What To Put In Your Severe Weather Emergency Kits

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It's Spring time in Lubbock and while that means plants are blooming and grass is beginning to get greener, it also means severe weather season has arrived. In fact, we've already had a taste of severe weather this year with a tornado in the area, urban flooding, and a pretty big dust storm.

When most people think about severe weather, they think about tornados. But severe weather can also include hail, flooding, wind, dust storms, and wildfires. All of which we've seen before in the Lubbock area.

If we have learned anything from the pandemic and the winter storm that knocked out power for many in Texas, it is to be prepared. Fortunately, the State of Texas has a list of items that makes sense to include in your emergency kit.

• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Speaking of the last item above, there are some really good solar chargers for iPhones and Android that you can purchase.

It's also smart to prepare kits for your place of work and for your car as well. And don't forget to always make a plan and make sure family members know what the plan is if a tornado or other severe weather strikes.

And of course you can also hear severe weather coverage on KFYO and on our app.

Get more information about emergency kits and how to prepare from the Texas Division of Emergency Management's website.