As someone (from the USA) who survived a severe hurricane, if there is one piece of advice I could give, PLEASE listen to any evacuation orders. This goes for voluntary and mandatory, but ESPECIALLY mandatory. If you can't get outside the evacuation zone, even just getting closer to the boundary is better than nothing.
If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and you stay, no one (no emergency services) will be coming to save you. You will have to hunker down for however long the storm lasts.
The time to prepare for evacuation is as soon as you know you're under evacuation order, at LEAST. Do NOT delay. You don't want to be like my family who only left once the flood began (thanks, dad). Not only did we have to hurry to pack, we weren't able to prepare. At that, here are some good things to do in a hurricane:
Have a radio - an emergency crank radio is good, since it uses mechanical energy. We also had walkie talkies.
Have a good first aid kit, especially if you cant get out.
Unplug anything that you absolutely do not need while home, unplug everything before you leave. We didn't do this and my house almost caught fire (fridge outlet) - only the flood put it out.
Have a working fire alarm, charge flashlights and devices. Make sure you also have candles and lighters, too.
Be VERY careful if you must wade or drive in flood water. There will be debris, there will be down power lines. It is deeper than it looks.
Stock up on water and nonperishable food. Eat your perishable foods now. Use coolers for any excess. MREs are good to have, you can order them online.
Put belongings you can't take with you as high up in your house as you can - prioritize things that cannot be easily/emotionally replaced. Leave space for you to go high up too, if you're staying.
Use sand bags (or DIY alternatives) as flood barriers. Tie or tarp down everything you can, and don't keep it in a wide open area.
Close windows, and stay away from them. You really don't want to be there when something comes flying.
This is all I can think of for now, others feel free to add more or correct me. Remember, your life is more important than objects. Losing your life is worse than losing everything but your life. Stay safe, and stay alive.
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Living along the Gulf Coast, my kids and I know firsthand how unpredictable and dangerous hurricane season can be. With forecasts predicting an especially active season this year, being prepared is more important than ever.
While many families take steps to protect themselves, pets are often left behind during emergencies, forced to endure the terror of massive storms because their owners weren’t prepared to evacuate with them or because local resources couldn’t accommodate them.
Preparing in advance is crucial for keeping your family—including your pets—together and reducing the risk of abandoning them during an emergency.
Here is our simple guide to creating a Hurricane Preparedness Kit for your cats and dogs and tips on training your pets to be ready to go immediately.
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Hurricane Preparedness Kit
for Cats and Dogs
A well-stocked Hurricane Preparedness Kit is essential for ensuring the safety and comfort of your pets during a storm. Here’s what to include:
Emergency Contact Information
ID Tags
Ensure collars have up-to-date ID tags with contact details and any medical information.
Emergency Contact List
Keep phone numbers for your vet, local animal shelters, and emergency contacts.
Basic Supplies
Food & Water
Pack 3-7 days' worth of food and bottled water for each pet. A portable water filter is also helpful for extended emergencies.
Portable Bowls
Collapsible or travel bowls for easy feeding and watering.
Can Opener
Include a manual can opener for canned food.
Medications & Health Supplies
Medication
Please ensure you have a minimum 7-14 day supply of prescribed medications.
First Aid Kit
Your pet first aid kit should include antiseptic wipes, gauze, bandages, tweezers, and a thermometer suitable for cats and dogs.
Flea & Tick Prevention
Have prevention supplies on hand. (We carry flea-killing medication and dewormer as well.)
Comfort Items
Favorite Toys or Treats
Familiar items provide comfort during stressful situations. Invest in a second version of your dog's favorite squeaky duck or tennis ball (with single toss manual or automatic launcher). Don't forget the catnip and catnip toys for cats!
Blanket or Bed
A portable, waterproof blanket or foldable pet bed.
Safety Gear
Leash & Harness
Pack a sturdy leash and harness for your dogs and cats and ensure they’re accustomed to them.
Collar
Ensure collars are well-fitted with ID tags. Consider a GPS tracking device to help keep track of your pet, just in case.
Cleaning Supplies
Litter & Litter Box
Pack enough litter for at least a week and a portable or collapsible litter box for cats.
Waste Bags
For cleaning up after dogs.
Puppy Pads
Useful for indoor bathroom needs.
Travel Gear
Carrier or Crate
A sturdy, well-ventilated carrier or crate for safe transport.
Seat Cover
Keep your vehicle clean with a seat cover during travel.
Seatbelt Clip
Ensure your pet's safety even if you opt not to use a carrier, crate, or backpack. Humans wear seat belts for our protection in case of an accident, your pet should too.
Dog Runner/Tie Out System
Let your dogs or cats stretch their legs and get some energy out in a safe, controlled way. We use carabiners or bull snaps to change the length of the line and there are tree protectors.
Medical Records
Vaccination Records
Keep copies of vaccination records and other necessary medical documents for each pet.
Even if your vet is part of a more extensive network like Banfield or is great about sharing their records when needed, having copies on hand can save time during a medical emergency. They can also help when local authorities or pet-friendly accommodations need access to specific health and vaccination information.
Vet’s Contact Information
Have your vet’s contact info readily accessible.
Identification
Microchip Info
Ensure your pets are microchipped and the registration is up-to-date.
Recent Photo
A current photo of each pet in case you need to post lost pet notices.
Backup Power
Portable Charger
Keep a charger handy for essential electronics like phones or GPS trackers.
Hydration & Food Accessories
Portable Water Filter
Useful for extended emergencies.
Freeze-Dried Food
Lightweight, long-lasting food option.
Additional Items
Carrier Cover
Helps to calm pets during transport. You can buy a custom cover or use a towel. [Please ensure your pet can still breathe fresh air.]
Calming Products
Pheromone diffusers and calming treats to reduce stress are available for dogs and cats. Our multi-cat household has had great success with Feliway diffuser plugins.
Pet Raincoat
Keep dogs dry during heavy rain. Smaller dog raincoats can be used for cats.
Cooling Bandana, Vest, and/or Mat
Helps manage body heat in hot, humid conditions. In a pinch, you can use ice packs stuffed into spare pillowcases.
Rechargeable USB Fan
To ensure your pet gets access to continuous air flow, consider investing in a rechargeable USB fan. We prefer the clip-on kind like our mini Gaiatop because they fit almost anywhere and are easily charged with a standard USB C but they come in larger sizes and with different bases. The 8" Koonie is used by several vanlife YouTubers. You can also choose a fan that uses a battery pack that is interchangeable with your cordless tools and lawn gear.
Packaging Tips
Waterproof Bag or Container
Store all items in a waterproof bag or container (dry bag) and place it inside or on top of one of the carriers. In an emergency, this will make everything grab and go.
For pets with special needs, consider using a carabiner to attach a smaller dry bag with pet-specific items to their carrier or backpack.
This also works well for multi-pet households if more than one family member will be helping with pet evacuation as each dry bag can contain all the pet related items for the pets each family member will be responsible for.
Easy Access
Keep the kit in a readily accessible place for quick grab-and-go and make sure every family member knows where these items are, how to access them, and how to use them.
Training Your Pets for Emergency Situations
Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies—it’s also about training your pets to stay calm and respond to commands during an emergency. This is true for both dogs and cats.
Here’s how:
Practice Evacuation Drills
Regularly practice quickly getting your pets into their carriers or crates. Reward them with treats and praise to create positive associations.
Go Bag Familiarity
You can get your pets used to their emergency kits by slowly introducing them to the items. Let them sniff and explore the carriers, leashes, and other gear.
Command Training
Teach basic commands like “come,” “stay,” and “shh” to help maintain control in a chaotic situation. Practice these commands calmly so your pets are more likely to respond during an emergency.
Stay Calm
Pets often mirror our emotions. Take a few deep breaths, remember you've been preparing, and consider your circumstances. What do you know? What do you have? What can you do? If you can stay calm during an evacuation, your pets are likelier to remain calm, too. Your confidence will help them feel safer and encourage them to self-regulate, just like you did.
No family member left behind.
Preparing for hurricane season is about more than just securing your home—it’s about ensuring the safety and comfort of every family member, including your pets.
By creating a Hurricane Preparedness Kit and training your pets for emergencies, you can keep your family together and reduce the stress and chaos of a storm.
Stay safe, be prepared, and protect the ones you love.
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