Storm Survival Guide: Part 1 - Your Essential Pre-Storm Checklist 🪬

This two-part guide provides a comprehensive checklist of critical, important, and optional steps to ensure you’re fully prepared before any type of storm hits.

TL;DR — Top 5 Storm Prep Steps

Top 5 Do’s

💧 Water: Fill every container you have with water.
📞 Contacts: Make a list of emergency contacts and share it with family.
⛑️ Supplies: Gather first-aid kits, medications, and flashlights with batteries.
☂️ Protect Home: Clear gutters, secure valuables, and ready for leaks.
🪪 Documents: Put important documents in a waterproof bag and take photos of them.

Top 5 Don’ts

❌ Don’t: Wait until the last minute. Prepare early.
❌ Don’t: Rely only on your cell phone for info.
❌ Don’t: Plan to cook elaborate meals if power is out.
❌ Don’t: Drive during the storm unless it is essential.
❌ Don’t: Run your car in a garage to keep warm/cool.

1. Understanding the Threat and Initial Actions

Before a storm arrives, it is crucial to have a plan.

🪫 Power Outage Preparedness

Power outages are often the first, most widespread, and most impactful disruption during a storm. Loss of power cripples communication, limits access to vital information, compromises safety measures (lighting, medical equipment), and impacts food preservation. Knowing how to report an outage and access your electric company’s outage updates is your lifeline to the outside world.

This information dictates how you’ll use your resources, make decisions about evacuation, and understand the severity and duration of the storm’s impact. Therefore:

Find the phone number to report power outages to your electric company.
Find their website or app where they show outage maps. Bookmark this on your phone or other devices.

🤝 Family Meeting

Get everyone in your house together. Discuss who will do what, what to do first, and make sure everyone knows where emergency supplies are located. Establish an out-of-area contact person everyone can check in with.

2. Critical Preparations 🪬: Prioritize these for immediate safety!

To ensure your immediate safety during a storm, these are the most critical preparations.

🫥 Medications

Make sure you have enough of your prescription medicines to last for at least a week. Refill them now if needed. Also, consider any over-the-counter medications you might need:

Pain relievers
Cold & Flu medicine
Antihistamines (if you have allergies)

🫙 Emergency Water

Water service may be disrupted during a storm. Fill up every bathtub, sink, and container you have with water. You’ll need this for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. Also, consider filling some:

Large water jugs
Coolers

🪪 Important Documents

To safeguard essential information, gather important documents like IDs, insurance policies, and medical information. Keep them in a waterproof bag or container. Consider taking photos of these documents and storing them electronically in a secure cloud service.

🧯 Emergency Kit Check

Be ready for any eventuality by ensuring your emergency kit is well-stocked and accessible. This should include:

Flashlight
Extra batteries (various sizes)
Whistle
Multi-tool
Spare light bulbs (various sizes)

💸 Cash on Hand

In case electronic payment systems are down, withdraw some cash from the ATM. If the power goes out, credit card machines might not work.

🧳 Secure Valuables:

Inside the House: Place jewelry, small electronics, and important documents in a fireproof and waterproof safe or lockbox. If you don’t have a safe, consider a well-hidden, secure location.
On Your Property: If you have expensive equipment or tools in a shed or garage, make sure they are locked and secured. Consider covering them with tarps for added protection.

❌ Don’t: Leave valuables visible in your car. Take them inside or secure them in your trunk out of sight.

🪲 Tracking Devices

For added peace of mind, if you have tracking devices like Apple AirTags or similar, attach them to valuable items to help you locate them if they get misplaced:

Keys
Wallets
Emergency kit

3. Important Preparations: Readiness and Comfort.

To significantly enhance your readiness and comfort during a storm, consider these important preparations.

🫑 Food for a Week

To avoid food shortages, buy enough food that doesn’t need to be cooked and won’t spoil quickly. Get enough for everyone in your house for at least a week. Also, consider having some comfort foods on hand to help boost morale during a stressful situation. Think:

Canned goods (soups, vegetables, fruits, meats)
Protein bars
Nuts and seeds
Dried fruit
Peanut butter
Whole-grain crackers

❌ Don’t: Plan elaborate meals. Focus on simple, non-perishable food.

🫕 Cooking Without Power

If the power goes out, you’ll need a way to cook. Have a plan for alternative cooking methods.

A propane grill is good, but only use it outside.
If you have one, make sure you also get extra propane.
A camp stove is another option.

❌ Don’t: Use grills (BBQs) or generators indoors. They produce carbon monoxide.

🥶 Cooling/Freezing

Prepare for potential power outages and their impact on refrigeration.

Ice Up Your Freezer: Fill empty space in your freezer with water bottles or plastic bags filled with water and freeze them. If you lose power, the ice will help keep your food frozen longer.
Coolers: Have coolers available to store essential refrigerated items if the power goes out.

❌ Don’t: Open the fridge or freezer unless necessary.

⛑️ First-Aid Kit

Ensure your first-aid kit is well-stocked to handle minor injuries. Check to make sure it has:

Bandages of various sizes
Antiseptic wipes
Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
Antihistamine tablets
Anti-diarrheal medication
Any personal medications
Sunscreen (especially important in tropical storms)
Insect repellent

🪟 Protect Windows

To prevent window damage from high winds, take preventative measures.

If you have storm shutters, close them.
Consider covering large windows with plywood if high winds are expected.

🔥 Fire Safety

In case you need to use alternative heating methods, ensure your fire safety measures are up to date.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, ensure it’s clean and ready to use.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher that’s easily accessible, and everyone knows how to use it.

💧 Water Heater Check

Ensure a supply of hot water by making sure your water heater is set to a safe temperature and that it’s full.

🪔 Lighting and Communication

Having these items ready before the storm ensures you’re not scrambling for them when the power goes out.

Make sure you have working flashlights or lanterns with extra batteries.
Have headlamps for hands-free lighting.
Consider having spare light bulbs for essential fixtures.
Invest in a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates and emergency information.
Explore two-way radios (walkie-talkies) for communication within your family or neighborhood, especially if cell service is unreliable.
Write down local radio station frequencies for emergency broadcasts.

❌ Don’t: Rely solely on your cell phone for communication or information. Have a backup plan

4. Vehicle Preparations

Don’t overlook your vehicle; it might be essential for transportation or even shelter. Ensure your car is ready for the storm.

⛽ Full Tank of Gas

Fill up your car’s gas tank completely. Don’t wait until the last minute.

🛞 Get Your Car Ready:

Put your windshield wipers up so they don’t freeze to the windshield (if applicable to the type of storm).
Make sure you have an ice scraper and a snow shovel.
If you can, park your car facing out of your driveway so it’s easier to leave if you need to.
Put a bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk for traction on ice or in mud.
Check your tire pressure and fill them to the recommended level.
Keep roadside emergency supplies in your car: flares, jumper cables, a first-aid kit.

❌ Don’t: Drive unless you absolutely have to during a storm.

🧯 Dealing with Ice on Your Car:

Prevention is Key: The best way to deal with ice on your car is to prevent it from forming in the first place. If freezing rain or ice is forecast, consider covering your car with a tarp or using a windshield cover.
Scrape it Off: A good quality ice scraper is usually sufficient to remove ice from windows and mirrors.
Commercial De-icer Sprays: These are specifically formulated to melt ice and are generally considered safer for car finishes than homemade solutions.
Rubbing Alcohol Solution (Use with Caution): In an emergency, a mixture of two-thirds rubbing alcohol and one-third water can help melt ice on door locks or handles.
- Test on an inconspicuous area first.
- Avoid prolonged contact with painted surfaces.
- Rinse the area with water afterward, if possible.

❌ Never use hot water to melt ice, as the sudden temperature change can crack your windshield, windows and mirrors. Also be aware that rubbing alcohol can damage your car’s paint, rubber seals, and plastic parts.

5. Property and Home Preparations: Secure your surroundings.

Before the storm hits, take steps to secure your property and minimize potential damage.

🪁 Secure Property

Go outside and bring in or tie down anything that could blow around in strong winds. This includes:

Patio furniture
Trash cans
Decorations
Gardening tools
Sports equipment
Also, consider covering delicate plants or shrubs.

❌ Don’t: Plan on doing any outside activities that aren’t related to safety during the storm.

🧽 Last-Minute Chores

Completing these chores can help prevent further disruption during the storm.

Do all your laundry
Wash all the dishes
Take out the trash
Fill up your washing machine with water for an extra water reserve

❌ Don’t: Worry about cleaning your entire house. Just focus on clearing clutter from essential areas.

♨️ Staying Warm/Cool

Prepare for potential temperature changes due to power outages.

For Cold: Plan to use many layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. Find your warmest socks, hats, gloves, and scarves.
For Heat: Have lightweight, light-colored clothing available. Consider purchasing portable fans and extra ice.

❌ Don’t: Run your car in an enclosed space to stay warm or cool. This can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

6. Business Preparations

If you own or manage a business, taking these steps can help minimize disruptions and ensure a smoother recovery after the storm.

👨‍💼 Out of Office: Set up automatic out-of-office replies for email and voicemail, indicating your unavailability and when you expect to be back.
📅 Notify Clients and Staff: Inform clients, colleagues, and staff about your potential unavailability and any changes to work schedules or deadlines.
🤝 Suppliers: Notify your suppliers about potential delays or disruptions.
💻 Equipment Shutdown: Protect your electronic equipment from power surges.
Power down computers, servers, and other electronic equipment.
Unplug sensitive equipment from wall outlets.

🏢 Secure the Office

Take measures to protect your physical office space.

🦺 Close and lock all windows. Consider boarding up if severe winds are expected.
🏭 Move valuable equipment away from windows, and cover with plastic sheeting.
💽 Data Backup: Ensure all important data is backed up to a secure off-site location or cloud service.
🔑 Remote Access: If possible, set up remote access to essential systems and files so you can work from home if necessary.
📄 Business Continuity Plan: Review and update your business continuity plan to ensure it addresses storm-related disruptions.

7. Storm-Specific Needs:

Because different storms present different challenges, having the right gear can make a significant difference. Be prepared for storm specific needs.

Winter Storms (Snow, Ice):

🥾 Snow Removal: Shovels, snow blowers, ice melt, sand.
🛷 Transportation: Snowshoes, skis, sleds (if necessary for mobility).
🚗 Vehicle: Tire chains, ice scraper, snow brush.
🧤 Clothing: Gloves, wet weather overalls, googles, sweaters (jumpers), long underwear (incuding spares for all in case they get wet)

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Floods:

💧 Water Protection: Sandbags, plastic sheeting, pumps.
🛶 Evacuation: Rafts, flotation devices (if in a high-risk flood zone).
🦟 Supplies: Insect repellent, sunscreen.

Tornadoes:

🌪️ Shelter: Identify a safe room in your home (basement, interior room without windows).
⛑️ Protection: Helmets for each person to protect against head injuries.

8. Contact and Communication

Having this list readily available before the storm ensures you can quickly contact essential services and loved ones. Ensure you have multiple ways to stay informed and connected.

📇 Emergency Contacts

Create a list of emergency contacts, typically, 911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia, 112 in Europe:

👮 Police:___________
🔥 Fire: ___________
🚑 Ambulance: ___________
🦺 Local Emergency Management Agency: _____________________ (Look up your local agency’s number)

📞 Utility Companies:

⚡ Power Company: ________________________________
💧 Water Company: ________________________________
💨 Gas Company: ________________________________
☂️ Insurance Company: ________________________________

🩺 Medical Contacts:

👨‍⚕️ Family Doctor: ________________________________
🥼 Veterinarian: ________________________________
🏥 Nearest Hospital: ________________________________
🤢 Poison Control Center: ____________________________________ (e.g., 1–800–222–1222 in the US)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Close Family/Friends (Local and Out-of-Area):

Name: _____________________ Phone: _____________________
Name: _____________________ Phone: _____________________
Name: _____________________ Phone: _____________________

📞 Notifying Important Contacts:

Contact close family, friends, and your designated out-of-area contact to let them know about the impending storm and your plans.

Share your emergency contact list with them.
Confirm they have your up-to-date contact information.

🪢 Reciprocal Information:

If your contacts are also in a potentially affected area, ensure they are also taking precautions.
Exchange emergency contact information with them.

9. Optional Preparations 🪅: Comfort and morale.

These items are not essential for survival but can significantly improve your comfort and morale during a prolonged storm.

🪣 Quick House Clean-Up: Tidy up your house a bit.

It will be easier to find things in the dark if the power goes out.
Also, clear any clutter from hallways and stairs.

🫓 “Comfort Run”

If you want, go to the store and get some of your favorite non-perishable snacks or treats.

Saropa Contacts: Your Pre-Storm Organizer

📇 Saropa Contacts: Your Digital Organizer: Before the storm, use the Saropa Contacts app to get organized:
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and Friends: Store details for your out-of-area contact and close relatives/friends.
📞 Emergency Services: Add local police, fire, ambulance, and your local emergency management agency. Have these numbers at your fingertips.
⚡ Utility Companies: Keep contact info for your power, water, and gas providers. Report outages or hazards quickly.
☂️ Insurance and Medical: Include your insurance details and contacts for your doctor, vet, nearest hospital, and poison control center.
🆘 Emergency Numbers Anywhere: The app automatically provides the correct national emergency numbers based on your location.

Download Saropa Contacts App at saropa.com

Closing Sentiment:

You’re now well-prepared for the approaching storm! This preparation demonstrates your resourcefulness and ability to handle challenging situations. You’ve prioritized safety and well-being, and that’s something to be proud of. Remember to stay informed and adapt your plans as needed.

Continue to Part 2: Read more in Storm Action Plan: Part 2 — Staying Safe During and After the Storm 🪬

Footnotes:

Ready.gov (U.S. Department of Homeland Security): https://www.ready.gov/ Provides comprehensive information on disaster preparedness for various hazards.
National Weather Service (NWS) (U.S.): https://www.weather.gov/ Offers weather forecasts, warnings, and educational resources on weather safety.
American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/ Provides disaster relief and preparedness information, including first aid and CPR training.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO): https://public.wmo.int/en A specialized agency of the United Nations, providing information on weather, climate, and water resources.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (U.S.): https://www.fema.gov/ Offers resources on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Met Office (UK): https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ The UK’s national weather service, providing weather forecasts and warnings.
Bureau of Meteorology (Australia): http://www.bom.gov.au/ Australia’s national weather, climate, and water agency.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (U.S.): https://www.cdc.gov/ Offers information on public health, including emergency preparedness and response.
FEMA — How to Prepare for a Winter Storm: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/how-prepare-winter-storm Information on how to prepare for a winter storm.
Ready.gov — Winter Storms & Extreme Cold: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather Provides comprehensive information on disaster preparedness for winter storms.
NWS — Winter Storm Safety: https://www.weather.gov/ama/wintersafety Winter storm safety advice.
CDC — Winter Weather: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/index.html Advice on staying safe and healthy in winter weather.
Ready.gov — Hurricanes: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes Provides comprehensive information on disaster preparedness for hurricanes.
Ready.gov — Floods: https://www.ready.gov/floods Provides comprehensive information on disaster preparedness for floods.
Ready.gov — Tornadoes: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes Provides comprehensive information on disaster preparedness for tornadoes.
American Red Cross — Tornado Safety Checklist: https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Tornado/Tornado.pdf Checklist for before, during, and after a tornado.

These are just a few examples, and you can find many other valuable resources online. Remember to consult your local authorities and emergency management agencies for region-specific information.