Quick Summary
Most families have 3-5 critical gaps in storm preparedness they don't realize. A simple assessment reveals your weak spots before storms hit. Each gap has a straightforward fix you can tackle this week. Focus on progress, not perfection – even small improvements make a big difference.
Why Do Most Families Get Caught Unprepared During Storms?
Here’s a question we believe every American should ask themselves right now:
“If I got a sudden storm alert on my phone… Would I be ready?”
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), August, September, and October see the majority of storms that result in major damage in the United States.
Which means that for about the next 3 months, each and every one of us should be prepared to deal with a storm.
And that includes hurricanes, solar storms, wildfires, AND droughts.
Storm season is here—and strong.
So why are most people not prepared for them?
Well, the truth is, life gets busy. We stock up after one storm… then months pass. Batteries die. We use supplies and forget to replace them. Kids grow and need different things.
That's why the smartest approach isn't achieving perfect preparedness once – it's regularly identifying and fixing the small gaps before they become big problems.
What Are the Most Common Storm Prep Weak Spots?
After helping thousands of families prepare over the years, we see the same vulnerabilities pop up again and again.
Try walking through your house with this simple checklist:
- Can you put your hands on a flashlight in under 30 seconds?
- Do you know how many gallons of water you have stored right now?
- Could you make a hot meal if both power and gas were out?
- Is there a battery-powered radio within reach?
- Do your kids know what to do if a storm hits while you're at work?
For each "no" or hesitation, you've found a weak spot. And that's great news! Because now you can fix it.
What If You Lose Power for More Than 24 Hours?
Power outages happen much more often during this time—and they’re getting longer! What used to be a few-hour inconvenience can now stretch into days or even weeks after major storms.
Common Power Weak Spots:
- Flashlights scattered throughout the house (or missing batteries)
- No backup power for medical devices or refrigerators
- Candles but no safe way to use them
- Phone dies with no way to recharge
This Week's Fix:
Start with lighting. Create a "power outage station" in a central location. Your kitchen counter or hall closet works great. Stock it with:
- 100-Hour Candles that provide 4 straight days of light.
- A reliable flashlight with extra batteries.
- Emergency lanterns that can also charge your phone.
For backup power, consider the Grid Doctor 300. It's powerful enough for real needs (like keeping medications cold) and charges with free energy from the sun.
Do You Have Enough Clean Water When the Taps Stop Working?
Water is trickier than most people think. It's not just about drinking—it's cooking, hygiene, and sanitation too. The official recommendation is one gallon per person per day, but that's really the bare minimum.
Common Water Weak Spots:
- Storing water in old milk jugs (they degrade and leak)
- No way to purify questionable water
- Not enough water for pets
- Forgetting about water for cooking and cleaning
This Week's Fix:
Start with proper storage. Alexapure's 5-Gallon Collapsible Containers solve the biggest challenge: space. They hold serious water when you need it and fold flat when you don't.
Don't forget purification. Even if you store plenty of water, you need a backup plan. Water purification tablets take up almost no space but can make questionable water safe in about 30 minutes.
Can You Feed Your Family Without a Working Kitchen?
Here's what surprises people: having food isn't enough if you can't prepare it. That pantry full of pasta doesn't help much without a working stove.
Common Food Weak Spots:
- Plenty of food but no way to cook it
- No manual can opener
- Foods that require refrigeration
- Nothing appetizing for stressed kids
This Week's Fix:
Add some no-cook options to your supplies. Beyond just crackers and peanut butter, consider:
Freeze-dried fruits that kids LOVE to snack on.
Ready-to-eat meals that just need hot water.
Comfort foods that boost morale when things get stressful.
For cooking capability, a simple folding camp stove allows you to heat water for coffee, soup, or freeze-dried meals even if the power and gas are both out.
How Will You Stay Informed When Cell Towers Go Down?
Your smartphone is great—until the towers lose power or get overloaded. During major storms, cellular networks often fail right when you need them most.
Common Communication Weak Spots:
- No battery-powered radio
- Family members don't know where to meet
- No way to charge phones
- Missing important weather updates
This Week's Fix:
A weather radio is non-negotiable. Especially if it’s solar-powered or hand-crank so dead batteries never leave you in the dark.
But here's what most people miss: communication should also happen before the emergency. This week, have a 5-minute family meeting:
- Pick a meeting spot if you're separated
- Choose an out-of-state contact everyone can check in with
- Make sure everyone knows where the emergency supplies are
What Are the "Hidden" Gaps Most Families Miss?
Beyond the more obvious needs, some gaps only become clear during an actual emergency:
The Overlooked Weak Spots:
- No cash on hand (ATMs don't work without power)
- Prescription medications running low
- No entertainment for anxious kids
- Important documents in digital-only format
- No plan for pets
Taking Action This Week
If you identified some weak spots during this article, you still have time to fix them!
The families who weather storms best aren't the ones with the most stuff—they're the ones who identified their weak spots and fixed them with practical solutions.
Pick your biggest weak spot from the assessment above. Fix it this week. Then tackle another one next week.
By the time the next storm warning comes, you won't be rushing to empty store shelves. You'll be the calm household helping neighbors—because you took care of your weak spots when you had the chance.
Ready to fix those weak spots? Head over to Home Run Deals where we feature the best deals currently available. You can start plugging the holes in your plan while staying within budget.
