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Cumberland County official outlines simple ‘go kit’ checklist for storm season
Summary
A Cumberland County agency official urged residents to assemble a go kit ahead of storms with essentials such as a flashlight, nonperishable food, radios, at least 1 gallon of water per person per day (aim for three days), tools to shut off utilities, important documents, and pet supplies.
A Cumberland County agency official on Wednesday urged residents to prepare for hurricane season and other extreme weather by assembling a basic “go kit” with supplies to last at least several days. The official walked through essential items and recommended steps residents can take now to reduce risk during power outages or evacuations.
The presenter said households should start with a flashlight and nonperishable, easy-to-pack food, recommending pop-top canned goods or carrying a can opener. “We always encourage everybody to have at least 1 gallon per person per day,” the official said, adding: “Try and do 3 days.”
Radio options were highlighted as a dual source of light and information. The official showed a solar crank radio that doubles as a flashlight and described a battery-operated radio that can also be plugged in at home to receive weather notifications. Residents were urged to sign up for the Cumberland alerts program to receive official messages.
Other suggested items included masks, duct tape, a whistle, trash bags for debris cleanup, a water straw for filtration, and spare batteries for flashlights. The presenter advised keeping tools on hand to shut off utilities if necessary and recommended a first-aid kit and a tarp to make temporary repairs after storm damage.
Family- and pet-specific supplies were also covered. The official said caregivers should pack formula, wipes and bottles for infants, and recommended a phone battery backup to maintain communications. For households with pets, the presenter advised bringing pet food, shot records and kennels.
The guidance centered on practical, low-cost steps residents can take immediately to improve readiness for storms, power outages and other weather-related emergencies. The official closed by reminding listeners to collect critical documents (flood insurance and medical records) on a thumb drive and to consider keeping cash in case ATMs are unavailable.
The presenter encouraged residents to use the Cumberland alerts program for ongoing notifications and to begin assembling or updating their go kits now.
