No matter what the disaster -- flood, wildfire, prolonged power outage -- you may need the same basic items. Consider creating and maintaining a kit for your home, vehicle and where you work. The items in your vehicle's kit should increase during the winter months (for example, adding warm blankets and a snow shovel).
Listed below are the suggested items, but make sure you customize your kit to meet your family's needs:
Non-perishable food and water (enough for each person in your home for three days - 1 gallon of water per person per day. Be sure to check expiration dates and rotate your food and water supplies as needed)
First Aid Kit
NOAA weather radio (consider S.A.M.E. or Specific Area Message Encoding feature to receive alerts for your specified county only)
Manual can opener
Copies of important documents in a "zip-top" waterproof bag
Extra medication and copies of prescriptions
Flashlight with extra batteries
Whistle (we recommend a plastic whistle, not metal, that won't freeze to your lips when it's cold!)
Blankets or additional warm clothing
Extra cell-phone charger (for AC outlet and vehicle charging)
Extra pair of eyeglasses/contact lens and solution
"Comfort" items like deoderant, toothbrush/tooth paste, and moist towelettes
Dust filter mask/work goggles/leather-palmed work gloves
Wrench, pliers, or multi-tool
Duct tape
Heavy garbage bags
Entertainment like books or travel games
Addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for family and emergency contacts
Don't forget the needs of your pets! Consider extra leashes, food and water (and bowls), treats, toys, and copies of their vaccination records.
Make sure everyone in your home knows where your emergency kit is located and what it contains. Building an emergency kit does not need to be expensive. Use extra items you already have at home or purchase any missing pieces over time to reduce the financial impact.