Overview
- The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season began Monday, June 1, and the National Hurricane Center is already monitoring potential tropical systems in nearby basins.
- Emergency managers and news outlets are urging people to assemble a grab‑and‑go bag now so families can leave quickly or survive short-term displacement.
- Federal guidance recommends a 72‑hour kit but several local emergency managers and stations advise building a five‑day or longer disaster supply to cover prolonged outages.
- Core items include one gallon of water per person per day, nonperishable food, a first‑aid kit, battery‑powered or NOAA radio, flashlights and extra batteries, prescription medications, and protected copies of important documents.
- Prepare for power and communication loss by fully charging phones, storing power banks or spare batteries, considering portable power stations, and using low‑cost options such as dollar‑store supplies to stretch limited budgets.