This post contains affiliate links.

The summer storm, tornado, and hurricane seasons can be a stressful time if you live in an area that is prone to them. The likelihood of an emergency situation is much higher, so it pays to be prepared. Having a plan and a stock of emergency supplies can bring peace of mind if a disaster should arise. These 12 simple ways to prepare for summer storms are a great place to start.

12 Easy Ways to Prepare for Summer Storms

Flashlights and/or candles – To start, you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of flashlights or candles for when and if the power goes out. If you have little ones, you might want to re-think an open flame and use flameless LED candles or an LED camping lantern instead.

Batteries/Power Bank Charger – You’ll also want to keep batteries on hand for flashlights and other small gadgets and a portable power bank charger for electronics. You’ll want to make sure you have enough of them on hand to keep the kids entertained, but also to charge a cell phone in an emergency situation. To keep yourself organized, buy a large craft storage box to keep all of your batteries and charging devices together.

Shelf Stable Food – In a major emergency such as flooding, tornado, or hurricane, you may find yourself without ready access to food or a way to cook it. To make sure that you can feed your family, keep plenty of shelf stable foods on hand that can be prepared easily. Items like shelf stable milk, dry cereals, granola bars, canned soups, or food ration packs are great options. While you’re at it, don’t forget to pack a can opener and eating utensils in your emergency food kit.

Water – Water is incredibly important for daily life but especially so in an emergency. Not only is clean water needed for drinking, but also for cleaning, bathing and first aid. Water is an easy way to prepare for summer storms. Keep 1 gallon per person per day plus extra for pets, cleaning, bathing and first aid. If you are looking for a portable water solution, emergency water packets are a great idea, but keep in mind that water is very heavy so you’ll want to make sure that you have a way to carry it if you need to. You could also consider getting a LifeStraw that will allow you to drink from any source.

Blankets – I know it might sound silly to keep blankets on hand when you prepare for summer storms, but you will want to have a few extras. They’re useful for helping to protect against debris, for first aid, and for sleeping somewhere uncomfortable in a pinch.

Extra copies of all identity documents – Another summer storm preparation (or just a good one to do in general) is to make sure you have extra copies of all of your identifying documents. Birth certificates, social security cards, immunization records, passports and so on. Keep them in a waterproof bag in case of flooding or water damage and be sure to keep a hundred dollars or so in cash with them.

Hand Crank Weather Alert Radio – When the power goes out, you’ll want to make sure that you have a way to keep track of weather conditions. Keeping a NOAA-approved hand crank radio on hand will make sure that you can stay on top of any new weather alerts or dangers. If you want to double up on the preparations, get a hand-cranked radio that also doubles as a flashlight and a cell phone charger. 

Swim Lessons – This one might seem silly, but in the event that you or your children are caught in a severe flood, knowing how to swim strongly could be the difference between life and death. Swim lessons are usually short (4 – 6 weeks) and are a preparation step that you’ll be glad you checked off the list.

Emergency toilet – If you're trapped in a basement or a storm shelter, you will eventually need to use the toilet. Luckily, there are portable emergency toilets (also sold for camping) that are essentially a bucket with a snap-on seat/lid. If picking one of these up, also remember to get the waste bags and deodorizing chemicals to go with it.

Well-Stocked First Aid Kit – Summer months are known for being injury months so keep your first aid kit well-stocked with fresh items. Items that you might want to include are gauze, antibacterial cream, Band-Aids, ACE bandages, tweezers, pain relievers, itch relievers, etc. You can also add essential oils to your kit to naturally treat things like headaches and tummy aches. If you're unsure what you might need, you can buy a ready-made first aid kit and add anything you think your family might benefit from, including emergency supplies of any regular medication.

Bug spray or cream – Mosquitos, flies and other creepy crawlers are bad in the summer but they’re especially bad in situations where the air has been stirred up or there is sitting water. Keeping enough bug spray or cream for your family to last a week will go a long way toward protecting them against illnesses that may be caused by a simple insect bite.

Heavy Duty Trash Bags – Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods are the biggest summer weather emergencies and with them comes plenty of debris. Make sure that you keep enough heavy duty trash bags on hand to dispose of trash properly. This will help you keep your own family’s waste picked up and can help you clean up after a disaster too.

I hope these tips spur you to start your own emergency kit, just in case a disaster should arise. Better safe than sorry!

PIN ME:


Do you live in an area prone to storms? How do you prepare? Do you keep an emergency kit? I love to read your comments.