Guides
Hurricane Essentials: What South Florida Families Should Have Ready
Updated October 12, 2026
Hurricane season runs through November 30, and the best time to stock up is before a storm is on the map. This guide groups our picks by what a South Florida family actually uses: light and power when the electricity goes out, ways to get weather updates, water and food basics, a safe spot for documents, and ways to keep kids busy while you wait it out. You do not need everything on this list. It pairs with your county's official hurricane checklist, so cross-check it against Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade's current guidance. A few items overlap with our Traveling with Kids, Beach and Theme Park guides.
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Hurricane Checklist
Power and light
- Etekcity LED Camping Lanterns, Battery Operated, 2-Pack - Collapsible lanterns that run on AA batteries, one for each room when the power goes out.
- Rayovac LED Flashlight, 2-Pack - A flashlight per person is the rule of thumb, and this pair comes with batteries included.
- Energizer AA and AAA Batteries, 48-Count Combo Pack - Lanterns, flashlights and radios all eat batteries. One combo pack covers both sizes.
- Anker Power Bank, 20,000mAh Portable Charger - A high-capacity bank that can recharge a phone several times over a multi-day outage.
- INIU 10000mAh Portable Charger - A second, smaller bank so two people can charge at once, or one stays in the car.
- Camping Fan with LED Lantern, Rechargeable Battery Operated - A fan and a lantern in one, which matters when the AC is off in South Florida heat. Charge it before the storm.
- JISULIFE Bladeless Neck Fan - A hands-free personal fan for the sticky hours after the power goes out.
Communication and info
- Hand Crank NOAA Emergency Weather Radio with Flashlight and USB Charger - When cell service and wifi go down, a crank or solar NOAA radio keeps weather updates coming and can top up a phone.
- Walkie Talkies - Handy for checking on neighbors or keeping in touch around the house when phones are being saved for emergencies.
- JOTO Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch, 2-Pack - Keeps your phone dry through rain, flooding cleanup or a trip out in the storm bands.
Water and food
- WaterStorageCube BPA-Free Collapsible Water Container with Spigot - Fill it before the storm so you have drinking and washing water if the tap stops. Folds flat for storage the rest of the year.
- OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener - Your emergency food is only useful if you can open it. A comfortable manual opener works with no power.
- Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, Marshmallow (Adult) - Fill everyone's bottles before the storm so cold drinking water is always within reach.
- Owala FreeSip Kids Water Bottle - A kid-size bottle that is easy for small hands to open on their own.
- Propel Electrolyte Powder Packets, 32-Count - Single-serve packets for hot days without AC, when everyone is sweating more than usual.
- Igloo Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler - Keeps ice, drinks and the most-used food cold so the fridge stays shut and holds its temperature longer. Bring your own ice packs.
- Igloo MaxCold Medium Ice Blocks, 3-Pack - Freeze these ahead of time and keep them with your cooler supplies. Add loose ice separately if your household needs it.
- Dixie Combo Pack, 50 Dining Sets - Paper plates, cups, cutlery and napkins together for meals when you want to save washing water. This kit does not include bowls.
- Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Container Set, 20-Piece, Red - Containers and lids for organizing food supplies and keeping portions together. Keep perishable food properly chilled.
Documents and valuables
- APTGRO Fireproof Waterproof Document Bag - One grab-and-go spot for passports, insurance papers, birth certificates and cash.
- Ziploc Seal Top Bags Variety Pack - Assorted sizes for protecting phones, documents, matches and anything else that has to stay dry.
- Tiny Twinkle Wet Bags, 2-Pack - Zip bags to quarantine soaked clothes and keep the rest of your gear dry.
Health and safety
- Mini First Aid Kit, 150-Piece - Bandages and basics in one kit for cuts and scrapes when a quick pharmacy run is not an option.
- AMOOS 7-Slot Pill Organizer - Keeps a week of daily medications sorted and easy to grab if you need to leave in a hurry.
- Lumify Eye Drops - Useful for irritated eyes from dust, debris and long days in storm prep.
- Moskinto Bug Bite Itch-Relief Patches, 42-Count - Mosquitoes come out after the rain. Patches take the itch out of bites, especially for kids.
- OFF! Picaridin Mosquito Repellent Lotion - A lotion repellent for the buggy days after a storm passes through.
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Fresh Scent, 75-Count - Keep a canister with your cleaning supplies. Use on surfaces as the label directs, not as wipes for hands or faces.
- PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz Pump Bottles, 3-Pack - A pump bottle for your emergency supply bin. Follow the label and supervise children when using it.
- 3M Aura N95 Particulate Respirators, 9205PH-20-DC, 20-Pack - Respirators to keep with your cleanup supplies. Follow the fitting and use instructions; these are not a reason to enter an unsafe area.
Rain and cleanup
- Hagon PRO Disposable Rain Ponchos, Family 5-Pack - Cheap, light ponchos for everyone when you have to be out in the rain before or after the storm.
- BAODINI Mini Travel Umbrella with Case - A compact umbrella with a case, easy to stash in a car or go-bag.
- Hefty Heavy Duty Contractor Bags, 45 Gallon, 22-Count - Thick bags for yard debris, damaged items and storm cleanup. They also double as emergency rain covers.
- 4Monster Quick-Dry Microfiber Travel Towels, 4-Pack - For drying off people, pets and wet floors. They dry fast and pack down small.
- Amazon Basics Waterproof Multipurpose Camping Tarp, Dark Green - A tarp to keep with your household supplies for covering stored items. Not a substitute for hurricane shutters or a professionally assessed roof repair.
- 3M No Residue Duct Tape, 1.88 Inches x 20 Yards - A roll for bundling supplies and small temporary fixes. Do not present taped windows as hurricane protection.
- TR Industrial Cable Ties, 8-Inch, Black, 100-Pack - Zip ties for keeping cords and supply bundles together. Store them with your tools rather than hunting for them during prep.
- Amazon Basics Home Repair Tool Kit, 65-Piece - A basic kit with a hammer, screwdrivers and other hand tools for small household jobs. Keep the right screws and fasteners for your own home separately.
Kids and comfort
- Yahtzee (Hasbro) - A classic dice game the whole family can play by lantern light, no wifi required.
- Hasbro Grab & Go Travel Games, 4-Pack - Travel-size versions of familiar games, easy to pull out one at a time over a long evening.
- UNO Splash Waterproof Card Game - A waterproof card game that survives sticky hands and damp conditions.
- LCD Writing Tablets, 4-Pack - Draw and erase with no mess and no charging. Good quiet entertainment while the storm passes.
- Search-and-Find Activity Book with Markers - A quiet activity to keep kids busy when everyone is cooped up inside.
- Portable Mini White Noise Machine - Helps little ones sleep through wind, rain and a noisy night. Charge it ahead of time.
- Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Diapers, Size 3, 168-Count - Add spare diapers to your family supply bin. This link is for Size 3; choose your child's current size and usual diaper type before buying.
- Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes, Unscented, 336-Count - Extra baby wipes for diaper changes and everyday messes. Check the current pack configuration on the listing before ordering.
- Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Pet Travel Carrier, Medium, Black - Keep a carrier ready if your pet needs to travel with you. This is a medium carrier; check the listing's dimensions, weight limit and your pet's measurements before buying.
- Earth Rated Dog Waste Bag Refill Rolls, Unscented, 270-Count - Extra waste bags for your dog supplies or evacuation bag. Pack them alongside your usual leash and pet essentials.
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