Stock the Pantry for Hurricane Season
When spring starts to turn to summer, it's time to think about getting prepared for hurricane season if you live along the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic seaboard, or other area that is often plagued by hurricane warnings and hit.
If you live in a region where hurricanes are a fact of life, it is certainly advisable to be mindful of the possibility of this type of severe weather and take steps to be prepared long before watches and warnings are issued. While it can be frustrating to spend time, energy, and money planning for a storm when there is so much uncertainty, being prepared for a hurricane is always better than the alternative.
When it comes to stocking the pantry for hurricane season it's certainly better to be safe than sorry. Putting off this important step in hurricane preparedness can mean that you find yourself facing a severe weather situation without a sufficient quantity of supplies. After all, by the time a hurricane warning is issued and landfall looks certain, there's a good chance that the items you need to purchase will be gone from the shelves of every store in your area.
Suggestions for a Well Stocked Pantry for Hurricane Season
- Beef Jerky
- Bread
- Bottled Water
- Canned Fruit
- Canned soup
- Canned Stew
- Cheese and Cracker Sandwiches
- Chips
- Crackers
- Dry Cereal
- Granola Bars
- Nuts
- Oatmeal (instant)
- Peanut Butter
- Ravioli
- Tuna Fish
- Condiments – shelf stable individual packets
- Other shelf-stable, nutritious food items
Hurricane Preparation Food Storage Tips
Consider storing bottled water in the freezer. When the power goes off, the frozen water will help keep the food items in the freezer cold longer. When the water melts, you will be able to enjoy cold, safe drinking water even if you don't have access to ice or electricity.
Keep a few loaves of bread in the freezer during hurricane season. One the power goes out, the bread will start to thaw, but will at least be fresh for a bit longer than what you had in the breadbox when the storm hit.
Cooking After a Hurricane
If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, consider investing in a Coleman stove. Ideally, purchase a dual fuel model that will allow you to cook with Coleman fuel or unleaded gasoline. It's also a good idea to have a gas or charcoal grill. Before the storm, make sure that you have sufficient fuel for whatever equipment you have that will provide you with the ability to cook without access to electricity or natural gas for a period of time.