USA Today posts hurricane emergency-kit checklist

USA Today published a hurricane emergency-kit checklist on June 1 as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season began, pointing readers to the supplies needed for both a quick evacuation and staying at home through disruptions. The article listed water, nonperishable food, batteries, first-aid supplies and copies of important documents among the basics to gather before a storm. The guidance came as federal forecasters said this year’s Atlantic season is expected to be below normal, while warning that lower overall storm counts do not remove local risk. NOAA said the season runs from June 1 through November 30. ### What did USA Today tell readers to pack first? USA Today said on June 1 that people preparing for hurricane season should start with an emergency kit that can work as both a go-bag and a home supply cache. Its checklist highlighted water, shelf-stable food, flashlights or other light sources, batteries, first-aid supplies and copies of key records for use during an evacuation or prolonged power outage. The publication also pointed readers toward items that can speed a departure. Copies of identification, insurance papers and other important documents were included for evacuation planning, alongside the basic food, water and medical supplies households may need if they leave quickly. ### How does that compare with federal preparedness guidance? FEMA says a basic disaster supplies kit should include water at one gallon per person per day, with a three-day supply for evacuation and a two-week supply for home use. FEMA also lists non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, sanitation items and medical supplies among the minimum items for emergency planning. Ready.gov gives similar advice. The federal preparedness site says households may need to survive on their own for several days after an emergency and should keep enough food, water and supplies on hand to get through that period. ### Why are documents and medicines part of a hurricane kit? FEMA includes medications and medical items in its basic kit guidance, reflecting the risk that pharmacies, clinics and transportation can be disrupted after a storm. USA Today’s checklist also included first-aid supplies and personal records, which can matter if families need to check into shelters, file insurance claims or replace lost identification after evacuation. CDC guidance updated May 28 said people should prepare for hurricane season by gathering supplies and making plans for whether they will evacuate or stay home. The agency said families should know what to do if they are told to leave and should get their home, car and household ready before a storm threatens. ### What does “below-average season” mean this year? NOAA said in its May 21 outlook that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has a 55% chance of being below normal, a 35% chance of being near normal and a 10% chance of being above normal. The agency forecast 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. NOAA also said it had 70% confidence in those ranges. USA Today separately reported that forecasters still urged preparation despite the lower seasonal outlook. ### What should readers do next if they have not built a kit? Ready.gov says households should build a disaster kit before an emergency and keep enough supplies to last several days. FEMA’s checklist says those supplies should cover both evacuation and sheltering at home, with documents stored safely and medications included. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts until November 30, according to NOAA, and USA Today’s June 1 checklist remains available on its weather coverage pages alongside other hurricane-preparedness articles.