Hurricane Preparedness Supplies for Your Pantry

Are you concerned about getting ready before a hurricane threatens or strikes your area?

While there are many things that you need to do to secure your home, it's also essential to make sure that you have a sufficient supply of non-perishable food products on hand.

Following a hurricane, you could find yourself without electricity for an extended period of time. This means that you won't be able to keep food refrigerated or frozen or use your microwave or stove. Even if your stove is gas, there are safety concerns associated with using it after a hurricane, so you shouldn't use it unless given the all clear by the gas company in your area.

When a hurricane is headed your way, head to the store early to stock up on the supplies you need. If you wait until the last minute, you're likely to faced depleted hurricane preparedness supplies and long lines.

Because of the limitations associated with cooking and storing food following a hurricane, it's important to stock your pantry with single meal serving sizes of non-perishable foods. It's important to keep a stock of canned goods on hand, along with a non-electric can opener.

You may want to consider purchasing some or all of the following items to stock your pantry for hurricane season.

Remember: Don't purchase food that your family won't eat under normal circumstances. After all, you certainly want to be able to use the supplies you have on hand at some point even if a storm doesn't strike.

• Beef Stew (Dinty Moore or other canned variety)
• Bottled water, juice, etc.
• Canned soup
• Cereal (that can be eaten straight from the box)
• Chips
• Crackers
• Dried Fruit
• Granola Bars
• Meal Replacement Bars
• Meal Replacement Shakes (canned)
• Nuts
• Peanut Butter
• Ravioli
• Soda
• Tuna

Single service condiment packets (save extra mayo, mustard, ketchup packets from takeout for this purpose)

Cooking Supplies

To make sure that you'll be able to make use of the food that is already in your refrigerator or freezer when a hurricane strikes, you'll want to make sure that you have food preparation equipment on hand that you can use following a storm. If you have a charcoal grill, be sure to buy charcoal and lighter fluid when purchasing your hurricane preparedness supplies. If you have a gas grill, add a few propane tanks to your shopping list.

If you live in a hurricane prone area, you may want to consider investing in a camp stove. It's a good idea to choose a dual fuel model, because there's no way to be sure what the fuel situation might be like following a major storm. It's also important to keep disposable plates, cups, and utensils on hand because the water supply is often unsafe to use for consumption or washing dishes following a storm.

Remember Your Pets

When stocking up on food for your family to eat after a hurricane, don't forget to stock up on canned or dried food for your pets as well. Avoid purchasing pet food that requires water to be added when you're getting prepared for a hurricane.

Additional Ideas?

Feel free to add your own suggestions for preparing your pantry for hurricane season in the comments section below. Let us know what kinds of hurricane preparedness supplies you keep on hand in your own pantry.