What Do You Do to Prepare for a Storm?

In addition, changes of clothes for yourself and the baby, diapers, wipes, baby carrier/sling is really good to have. Plus a shovel/crowbar/saw in case you have to un bury yourselves from any wreckage. Your Cell phones, chargers, spare charged battaries if you have them. Tennis shoes for everyone, extra clean socks, camera (video or still) - damage photo/video for insurance. Not all of these are required by any means but if you have room to keep them close are good things to have. We also have an "emergency" raido that runs on wind up energy with a loud siren to let ppl know we are there, a small tv screen and flashlight. Flares are good to have too.

You have done well. Get a few extra cell phone batteries and rotate them to keep them charged. Get a box for all your personal information and put it somewhere safe, make sure you have extra medicines available, diapers for baby, a few blankets and just be prepared. Keep an eye on out the skys and watch the actions of any animals you have and the birds nearby. They can tell if something is up before it actually occurs. Also if the air gets real still and quiet beware.

Good thoughts for you in Tornado Ally from where I am we send them east - sorry.

The other S.

If I have room in a freezer, I'll take some washed out gallon milk jugs and fill the 3/4 way with water (leave the cap loose) and freeze them.
If the power is out for awhile, switch the frozen ice block to the fridge side to keep contents cold, and as it melts you also have water to drink.
Spare batteries and flashlights/lantern are good, but a flashlight and/or radio that you can charge by cranking them is good, too.
Everyone in our neighborhood has a generator and fuel to run them.
We also keep granola bars, dried fruit and peanut butter on hand (foods you can eat without cooking that do not require refrigeration).

do you have a weather radio that monitors the NOAH weather station? that has some of the most up to date information on the storm situation. That is where the TV stations get more of their information. I think they sell them at walgreen's and other places. With all the scary weather that has hit recently, this is a great question. What about diapers? If someone has medical issues, do you have the medication and supplies they need handy. What about a cell phone and a charger? It is a good idea to be prepared. We have been praying for all of the families and towns affected by the tornadoes and bad weather that has hit in the United States.

Hand powered can opener. Also propane gas for BBQ, water/fire proof safe. Landline cordless phones do not work; it is hard to find the "plug" in the wall ones...

Also get all your receipts from your purchases in order, pictures of all your items for insurance purposes.

Stay Safe Everyone!!!

We have a bag of toys to keep the kids busy, grab the diaper bag, older lawn chairs for us, I also keep a tarp and blanket incase the kids want to play on the floor (our basement is unfinished), candles and matches.
But, if we have enough notice we go to my in-law's (1 mile away) because they have a finished basement!

get diapers if needed ssc birth certificates and drivers liscense and marriage cert. these things are hard to replace and a night mare to get another one. Baby bottles if needed extra clothes in case everything gets blown away Make sure you have shoes an absolute necessity if you actually do get hit. Insurance papers and cards. And avideo camera.

I have a power station- the rechargeable kind that you leave plugged into the wall. In the event of power loss, we can use this to hook up cell phones so we stay in touch if our cell battery dies. We recently had power loss for 36 hours due to a tornado passing near our home, and this was a life saver, esp since tons of family and friends blew up our phone! Also, we were able to hook up our small LCD TV and see what is going on with the weather. They cost anywhere from $50 on up to $300 usually. I think ours cost around $75.00. They are great for camping too!

T.:

Buy a Rubbermaid Plastic tub. Put the batteries, supplies, etc. in that.
Ensure you have one backpack PER PERSON in the event you have to MOVE.
In your emergency pack you should have:

Water
flashlight
extra batteries
CAN OPENER (can't tell you how many people forget the can opener)
unopened box of garbage bags
unexpired medicine that is medically necessary (ensure you rotate this out)
First Aid kit
Wind up flashlight/radio (ours charges electronics too)
EMPTY coffee cans WITH LIDS (if you are stuck in your room you might need to relieve yourself!!)
shovel
axe
change of clothes for each member of the family
matches (in a ziploc bag)

There is so much more but just think in lines of what you use daily. We have our sleeping bags right there next to the bin...I have MREs for seven days as well...these can be easily put in the backpacks should we need to move fast.

I have considered buying some large tarps. Doesn't help if your house is wiped off the map but if you still have some stuff it is nice to have them handy to protect what is left from the rain. Knowing Troy he will probably tell me to pick up enough to help out the neighbors as well. :)

If your kids have bike or baseball helmets, I would put them in the basement and strap them on them if you have to take cover. I would also go ahead and put any items that are irreplaceable in the basement. I grabbed the quilt my mom made and my photo albums.

Bottle Water (water should be maintained far from cement, it damage it! Use shelves away from the walls and floor that is not carpeted)
Containers to keep water for other uses (washing hands, etc.)
Non-perishable food (canned fruit & vegetables, beans, crackers, peanut butter, tuna, salmon etc)
Box Juices
First Aid Kit (alcohol, peroxyde, band aids, gauze, antibacterial ointment,cotton, fever reducer/pain reliever for children and adults, saline drops for kids, hand sanitizer, thermometer, disinfectant wipes, disposable gloves, eye wash, tweezers,etc)
Items for personal hygiene (sanitary pads-you never know-, toothbrushes and toothpaste, also there are some you can use without water; wipes, gum, small soap)
Sunscreen
Dust Masks
Candles and matches
copies of your most important documents (driver license, ID, passport, etc.)
cash
Waterprooof matches, glow sticks and flashlights
Manual Can opener
Blankets
Batteries
Scissors
Sturdy gloves (Ex: gardening gloves)
Trash bags
paper towel
toilet paper
tent
radio (battery operated/weather radio)
disposable cups, plates and tableware
shovel
hammer
extra clothing for each member of the family
a small box or container by your bed where to keep wallet, car keys, and,cell phone, glasses easy to just grab them in case of emergency.
prescriptions numbers and medicines handy
In the car a backpack for every adult and child with basic items

So far is what I remember what I always keep just in case....especially now!
Take care everyone!

I know this is real late. but we just got our cable and internet back on. but one thing that you need after seeing the devastation. An ax. to be able to cut your way out. something that my husband and i have talked about after all this.

Great post!!! Especially as I'm watching the news now about severe weather moving in. I think in our house I'll do a weather box - I know it's not as mobile as a backpack or anything, but it will contain everything we (family of four) needs at least for a short period. It includes (thanks to the others for their suggestions!)

Water (at least 1 gallon per person - I think it's supposed to be 1 gallon per day but I will just freeze 4 gallons for now)
Bottled Water
PB, Granola Bars, Canned Foods
Diapers/Wipes
Blankets, Sleeping Bag
Change of Clothing for children including socks
First Aid Kit
Empty Can/Lid
Can opener, silverware, paper towels
Motorcycle helmet (since we no longer have a motorcycle - can be used for the kids!)
Candles, batteries, flashlights
**Weather radio** This will go on our night stand once we buy it!

Thanks again :)