Why in the world would someone laugh about an emergency kit? Obviously he was never a boyscout. (ha) :P
I've been through A LOT of hurricanes in my life (grew up all along the Gulf of Mexico) and I do not panic. But I also know that you need to be prepared for some basic inconveniences....and if being prepared for "whatever" helps you feel more comfortable and safe, even if not necessary, more power to ya. I have to admit I am a little skittish of hurricanes now. Katrina was the last one I sat through, which was unnerving, to say the least. I left for north TX after Katrina. Now I'm back by water again: In June we bought a house a few miles from the beach, in SC. Dang. They say a bad hurricane is extremely rare...and yet, here we are, 2 months later, lol. I'm thrilled.
We have 2 walk in closets in the master bedroom. Mine is a nice square closet off the bathroom. We probably don't need a "safe room" because I don't think this place has tornadoes (?) but I just feel more comfortable doing things the way I always did (TX, LA, AL---they had tornadoes). Chose that space because it's big enough for all 4 of us, no windows, not really used too much, etc. I have it organized (at all times!) with rolled up sleeping bags and 3 packed duffle bags in case we need to go quickly, a file box that holds what we'd need in a pinch (all our personal id stuff, shot records, titles to the cars/house, insurances, and flash drives (specifically for our digital photos and tax info, lol) and a list of our medications, doctor and pharmacy info)and a crate that has extra batteries, 2 of those flashlights that unfold and light up the room, a large lantern, a great Red Cross weather radio that uses batteries, has a solar panel, and a crank and that also charges cellphones, a full first aid kit, and random "stuff". I also included a pack of cards, a couple kids' books, and some travel games. You can go to the Red Cross website for a checklist of what you should prepare for a hurricane. (Lots of odds and ends like a multitool, tape, an old corded phone that you can buy for $5 now since portable phones don't work with no electricity, things you wouldn't think about if you didn't have the list). Also, even though I have the lights and stuff in the closet's crate (for easy carrying), we also have a flashlight in a designated area of every room: the top drawer in both boys' rooms, one in the boys' bathroom closet, one on the guest nightstand, one in each of our nightstands, one in the kitchen junk drawer, one in the playroom, one in each car's glove box. Some may think that's excessive, but if the power goes out, I wouldn't want to grope and feel all over the house trying to get to one spot.
Have cash on hand because if phones are down, you can't use debit/credit cards. I remember a few days after Katrina I had enough and was heading to TX...was driving a couple hours and pulled in at a Taco Bell. They had a sign that said "exact change only". Basically they couldn't use the cash registers or card machines, so you either paid $5 for 1 taco, or bought 5 tacos, lol. Previous homes if we didn't have storm shutters and doors that you can lock from inside, then we'd at least use duct tape to make an "X" to keep glass from shattering all over the place if something hit it. Here, I noticed we have custom cut wood things for each door/window....just need to figure out how that works, because I have no idea, lol.
Make sure obviously that you have food for at least 3 days (I say a week because IF the roads flooded or whatever, the stores may not get replenished). Things you don't need to cook are easiest, but if you have gas or a grill you can bring back out after the storm, you can heat water for oatmeal, heat up soups and rice, etc. We have a couple cases of water bottles in the bottom of our pantry that we don't really use except for trips or whatever. We also have a deep freezer with those gallon jugs of Hawaiian punch juices...when we finish drinking one, I wash it with soap and rinse it, then fill it 2/3 full and put it in the deep freezer. (Basically, you want a gallon/day/person...for at least 3 days. The reasoning is that you need to drink a certain amount in high heat/humidity to be safe, and you need some potable water to cook with even if minimal, you still need it). Year round, this helps with energy efficiency in my deep freezer, but also in a pinch it keeps food cold longer and yes you can drink it later if needed, like Cheryl mentioned. (In past, I've really just been happy it's there when we lose power for an hour or 2....to keep the freezer cold, but it is handy to keep drinking/cooking water the 3 times we went DAYS without water). We always filled the bathtubs with water for toilets. And in our cars: each car has a smaller first aid kit, oil, jumper cables, work gloves, flashlight, road atlas, a can of fix a flat which isn't our first choice but good in a pinch, and a little cash, and powerbars/granola bars.
Most of these things are in place year round. I don't like having to go to the store right before a storm and fighting crowds for things. It's good to find out what possible emergencies could arise in your local area, then go to the Red Cross website (redcross.org) and print out the checklist for those possible emergencies. We don't live in "fear" or anything. But part of that is because I've already done the preparation we can.....if something happens, it's just a matter of fact method of dealing with it.
Edited: Here's some other things I didn't mention earlier, now that my checklist is out---Maps, your county's evacuation route/information highlighted in a map pencil so it doesn't bleed through, and your personal supply and "to do" checklist. Family emergency plan, pet plan, contact information for family/etc (we use the Red Cross emergency contact cards that I downloaded b/c it has all your info, contact info, emergency contacts, info for if you need medication, etc all on one card that folds to fit in your wallets), wet wipes/hand sanitizer, work gloves, vinyl gloves in your first aid kit, food bars, emergency blanket, sleeping bag or blankets for comfort and pillows if you want to leave and crash at someone's house, sewing kit, ponchos or at least large trashbags, 1 duct tape, whistles on a neckcord you'd wear (I know that sounds stupid, but not if you've had to search for people), a first aid kit at home and in cars, a hygiene/toiletries kit (travel sized shaving stuff, feminine stuff, toothbrushes, deodorants, etc), needs and comfort stuff for babies/young children (favorite blanky, pacifiers, entertainment included), bug spray, sunscreen, camera (even just a disposable) to record damage for insurance, corded phone, cash, neighbors' contact information, tools/supplies for securing your home, a multipurpose tool, keep cars fuel tanks full, pet care items (imunization records, proper id, food/water/kennel, leash), glasses, sunglasses, medicine. Paper/plastic plates, cups, cutlery, manual can openers and basic camping equipment. If you just have all this stuff easily accessible all year round, it's just "easier" to gather and then make up your mind whether you're staying or going. This hurricane won't be "that" bad, in my opinion. But I don't want to be inconvenienced, or take a chance. :P
