Severe Storm Preparedness Checklist

Published on 3 April 2025 at 09:59

Severe Storm Preparedness Checklist

Severe storms can bring damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding. Having a well-prepared plan and the right supplies can make a critical difference. Use this checklist to ensure you and your family are ready before, during, and after the storm.

⸻

📌 BEFORE THE STORM: PREPARE IN ADVANCE

📝 Create a Severe Weather Plan

✔ Identify a safe room (basement, storm shelter, or an interior room with no windows).

✔ Establish a family communication plan in case you get separated.

✔ Set up multiple emergency alert systems:

• NOAA Weather Radio

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone

• Local news apps or emergency management alerts

✔ Plan for power outages—determine alternative power sources for essential devices.

✔ Secure outdoor objects (furniture, grills, trampolines) that can become projectiles.

✔ Learn how to shut off utilities (gas, water, electricity) if necessary.

⸻

🎒 Emergency Kit Checklist (72-Hour Supply Minimum)

⛑️ Essentials

✔ Water – 1 gallon per person per day (3-day minimum)

✔ Non-perishable food – Canned goods, protein bars, dry foods

✔ Manual can opener (if food requires one)

✔ Flashlights & extra batteries

✔ NOAA weather radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)

✔ Backup power sources – Power banks, solar chargers, generators

✔ First-aid kit – Bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, prescription medications

✔ Cash – ATMs may not work during power outages

✔ Multi-tool or pocket knife

✔ N95 masks (for debris/dust protection)

📡 Communication & Navigation

✔ NOAA Weather Radio – Frequencies listed below

✔ Fully charged cell phones & backup battery banks

✔ Two-way radios (GMRS/FRS/HAM) for local communication

✔ Paper maps with marked evacuation routes

👕 Clothing & Personal Gear

✔ Sturdy shoes/boots (for post-storm debris)

✔ Extra clothing & rain gear

✔ Work gloves & safety goggles

🏠 Shelter & Comfort

✔ Sleeping bags or blankets

✔ Extra towels & tarps

✔ Plastic sheeting & duct tape (for temporary repairs)

🛠️ Home Protection & Tools

✔ Fire extinguisher

✔ Plastic bags, zip ties (for waste management)

✔ Basic toolkit (hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)

⸻

🌪️ DURING THE STORM: STAY SAFE

✅ Stay inside, away from windows and exterior walls.

✅ Take shelter in your safe room.

✅ Monitor emergency alerts from NOAA or local authorities.

✅ If in a vehicle:

• Do NOT try to outrun a tornado. Seek a sturdy building.

• If flooding occurs, turn around, don’t drown—never drive through floodwaters.

✅ If power goes out, unplug electronics to avoid damage from power surges.

⸻

🚨 AFTER THE STORM: ASSESS & RECOVER

✅ Check yourself and family members for injuries.

✅ Avoid downed power lines—assume they are live.

✅ Use a flashlight (not candles) to check for gas leaks.

✅ Contact family members and emergency services if needed.

✅ Photograph storm damage for insurance claims.

✅ Follow local guidance on water safety before drinking tap water.

⸻

📡 NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24/7 with alerts for severe weather, natural disasters, and other hazards. These frequencies vary by location but are within the VHF Public Service Band (162.400–162.550 MHz).

Frequency (MHz) NOAA Channel

162.400 WX2

162.425 WX4

162.450 WX5

162.475 WX3

162.500 WX6

162.525 WX7

162.550 WX1

🔗 Find your local NOAA frequency: https://www.weather.gov/nwr/station_listing

⸻

Final Thoughts

Being prepared for severe weather isn’t just about having supplies—it’s about having a plan and ensuring your family knows what to do when the time comes. Stay weather-aware, practice your emergency plan, and always have multiple ways to receive alerts.

For customized preparedness plans, I offer one-on-one training and guidance through my Patreon membership. Let’s build a strategy that keeps you and your family safe.

Severe Storm Preparedness Checklist

Severe Storm Preparedness Checklist

Severe storms can bring damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding. Having a well-prepared plan and the right supplies can make a critical difference. Use this checklist to ensure you and your family are ready before, during, and after the storm.

⸻

📌 BEFORE THE STORM: PREPARE IN ADVANCE

📝 Create a Severe Weather Plan

✔ Identify a safe room (basement, storm shelter, or an interior room with no windows).

✔ Establish a family communication plan in case you get separated.

✔ Set up multiple emergency alert systems:

• NOAA Weather Radio

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone

• Local news apps or emergency management alerts

✔ Plan for power outages—determine alternative power sources for essential devices.

✔ Secure outdoor objects (furniture, grills, trampolines) that can become projectiles.

✔ Learn how to shut off utilities (gas, water, electricity) if necessary.

⸻

🎒 Emergency Kit Checklist (72-Hour Supply Minimum)

⛑️ Essentials

✔ Water – 1 gallon per person per day (3-day minimum)

✔ Non-perishable food – Canned goods, protein bars, dry foods

✔ Manual can opener (if food requires one)

✔ Flashlights & extra batteries

✔ NOAA weather radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)

✔ Backup power sources – Power banks, solar chargers, generators

✔ First-aid kit – Bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, prescription medications

✔ Cash – ATMs may not work during power outages

✔ Multi-tool or pocket knife

✔ N95 masks (for debris/dust protection)

📡 Communication & Navigation

✔ NOAA Weather Radio – Frequencies listed below

✔ Fully charged cell phones & backup battery banks

✔ Two-way radios (GMRS/FRS/HAM) for local communication

✔ Paper maps with marked evacuation routes

👕 Clothing & Personal Gear

✔ Sturdy shoes/boots (for post-storm debris)

✔ Extra clothing & rain gear

✔ Work gloves & safety goggles

🏠 Shelter & Comfort

✔ Sleeping bags or blankets

✔ Extra towels & tarps

✔ Plastic sheeting & duct tape (for temporary repairs)

🛠️ Home Protection & Tools

✔ Fire extinguisher

✔ Plastic bags, zip ties (for waste management)

✔ Basic toolkit (hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.)

⸻

🌪️ DURING THE STORM: STAY SAFE

✅ Stay inside, away from windows and exterior walls.

✅ Take shelter in your safe room.

✅ Monitor emergency alerts from NOAA or local authorities.

✅ If in a vehicle:

• Do NOT try to outrun a tornado. Seek a sturdy building.

• If flooding occurs, turn around, don’t drown—never drive through floodwaters.

✅ If power goes out, unplug electronics to avoid damage from power surges.

⸻

🚨 AFTER THE STORM: ASSESS & RECOVER

✅ Check yourself and family members for injuries.

✅ Avoid downed power lines—assume they are live.

✅ Use a flashlight (not candles) to check for gas leaks.

✅ Contact family members and emergency services if needed.

✅ Photograph storm damage for insurance claims.

✅ Follow local guidance on water safety before drinking tap water.

⸻

📡 NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24/7 with alerts for severe weather, natural disasters, and other hazards. These frequencies vary by location but are within the VHF Public Service Band (162.400–162.550 MHz).

Frequency (MHz) NOAA Channel

162.400 WX2

162.425 WX4

162.450 WX5

162.475 WX3

162.500 WX6

162.525 WX7

162.550 WX1

🔗 Find your local NOAA frequency: https://www.weather.gov/nwr/station_listing

⸻

Final Thoughts

Being prepared for severe weather isn’t just about having supplies—it’s about having a plan and ensuring your family knows what to do when the time comes. Stay weather-aware, practice your emergency plan, and always have multiple ways to receive alerts.

For customized preparedness plans, I offer one-on-one training and guidance through my Patreon membership. Let’s build a strategy that keeps you and your family safe.

Stay prepared, stay safe!

— Joe Bivens