Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

Most emergency supply kit lists are written for the entire country. Florida’s risks are different — we face hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, and extended power outages that can last one to two weeks after a major storm. This checklist is built specifically for Southwest Florida based on our team’s experience responding to thousands of post-disaster properties.

Water & Food

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days minimum — FEMA recommends 3 days, but post-hurricane infrastructure recovery in SW Florida routinely takes 7–14 days. For a family of 4, that’s 28 gallons.
• Water purification tablets or portable filter as backup
• Non-perishable food for 7 days — canned vegetables, fruit, protein (tuna, chicken, beans), peanut butter, crackers, protein bars, dried fruit
• Manual can opener (electric won’t work without power)
• Disposable plates, cups, and utensils (water conservation — no dishes to wash)
• Cooler with ice — fill and freeze gallon water jugs before the storm. They keep a cooler cold for days and provide drinking water as they melt.
• Baby formula and food if applicable (2-week supply)
• Pet food for 2 weeks (see Pet Supplies section below)

Medical & First Aid

• Prescription medications: 2-week supply — pharmacies may be closed or damaged for days after a storm
• First aid kit — bandages, gauze, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication, antihistamines
• Medical equipment — CPAP with battery, oxygen, insulin with cold packs, nebulizer, hearing aid batteries
• Insect repellent — critical in post-hurricane Florida when standing water breeds mosquitoes rapidly
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ — cleanup work in Florida sun causes severe burns quickly
• Eyeglasses or contacts with solution (extra pair)
• N95 masks — for mold, dust, and debris during cleanup
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes

Power, Light & Communication

• Flashlights — at least one per person plus extras (LED models with long battery life)
• Batteries — full stock of all sizes used by your devices (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio — NOAA weather radio capable
• Portable power bank — 20,000+ mAh for phone charging; solar-powered models are ideal
• Car chargers for all phones (your car is a mobile charging station)
• Generator (if you have one) — run under load before storm season. Stock fuel. NEVER run indoors or in a garage — carbon monoxide kills.
• Extension cords — heavy-duty outdoor-rated
• Portable fans — battery-operated. Florida without AC is dangerous, especially for elderly residents.

Important Documents

Store originals in a waterproof container and digital copies in cloud storage.

• Insurance policies — homeowner’s, flood, auto, and umbrella
• Insurance agent contact information
• Home inventory with photos/video (or enroll in WrightWay’s ERP for professional documentation)
• Photo IDs — driver’s license, passport
• Property deed and mortgage documents
• Medical records and prescriptions
• Bank account and credit card information
• Social Security cards
• Vehicle titles and registration
• Emergency contact list (printed — your phone may die)
• WrightWay’s number: (941) 379-8669 (written down, not just in your phone)

Tools & Safety Equipment

• Work gloves — heavy leather or puncture-resistant
• Hard-soled boots or shoes (post-storm debris includes nails, glass, and metal)
• Safety goggles
• N95 respirator masks (for mold and debris)
• Tarps — heavy-duty blue tarps (10x12 minimum) for emergency roof coverage
• Duct tape
• Multi-tool or basic tool kit — hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench
• Rope or paracord
• Fire extinguisher (Class ABC)
• Whistle — to signal for help if trapped

Florida-Specific Items

These items are often missing from generic emergency kit lists but are essential in Florida:

• Mosquito netting or screen — if windows are broken or you’re sleeping with windows open for ventilation
• Electrolyte packets or sports drinks — dehydration is a serious risk during cleanup in Florida heat
• Cooling towels — soak in water and drape around the neck for heat relief without AC
• Bug spray (high DEET) — post-hurricane standing water creates massive mosquito populations within days
• Pool shock or bleach — for water purification (8 drops unscented bleach per gallon) and disinfecting flood-contaminated surfaces
• Rain gear — afternoon thunderstorms continue even after a hurricane passes
• Shade structure or pop-up canopy — for outdoor work during cleanup

Pet Supplies

• Food and water for 2 weeks per pet
• Medications for 2 weeks
• Leash, collar with ID tags, harness
• Carrier or crate — required for most shelters
• Vaccination records (printed copies — required by shelters)
• Recent photo of each pet (in case of separation)
• Litter and litter box for cats
• Waste bags for dogs
• Calming aids — thunder shirts, pheromone sprays, or prescribed anxiety medication

Vehicle Emergency Kit

• Full tank of gas before the storm (fill early — stations run out quickly)
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter
• Tire repair kit and portable air compressor
• Road flares or reflective triangles
• Basic tool kit
• Paper maps of SW Florida (GPS may not work without cell service)
• Phone charger for your vehicle

Kit Maintenance Schedule

• January — Replace batteries in all flashlights and radios. Check expiration dates on food and water.
• June 1 (hurricane season start) — Full kit review. Replace expired items. Refill prescriptions. Check generator. Verify insurance coverage.
• Monthly during hurricane season — Check weather radio. Verify phone chargers work. Review evacuation routes.
• After any use — Replenish everything you used within 48 hours.