A severe-weather kit should support your household through the warning itself and the disruption that can follow. Keep shelter essentials immediately accessible, then maintain a broader supply of water, food, lighting, communication tools, medications, and pet needs. Tailor quantities to the people in your home and rotate anything that expires.
What belongs in the shelter area?
Keep sturdy shoes, head protection when available, flashlights, a weather radio, backup power, first-aid basics, essential medication, identification copies, and pet restraint items where they can be reached quickly.
What supports a longer outage?
Store water and food appropriate for your household, manual can-opening tools, sanitation supplies, device chargers, spare batteries, and safe lighting. Follow official guidance for quantities and storage, and never operate fuel-burning equipment indoors.
How should you plan for children and pets?
Add comfort items, hearing protection, feeding supplies, diapers or formula as needed, pet food, carriers or leashes, current identification, and any medicine. Practice getting everyone to shelter without searching for gear.
What medical and accessibility needs matter?
Plan for refrigerated medicines, mobility devices, communication needs, backup power, service animals, and caregiver contacts. Discuss individual medical planning with qualified health professionals and local emergency resources.
How do you keep a kit useful?
Review it at least twice a year and after use. Replace expired items, recharge batteries, update documents and contacts, adjust children’s sizes and needs, and confirm that everyone can access the kit.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store?+
Use current Ready.gov guidance and adjust for household size, medical needs, pets, climate, and expected disruption. Rotate stored water according to its instructions.
Can candles be emergency lighting?+
Battery-powered lighting is generally safer because candles add fire risk, especially during storms, outages, or gas leaks.
Where should the kit go?+
Keep immediate tornado supplies at the shelter location and broader outage supplies in a cool, dry, accessible place. Do not block the route to shelter.
Sources & further reading
Accessed and reviewed Sep 10, 2026. Time-sensitive details should be confirmed at the source.
Ready.gov — build a kit↗Ready.gov — tornado safety↗National Weather Service Norman — severe weather safety↗