Wind, hail, lightning, and tornado. Rain that got in through the opening is included. Not a flood.
Shingles, siding, and fence panels torn off.
Bruised shingles, cracked siding, and broken glass.
A strike on the roof, attic, or panel. Make it safe, then repair.
Board-up and tarp first, then roof, walls, and windows.
Dry and patch where the storm opened the house. Not a flood.
Tell us what happened and where. A local pro will be in touch.
5 hurricanes and 35 tornadoes survived. This is DC’s storm kit, picked for the hours and days after the lights go out: backup power, water, light, a weather radio, first aid and food. Every pick opens on Amazon in a new tab.
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Keep the fridge, phones, lights and Wi-Fi going when the grid goes down. Gas inverter generators handle the big loads; battery power stations and a solar power bank cover quiet power for devices.
Solar generator kit
A 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station with 1,800W rated AC output, sold as a kit with a 200W solar panel (the listing says the panel ships separately).
Check what the kit includes and which appliances fit within 1,800W before buying.
View on Amazon
#2Gas inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 2,350 surge / 1,900 running watts, about 39 lb, with a fuel shutoff feature.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a WEN inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#3Power station
A 292Wh portable power station with 300W rated AC output (600W surge), 2 AC outlets, a USB-C PD port, and a weight of about 7.5 lb.
Best for phones, laptops, lights and small devices. Check device wattage first.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a Jackery power station, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#4Open-frame inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 4,400 peak / 3,400 running watts, with an RV outlet and a 2-gallon tank with fuel gauge.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a open-frame inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: P1898, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#5Solar power bank
A 49,800mAh power bank with a solar panel, wireless charging, 4 built-in cables and 22.5W fast charging.
Solar charging is slow. Charge it fully from a wall outlet before a storm.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a solar power bank, not this exact model. Photo: Pinguinguy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Store it, filter it, or pull it from the air. Ready.gov suggests at least one gallon of water per person per day, for several days.
Water jugs
Two 5-gallon BPA-free HDPE water jugs with a spigot and two cap openings.
Clean and refill stored water on a regular schedule.
View on AmazonWater bladder
A food-grade TPU water bladder that holds 60 gallons and folds flat when empty, with a 3/4-inch garden-hose thread fitting.
A full 60-gallon bladder is very heavy. Set it on a surface that can carry the weight.
View on AmazonWater filter
A push-button pump filter for river, lake or stream water. It recharges by USB-C, a built-in solar panel or a hand crank, and the listing rates one filter core at 5,000 liters.
Follow the maker’s directions for treating water before drinking.
View on AmazonWater from air
A plug-in (110V) unit the listing says makes up to 10 liters of cold drinking water a day from the air, with no plumbing.
Needs electrical power to run. Check the listing for output conditions and filter care.
View on AmazonLight to work by after dark, a NOAA weather radio for alerts, and push-to-talk radios to keep the crew or family in touch.
#10LED lantern
An LED lantern with 3 light modes (daylight white, full brightness, warm white), a top handle and a base hook. The shade comes off for a shorter light.
Check the listing for battery type and runtime.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a LED camping lantern, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Work light
A 3-head LED flood light rated at 15,000 lumens and 6500K, with a 1.6 m stand. It runs on DeWalt 20V batteries.
Tool only: battery and charger are not included.
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#12Weather radio
A NOAA/AM/FM radio with a 12,000mAh battery that charges by solar panel, hand crank or USB-C, or runs on 3 AAA batteries.
Check that NOAA weather radio reaches your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a emergency crank radio, not this exact model. Photo: Morn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#134G walkie-talkies
Push-to-talk radios that use 4G cellular (PoC) instead of radio range. The listing says a SIM with lifetime free data is included. 2,500mAh battery, USB-C charging.
Uses the cellular network, so check service in your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a walkie-talkies, not this exact model. Photo: Wtshymanski at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A well-stocked first aid kit and meals that need no fridge.
#14First aid kit
A 430-piece kit in a labeled, compartmented 1680D polyester bag, with bandages, gloves, a CPR face shield, a tourniquet and a first aid manual.
A kit is not a substitute for first aid training or emergency care.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a first aid kit, not this exact model. Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#15Emergency food
Freeze-dried entrées, up to 120 servings, in a flood-safe bucket with a handle. The listing says it lasts up to 25 years in cool, dry storage.
Check servings, calories and allergens on the listing.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a freeze-dried emergency food, not this exact model. Photo: Gigs, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons