Emergency Supply Checklist

What You Should Pack

Medication, First Aid & Special Needs

Be sure to bring any prescription medications with you (including asthma inhalers).

Ask your doctor about medications that require special storage (ex. insulin).

Have a first aid kit including over-the-counter medications.

Contact lenses and supplies

Extra eye glasses and/or hearing aid batteries

List of prescription medications (including dosages). Include any allergies.

Food & Water

Store at least a five-day supply of non-perishable food.

Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.

Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.

Choose foods your family will eat.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Instant coffee, tea or cocoa
• Powdered drink mixes
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk or powdered milk
• Vitamins
• Food for infants, including bottles for formula

Keep at least a five-day supply of water per person (one gallon of water per person, per day) for drinking and sanitation.

Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water.

Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.

Personal Hygiene Items

Toothbrush & toothpaste, toilet paper, soap & shampoo, etc.
Also pack sufficient supplies for infants in your party (diapers, moist towelettes, etc.)

Money

Because electricity may be unavailable for an extended period of time, making the use of credit cards problematic, keep a sufficient amount of cash or traveler's checks on hand.

If evacuating to a shelter, keep small bills or rolls of quarters on hand for vending machines.

Flashlights & Extra Batteries

Electricity is often out for days at a time.

Battery-Operated/Hand-Cranked Radio

Radio is often the first media outlet to come back after a storm, and official updates and announcements are usually transmitted via radio.

Bedding

Especially if traveling to a shelter, bring enough bedding (sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, sheets, etc.) for each person in your party. Most shelters cannot supply enough cots for all evacuees.

Identification & Important Documents

Driver's License or proper identification. In case of disaster, you may need these to re-enter the Parish to assess your property. Also have copies of your insurance policies available for damage assessment purposes.

Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards

Bank account records and important legal documents

Important papers should be kept in a waterproof, portable container (like a resealable plastic bag).

Clothing & Shoes

Bring extra clothing and at least one pair of comfortable shoes for each person traveling with your party.