Be Prepared With The Basic Hurricane Supply Kit

We are right in the height of the 2016 hurricane season, and with tropical waves, depressions and storms popping up it seems almost every week, residents of the Gulf Coast should be prepared with basic supply kits.

If you have lived on the Gulf Coast or, more importantly, in Louisiana for any length of time, you know that the chance of being hit by a hurricane is always there. Residents should always have a plan in place, and have general supplies handy just in case we were to get hit by a hurricane.

Remember Katrina, Rita, and Ike? Yep, it has happened before, and most likely will happen again in our lifetime.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a basic hurricane supply kit you should have handy at your home, just in case we have to prepare for a bad storm.

Here are some of the basics:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and 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 food

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

So please be prepared and have a plan of action, just in case you have to evacuate.