After a major disaster (whether tornadoes/high winds, flooding, major wildfires, or hazmat emergencies), there is often a disruption of normal services. This includes electricity, telephones, and sewer systems, as well as the ability to obtain fresh food and drinking water. Experts recommend that every citizen should have a disaster supply kit on hand, well-stocked enough to allow them to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Disaster kits should be stored in a waterproof container in an easily accessible location.

• Water - at least one gallon per person per day
• Food - non-perishable, and requiring minimal preparation
• Manual can opener and cooking supplies
• Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit with first aid instructions
• Copies of important documents* and phone numbers
• Cash (one recommendation we've heard is to keep $300 in small denominations on hand)
• Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member
• Heavy work gloves
• Disposable camera
• Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper (for water purification)**
• Personal hygiene items (including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer, and soap)
• Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife (to seal up windows during a shelter-in-place or to cover broken windows)
• Basic tools: hammer & nails, crowbar, staple gun, wrench, and bungee cords
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Large heavy duty trash bags and a plastic bucket for sanitation
• Other vital personal items, such as medications, prescription eyeglasses, or infant formula & diapers
• Food and water supplies for any pets

Additionally, you should consider making portable disaster kits for each member of the family that can be grabbed quickly in the case of an evacuation (often referred to as "Go Bags"). These should be packed in an easy-to-carry container (such as a backpack) and labeled with ID tags.

• Flashlight
• Battery powered radio
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations (including some loose change)
• Sturdy shoes, change of clothes and a warm hat/gloves
• Local maps
• Some water and non-perishable food
• Permanent marker, paper, and tape
• Photos of family members and pets
• List of emergency contact numbers
• List of drug or food allergies
• Copy of health insurance and ID cards
• First aid supplies
• Other vital personal items, such as medications, prescription eyeglasses, or infant formula & diapers
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle

*Important documents tip:  Copies of essential documents - like powers of attorney, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and a copy of your will - should also be kept in a safe location outside your home.  A safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town is a good choice.

**Tip for disinfecting water:   If you can't get hold of fresh or bottled drinking water and you don't have a way to boil water, you can disinfect water using regular bleach.  Add 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of household chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Don't use special bleaches with scents or added cleaners or bleach that says it's color-safe! Stir the water well and then let it sit for 30 minutes before using it. Store it in a clean, covered container.  (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)