Household calculator
Size the whole list in one step.
Choose the number of people and pets. Every shopping-list card below updates immediately.
Private by design: calculations stay in this browser. Nothing is submitted, saved, tracked, or sent anywhere.
People use the existing adult food baseline. The pet-water allowance is a conservative 1 gallon per pet per day for drinking and basic care. Pet food is seven days of each pet’s normal portions. Adjust for children, medical diets, pet species, size, climate, and veterinary advice.
This is a planning baseline, not a substitute for individual needs. Review every calculated amount for allergies, disabilities, prescriptions, infants, older adults, and pets. An evacuation order always overrides a plan to shelter at home.
Water
Stored water is the primary supply; treatment is backup.
Water rule: CDC’s minimum is one gallon per person per day, with a two-week supply preferred when possible. Commercially bottled water is safest; refill home-filled food-grade containers every six months. Filters and tablets do not make saltwater or chemically contaminated floodwater safe. CDC guidance ↗
No-cook food
Aim for roughly 14,000 calories per adult and rotate what you already eat.
Count calories from the actual labels before storing everything. Account for diabetes, allergies, low-sodium diets, infants, and pets. Ready.gov checklist ↗
Information, light & phone power
Layer battery, rechargeable, car, and broadcast options.
NOAA Weather Radio works without cellular internet and can carry weather and other emergency information. National Weather Service ↗
Medical & safety
Personal medication matters more than a giant generic first-aid pouch.
Sanitation
Plan for water and sewer service to fail at the same time.
Hurricane tools & storage
Keep the kit accessible, labeled, and above expected flood level.
Offline essentials
Especially useful when payment, communications, or identity systems are down.
Optional power upgrade
Useful for a CPAP, laptops, and communications equipment.
Generator safety: A gasoline generator is not a generic indoor backup. Generators, grills, and camp stoves stay outdoors—at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents—with a working CO alarm inside. CDC generator guidance ↗
Expected budget
Prices and Amazon sellers change; these are planning ranges, not quotes.
Total from scratch: about $390–625. This excludes prescriptions, cash, bottled water, pet supplies, and the optional power station. Reusing sound household supplies can reduce the total considerably.
Before conditions arrive
Do these early—before roads, stores, and networks are overloaded.
Leave when ordered. Flooding, storm surge, fire, structural damage, or official evacuation instructions can make sheltering at home unsafe. CDC hurricane safety ↗