris dust can cause respiratory problems during cleanup, particularly inside a wet building.
• Spare reading glassesMedication directions, electrical-panel labels, and battery markings become difficult to read when your everyday glasses are missing.
• A spare EpiPen, inhaler, or other emergency-use prescriptionIf someone relies on one, keep an approved backup in the closet and monitor its expiration date.

5. Tools, Repair, and Safety

The first repair is almost always temporary.

Emergency tarps, contractors, and permanent repairs may take time to arrive. Your hurricane closet should cover the period between the wind dying down and professional help becoming available.

• Two pairs of leather work glovesDebris can contain nails, broken glass, and jagged metal. Leather holds up better than lightweight gardening or disposable gloves.
• A multi-toolKeep one versatile tool in the closet so it does not become inaccessible inside a garage toolbox.
• One box of heavy-duty contractor bagsUse them to contain wet materials, line a leaking area, cover broken openings from inside, or haul debris.
• Two rolls of duct tapeUseful for temporary patches on tarps, screens, plumbing, shoes, and household items.
• Two 20-by-30-foot tarpsRoof or opening damage needs quick protection before the next rainstorm causes additional loss.
• Bungee cords and 100 feet of paracordSecure tarps, bundle debris, or create a temporary clothesline.
• One whistle per personA whistle carries farther and lasts longer than a voice. Three short blasts are widely recognized as a distress signal.
• An ABC-rated fire extinguisherKeep one in the hurricane closet and another in the kitchen. Make sure everyone knows where they are and how to use them.
• A portable battery-powered carbon monoxide detectorGenerator exhaust can enter a home even when the generator is outside. Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, or near doors, windows, or vents.
• Closed-toe shoes for every household memberPre-pack shoes for walking through glass, nails, and storm debris. Recheck children’s sizes every year.

6. Documents and Money

One waterproof pouch that leaves with you during any evacuation.

Insurance and assistance move faster when policy numbers, ownership records, and photographs are ready. Do not leave the only copies in a filing cabinet that could get wet.

• A waterproof document pouch or dry bagStore the items below together in one container that lives in the closet and leaves the house with you.
• Homeowners, flood, auto, life, and umbrella insurance informationInclude policy numbers, declarations pages, claim instructions, and agent or adjuster contact details.
• A photo and video inventory of every roomNarrate brands and model numbers for valuable items. Save the files to the cloud and to a drive stored in the document pouch.
• Copies of IDs, passports, and Social Security cardsThese can be needed for shelters, disaster assistance, and replacement of lost originals. Refresh fading copies periodically.
• Copies of the property deed, mortgage statement, and vehicle titlesKeep originals in their secure location and copies in the evacuation pouch.
• Medical records and a prescription listThese help an unfamiliar pharmacy or emergency department understand your medications and history quickly.
• At least $300 in small billsATMs and card readers may be unavailable. Smaller bills are easier to use when a business cannot make change.
• A printed contact listInclude family, doctors, veterinarians, insurance contacts, property managers, pharmacies, and schools in case your phone or cloud contacts are inaccessible.

7. Sanitation and Hygiene

The small comforts that keep a household functioning.

Trash collection may stop and water may need to be rationed. The least glamorous items in the closet are often the ones households appreciate most after several days.

• More toilet paper than you think you will needIt disappears from shelves quickly and costs little to store in reserve.
• Baby wipes and adult wet wipesUseful for bathing and cleaning hands when running water is limited.
• Several bottles of hand sanitizerPlace them near eating, bathroom, and entry areas when normal handwashing is not consistently available.
• Feminine hygiene productsPlan for a full cycle plus a buffer for every household member who may need them.
• Sealed travel-size toiletriesKeep toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant ready if you evacuate to a shelter, hotel, or relative’s home.
• Small scented trash bagsSealing household waste helps keep indoor spaces livable when collection is delayed in hot weather.

8. Comfort, Pets, and People

Prepare for the hours between the wind and the all-clear.

Most hurricane supplies are intended for after the storm. This section supports the household during it—especially children, pets, and anyone who relies on a predictable routine.

• Books, card decks, and board gamesScreen-free activities reduce household stress and help pass long hours without power. Choose games that work by lantern light.
• A small dedicated flashlight for each childA simple light they can operate themselves can reduce anxiety during true darkness.
• One sealed lightweight blanket per personShelters may be cold, while humid homes can feel clammy overnight even without air conditioning.
• One full change of clothes per personSeal each set in a zip-top bag so it remains dry through leaks or flooding.
• Seven days of sealed pet foodPet supplies also disappear before storms. Store food in a pest-resistant container during the off-season.
• Pet vaccination recordsKeep copies in the document pouch because shelters and boarding facilities may require them.
• A pet carrier, leash, and current ID tagsEvacuation orders can come quickly. Keep transportation and restraint equipment ready.
• A 14-day supply of pet medicationsVeterinary offices and pharmacies may close or face delays after a storm.
• Recent photos of each pet with a household memberPhotos help prove ownership and create effective lost-pet notices if an animal becomes separated.

Closing a Seasonal Home Before Hurricane Season

For snowbirds and seasonal residents, the hurricane closet matters more, not less. An unattended home during a storm is a worst-case scenario. Complete these steps during the week before you leave South Florida:

• Top off and review the hurricane closetReplace expired supplies, batteries, medications, and damaged equipment.
• Photograph and video every roomUpload the current inventory to secure cloud storage.
• Share insurance information with your property managerMake sure the person responsible for the home can locate policies and claim instructions.
• Leave a key with a trusted local contactConfirm who may enter the property after a storm and how they should reach you.
• Set the air conditioner to 78°F with the fan on autoAvoid leaving the fan in the continuous “on” position, which can increase indoor humidity.
• Shut off the main water valveConfirm that doing so is appropriate for your home’s systems and any equipment that requires water.
• Unplug nonessential electronics and appliancesReduce exposure to power surges while keeping essential systems operating.
• Confirm protection for every openingVerify that shutters or impact-rated glass cover each window and exterior door.