Battery Junction's Hurricane Preparation Guide

When hurricane season strikes, it’s important to be prepared! You have to plan ahead when buying groceries, so why not do the same when preparing for hurricanes? Here at BatteryJunction.com we have the solution for you, with key items to check off your list when shopping for your hurricane preparedness kit! Typically, hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year. Hurricanes are rated by intensity ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, with Category 5 being the strongest. This scale of intensity adjusts depending on the central pressure, wind speed, and storm surge in relation to the possible damage as it results to other regional contexts. While many would expect hurricanes to be a large problem in coastal areas, hurricanes can reach very far inland. Even if hurricanes weaken significantly, inland communities may still flood.

If you know a hurricane is headed your way, it is vital to keep up with alerts from the National Weather Service. Need a radio to stay up to date with alerts in your area? Check out the Tenergy Multi-Functional Hand Crank Weather Radio! This radio is a great choice because it also features a flashlight function, SOS siren, and doubles as a power bank so you can charge other devices. It also has 4 power options, including the included lithium-ion battery pack with USB port, three included AAA batteries, as well as a hand crank and solar panel for multiple ways to power on without even needing batteries!

Preparing for a Hurricane? Here's What You Need

1. Food and Water

Food and water are arguably the first, most important factors to consider before a hurricane. Ensuring you and your family have enough to eat and drink should come first. Especially important, non-perishable food is important to keep on hand if you are in a situation where you cannot refrigerate. You should ensure you have a supply that will last several days, or even weeks, depending on the severity of the incoming storm. It is important to select foods your family will eat and to prioritize any dietary needs or restrictions. Also, it is crucial to have water available for washing and cleaning purposes in an emergency.

At Battery Junction, we have a selection of fridges and warmers by Wagan, which can help with food preservation:

Wagan Tech Fridges/Warmers

We also have UST water containers, which help to carry water in emergencies:

UST Water Carriers

2. Clothing

Before a hurricane, you should make sure you have a wide range of clothing options at the ready. Summer and winter clothing should both be readily available due to unpredictable weather conditions that can accompany a hurricane. Hurricane season lasts several months, so the possibility of it landing in later months during the fall is not uncommon. You should always have a complete change of clothes ready, including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and reliable shoes.

We have some clothing options here at Battery Junction, most of which are especially crucial in emergency weather conditions including heavy rain, extreme cold, and extreme heat:

3. First Aid

We have some clothing options here at Battery Junction, most of which are especially crucial in emergency weather conditions including heavy rain, extreme cold, and extreme heat: First aid kits are vital to any hurricane go bag and can be a lifesaver in the worst conditions. You never know when an unexpected injury will arise, which is why it’s important to carry one in your go-bag. The first aid kit should be able to mitigate harm from cuts, sprains, or even allergic reactions. Important items to include in a first aid kit include gloves, tweezers, bandages, medical tape, and gauze pads to name a few. One should ensure that the first aid kit is supplied with everything you and your family need before a hurricane. This includes specialty health items based on family member health history.

At Battery Junction, we have a protective first aid pouch by Maxpedition:

Maxpedition Individual First Aid Pouch

4. Batteries, Batteries, Batteries

No hurricane preparedness kit is complete without batteries. Household batteries such as AA or AAA cells are important to stock up on when you are without power so you can keep essential portable devices working properly. Having AA, AAA, C, D, and even CR123A batteries can keep your flashlights going for the long haul. We have designated pages for all battery sizes and types, so stocking up on household batteries at BatteryJunction.com is made easy with reliable prices to boot.

Batteries:

5. Flashlights

Flashlights are essential lighting tools during a hurricane. If the power goes out, it’s important to have the right flashlight by your side. A simple and reliable flashlight goes a long way in a power outage when you need to set up a generator or put down tarps, giving you hands-free light in the process. Something compact enough to keep in your pocket for use at a moment’s notice is a plus. If a flashlight runs on replaceable AA, AAA, C, or D-cell batteries it’s a home run.

Our Everyday Flashlight Picks:

A flashlight is crucial in emergencies, but some stand out from the pack with features that help you out in emergencies. Red and red flashing modes are essential for reducing ocular strain when using a light for long periods and for emergency signaling. Most emergency lights have an extended runtime, so you can continue to use it in dire circumstances. These lights are a must-have if you are in a situation where you must evacuate your home or venture into the storm out of shelter.

The Fenix E-Star, for example, is an excellent emergency tool that can be powered manually, allowing you to crank to keep the light on. Outside of this, it is both USB-C powered and runs on AA batteries. It has a long runtime on the front end and a crank for when all other options are gone. A reliable flashlight to use around the house, the E-Star outputs 100 lumens from 130+ feet away!

We at Battery Junction love the Wagan Tech Fred Flashing Roadside Emergency Disk. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you must evacuate, your buddy FRED is a crucial companion in your vehicle. With 10 different output modes and up to one mile of visibility, the FRED is crucial for cautioning other drivers or warning motorists. Powered by common AAs, the Fred is readily accessible with replaceable batteries.

Our Favorite Emergency Lights:

Lanterns are great for indoor and outdoor use as you batten down the hatches for that big storm. They help keep you and your family with 360 degrees of light to navigate the living room, dining room, or other parts of your home. Finding the right lantern for a power outage is simple. Ideally, you want one with adjustable brightness levels to light every corner of a room or provide just enough light so as not to disturb other family members. You also want one that can be run with a replaceable power source. Sure, you can opt for Lithium-ion lanterns, and they might be more powerful and hold a longer charge, but finding one you can simply throw AAs, C, or D cells into is essential for when you’re in a tough spot with no power.

With a lantern like the Energizer WeatherReady, you have a bright 500 lumens, with the option to power with 3 replaceable D cells or AA batteries. Also, the Streamlight Siege is a lantern with a magnetic base and 200 lumens of output using 3 x AA batteries. Battery Junction is sure to have the lantern light for you!

Our Favorite Lanterns:

6. Power Banks and Other Backup Power Supplies

Plenty of power bank options are available at BatteryJunction.com, with a wide range of power delivery available. When finding a reliable power bank, it’s important to look at the capacity to get an idea of how long your devices will be able to run. For example, the Energizer UE20011PQ has a 20,000mAh capacity, which is twice what most power banks typically have. As a result, the UE20011PQ is a great choice for power outages because it holds more charge, allowing you to charge your phone – or other beloved portable electronics – more than once.

Nitecore has a range of power banks and power stations ranging from the NC10000 to the NPS400. Have simple charging of electronics or opt for an industrial-sized unit for more high-drain devices crucial to power in emergency situations. We recommend investing in both a power brick and power cube so you have charging options for devices of all shapes and sizes. This way your smartphone and plug-in radio both stay on and keep you up to date on any weather alerts in your area from the National Weather Service!

If you really want complete coverage despite extreme power outage threats due to hurricanes, your best bet is the Power-Sonic Pulse. The Power-Sonic Pulse stores and distributes grid electricity or solar power to your entire home or office. With battery pack modules, you can keep power stored from the grid, and distribute it to your home, facility, RV, and more. With the fast-acting transfer switch, the system will switch to backup power in about 10 milliseconds – so fast, your computers and vital medical machines will never know the power went out! The Pulse is compatible with grid, renewable, or hybrid energy installations for a top choice in every setting. With 3 battery modules you have up to 30 hours of backup power, so you can keep essentials on, from your fridge to medical equipment, lights, and more. Click here for more information on the Power-Sonic Pulse!

Our Favorite Power Banks and Backup Power Supply Systems:

7. Waterproof Bag or Case

In an emergency, it is crucial to safely store important documents, cash, and checks making it ever-so important to have the best storage solution. Pelican offers a whole host of protective gear to keep your daily essentials safe from the unrelenting elements. With a choice of backpacks or cases that can withstand water, these are your go-tos for protection valuables. We recommend the Pelican MPB20 backpack because it has a waterproof nylon material, 20-liter capacity, and simple quality-of-life features like a quick-access pocket. The Pelican 1060 case safeguards your iPhone or tablet with an IP67 waterproof rating, durable polycarbonate design and a strong seal thanks to the accessible latch construction.

Recommended Protective Cases and Bags:

Rounding Out Your Hurricane Checklist

Of course, there are always more ways to prepare. From tarps to fire starters, we here at Battery Junction have a wide variety of tools that help with hurricane preparation. All storms are unpredictable and require different needs met. Scenarios where you have to evacuate bring along their own set of challenges. That’s why it is so crucial to keep up with updates on the incoming storm and act accordingly.

At BatteryJunction.com, we have a wide assortment of gear to help you stay prepared for what any storm can throw at you. Check out miscellaneous items that are sure to help in a hurricane, as well as our general gear page:

Battery Junction's Hurricane Preparation Guide

Preparing for a Hurricane? Here's What You Need

1. Food and Water

2. Clothing

3. First Aid

4. Batteries, Batteries, Batteries

5. Flashlights

6. Power Banks and Other Backup Power Supplies

7. Waterproof Bag or Case

Rounding Out Your Hurricane Checklist

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