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Practical checklists, emergency kit guidance, local planning tools, and carefully selected supplies to help families prepare with confidence.
Start with water, light, radio, phone power, first aid, and shelf-stable food.
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Choose your route, photograph documents, and buy the missing basics before alerts make shelves harder to trust.
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Start With The Essentials
Use the core guides first, then expand into supplies, power planning, and official storm resources.
Today's Prep Challenge
Flood Risk Snapshot
Check your county flood zone and save the official map link.
Share one practical tip daily to bring neighbors back into the prep loop.
Hurricane Checklist
Step-by-step actions from a week before landfall through after-storm cleanup.
Read guideEmergency Kit
Build a practical 7-day kit with water, food, lighting, power, documents, and pet supplies.
Read guideSupply List
Shop hurricane kit categories with sponsored Amazon links and plain-English buyer notes.
Read guideLive Storm Tracker
View official-feed status, active storm summaries, NHC outlook items, and NWS alert summaries.
Read guideGenerator Guide
Compare generator types, sizing basics, transfer switches, and carbon monoxide safety.
Read guideCurrent Atlantic Storm Status
NHC source available7 active Atlantic tropical cyclone feed item(s) returned by NHC.
Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
000 ABNT20 KNHC 121750 TWOAT Tropical Weather Outlook NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 200 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America: Active Systems: The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on newly formed Tropical Storm Cristobal, located over the Atlantic west-southwest of the Azores. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL92): An area of showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave is located about 950 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development during the next couple of days, and a tropical depression will likely form while the system moves westward to west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic. * Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave located several hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are forecast to be generally conducive for some development of this system during the next several days while it moves westward or west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. * Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days...medium...40 percent. && Public Advisories on Tropical Storm Cristobal are issued under WMO header WTNT33 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCPAT3. Forecast/Advisories on Tropical Storm Cristobal are issued under WMO header WTNT23 KNHC and under AWIPS header MIATCMAT3. $$ Forecaster Adams/Pasch
NHC sourceSummary for Tropical Storm Cristobal (AT3/AL032026)
...TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC... As of 3:00 PM GMT Wed Aug 12 the center of Cristobal was located near 36.7, -43.0 with movement E at 25 mph. The minimum central pressure was 1008 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph.
NHC sourceTropical Storm Cristobal Public Advisory Number 1
Issued at 300 PM GMT Wed Aug 12 2026 000 WTNT33 KNHC 121449 TCPAT3 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Cristobal Advisory Number 1 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032026 300 PM GMT Wed Aug 12 2026 ...TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC... SUMMARY OF 300 PM GMT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...36.7N 43.0W ABOUT 880 MI...1420 KM W OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...E OR 90 DEGREES AT 25 MPH...41 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1008 MB...29.77 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 300 PM GMT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Cristobal was located near latitude 36.7 North, longitude 43.0 West. Cristobal is moving quickly toward the east near 25 mph (41 km/h). A turn toward the east-northeast and a slower forward motion is expected later today and tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Slow weakening is forecast, and Cristobal is forecast to dissipate on Thursday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 900 PM GMT. $$ Forecaster Adams/Cangialosi
NHC sourceTropical Storm Cristobal Forecast Advisory Number 1
Issued at 1500 UTC WED AUG 12 2026 000 WTNT23 KNHC 121449 TCMAT3 TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 1 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL032026 1500 UTC WED AUG 12 2026 TROPICAL STORM CENTER LOCATED NEAR 36.7N 43.0W AT 12/1500Z POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN 20 NM PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE EAST OR 90 DEGREES AT 22 KT ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 1008 MB MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 40 KT WITH GUSTS TO 50 KT. 34 KT....... 0NE 80SE 0SW 0NW. WINDS AND SEAS VARY GREATLY IN EACH QUADRANT. RADII IN NAUTICAL MILES ARE THE LARGEST RADII EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THAT QUADRANT. REPEAT...CENTER LOCATED NEAR 36.7N 43.0W AT 12/1500Z AT 12/1200Z CENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR 36.8N 43.9W FORECAST VALID 13/0000Z 37.4N 40.2W MAX WIND 35 KT...GUSTS 45 KT. 34 KT... 0NE 60SE 0SW 0NW. FORECAST VALID 13/1200Z 38.5N 37.2W MAX WIND 30 KT...GUSTS 40 KT. FORECAST VALID 14/0000Z...DISSIPATED REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 36.7N 43.0W NEXT ADVISORY AT 12/2100Z $$ FORECASTER ADAMS/CANGIALOSI
NHC sourceTropical Storm Cristobal Forecast Discussion Number 1
Issued at 300 PM GMT Wed Aug 12 2026 000 WTNT43 KNHC 121451 TCDAT3 Tropical Storm Cristobal Discussion Number 1 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032026 300 PM GMT Wed Aug 12 2026 The circulation associated with the area of low pressure we have been monitoring well east-northeast of Bermuda over the past several days has become better defined today. A recent ASCAT pass revealed an area of 35-40 kt winds southeast of the slightly elongated and exposed center, within the region of convection. While the convective organization has degraded since earlier this morning, scatterometer data indicate that the system has achieved tropical storm status, and it likely reached that threshold earlier this morning. Therefore, advisories are being initiated on Tropical Storm Cristobal, with the initial intensity set to 40 kt. Cristobal is moving quickly eastward around 22 kt over marginally favorable sea surface temperatures near 25 C. The storm is currently positioned between a subtropical high to the south, and a ridge extending over the north-central Atlantic to the northeast. A turn toward the northeast, accompanied by a gradual decrease in forward speed, is expected later today and tonight as Cristobal moves along the southwestern periphery of the northern Atlantic ridge. Slow weakening is forecast during this period as the storm moves over progressively cooler waters and encounters increasingly dry mid-level air and stronger northerly wind shear. Cristobal is expected to be short-lived and dissipate on Thursday. The official NHC track and intensity forecasts lie near the middle of the consensus guidance and are closest to the HCCA solution. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 12/1500Z 36.7N 43.0W 40 KT 45 MPH 12H 13/0000Z 37.4N 40.2W 35 KT 40 MPH 24H 13/1200Z 38.5N 37.2W 30 KT 35 MPH 36H 14/0000Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Adams/Cangialosi
NHC sourceTropical Storm Cristobal Wind Speed Probabilities Number 1
Issued at 1500 UTC WED AUG 12 2026 000 FONT13 KNHC 121450 PWSAT3 TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL WIND SPEED PROBABILITIES NUMBER 1 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL032026 1500 UTC WED AUG 12 2026 AT 1500Z THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM CRISTOBAL WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 36.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 43.0 WEST WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 40 KTS...45 MPH...75 KM/H. Z INDICATES COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (GREENWICH) ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME (AST)...SUBTRACT 4 HOURS FROM Z TIME EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT)...SUBTRACT 4 HOURS FROM Z TIME CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME (CDT)...SUBTRACT 5 HOURS FROM Z TIME WIND SPEED PROBABILITY TABLE FOR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS CHANCES OF SUSTAINED (1-MINUTE AVERAGE) WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST ...34 KT (39 MPH... 63 KM/H)... ...50 KT (58 MPH... 93 KM/H)... ...64 KT (74 MPH...119 KM/H)... FOR LOCATIONS AND TIME PERIODS DURING THE NEXT 5 DAYS PROBABILITIES FOR LOCATIONS ARE GIVEN AS OP(CP) WHERE OP IS THE PROBABILITY OF THE EVENT BEGINNING DURING AN INDIVIDUAL TIME PERIOD (ONSET PROBABILITY) (CP) IS THE PROBABILITY OF THE EVENT OCCURRING BETWEEN 12Z WED AND THE FORECAST HOUR (CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY) PROBABILITIES ARE GIVEN IN PERCENT X INDICATES PROBABILITIES LESS THAN 1 PERCENT PROBABILITIES FOR 34 KT AND 50 KT ARE SHOWN AT A GIVEN LOCATION WHEN THE 5-DAY CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY IS AT LEAST 3 PERCENT. PROBABILITIES FOR 34...50...64 KT SHOWN WHEN THE 5-DAY 64-KT CUMULATIVE PROBABILITY IS AT LEAST 1 PERCENT. - - - - WIND SPEED PROBABILITIES FOR SELECTED LOCATIONS - - - - FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM FROM TIME 12Z WED 00Z THU 12Z THU 00Z FRI 12Z FRI 12Z SAT 12Z SUN PERIODS TO TO TO TO TO TO TO 00Z THU 12Z THU 00Z FRI 12Z FRI 12Z SAT 12Z SUN 12Z MON FORECAST HOUR (12) (24) (36) (48) (72) (96) (120) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LOCATION KT $$ FORECASTER ADAMS/CANGIALOSI
NHC sourceTropical Storm Cristobal Graphics
Wind Speed Probabilities last updated Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:22:54 GMT
NHC sourceFlorida & Other State Tax Savings for Preparedness Supplies
Some states offer tax relief or sales-tax-holiday rules for preparedness supplies, and Florida shoppers may also qualify for state-specific exemptions. Check your state revenue department before buying so you know what applies where you live.
Check Florida disaster prep tax pageView Florida sales tax holiday updatesCheck other states’ sales tax holiday rules
Product eligibility, price caps, and timing can change. Confirm details directly with your state revenue department or tax authority before buying.
Help-first planning
Preparing should not depend on having a big budget.
If money is tight, focus first on actions that reduce risk without spending much: documents, alerts, routes, medication, food rotation, neighbors, and local assistance.
Start with no-cost prep
Photograph documents, save emergency numbers, freeze water bottles, choose a meetup contact, and move valuables off the floor.
Find local support
Use 211, county emergency management, Red Cross shelter tools, and official local alerts before conditions get dangerous.
Protect claims later
Take before-storm photos, keep receipts, record serial numbers, and document damage before cleanup when it is safe.
Preparedness Guide
Plain-English planning steps for families, renters, homeowners, pet owners, and anyone preparing for power outages.
Know your risk
Understand surge, flood, wind, and evacuation risks before watches are issued.
Read guideProtect documents
Make waterproof and digital copies of insurance, IDs, prescriptions, and contacts.
Read guidePrepare your home
Secure loose items, check shutters, clean drains, and plan for water intrusion.
Read guideAfter-storm safety
Avoid floodwater, downed lines, unsafe generator placement, and spoiled food.
Read guidePet Safety Tips Area
Pet Safety Tips
Build a pet-ready storm plan before watches begin: at least 5 days of food and water, medications, vaccination records, a safe carrier or crate for each animal, updated microchip information, and a pet-friendly shelter or hotel plan.
County Hurricane Prep Hubs
Local pages for evacuation planning, emergency contacts, fuel readiness, and quick supply actions.
FL
Miami-Dade Hurricane Prep
South Florida
FL
Hillsborough Hurricane Prep
Tampa Bay
FL
Duval Hurricane Prep
Northeast Florida
FL
Broward Hurricane Prep
Southeast Florida
FL
Palm Beach Hurricane Prep
Treasure Coast / South Florida
TX
Harris Hurricane Prep
Greater Houston
Buyer Guides
Focused guides for the highest-intent supply decisions: water, weather radio, backup power, and generator choices.
Best Hurricane Supplies
A quick buyer guide for the first supplies to buy before a storm.
Read guidePortable Power Stations
Compare battery backup options for phones, lights, radios, and small essentials.
Read guideSolar vs Gas Generator
Understand the tradeoffs before choosing backup power.
Read guideNOAA Weather Radio
Why this belongs in almost every hurricane kit.
Read guideShop Helpful Emergency Supplies
Affiliate-supported hurricane kit categories with practical buyer notes. Compare current products, safety details, and availability before buying.
Affiliate disclosure: this site may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through sponsored links, at no extra cost to you.
Water
EssentialReliance Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Water Container Pack
Rigid emergency water containers for storing household drinking and sanitation water before a storm threatens.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: A direct item recommendation for people who need a simple, obvious first hurricane-kit purchase.
Bottled water works too, but containers are easier to refill and store by household size.
Communication
EssentialMidland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio
A battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio helps you receive official weather alerts.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Look for NOAA Weather Radio, tone alerts, battery backup, and hand-crank or solar charging.
Phone alerts are useful, but batteries and cell networks can fail.
Lighting
EssentialLED flashlights and headlamps
Hands-free lighting is useful for cleanup, checking breakers, and moving safely during outages.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Buy enough for each adult and store spare batteries with them.
Phone flashlights drain the device you may need for calls and alerts.
Power
ImportantJackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
A rechargeable power station can keep phones, radios, and small essentials charged.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Compare watt-hours, output ports, recharge options, and medical-device needs.
A power station is not a generator; it is quieter, indoor-safe when used as directed, and limited by battery capacity.
Solar generator
ImportantJackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 With 200W Solar Panel
A portable power station bundled with solar panels can recharge small-device backup power when grid power is out and sunlight is available.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Compare watt-hours, AC output, solar input watts, panel compatibility, recharge time, and battery chemistry.
Solar generators are limited by battery size, cloudy weather, panel placement, and recharge speed.
First aid
EssentialAmerican Red Cross 299-Piece First Aid Kit
Stock bandages, antiseptic, gloves, pain relievers, and basic wound-care supplies.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Add prescriptions and household-specific medical supplies separately.
Prebuilt kits are a base, not a substitute for personal medications.
Flood defense
ImportantSandbag Flood Barrier Kit
A practical flood-defense option for homeowners and renters who want to reduce water intrusion around doors and low points.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Use sandbags as part of a bigger flood plan, not as a substitute for official evacuation guidance.
Sandbags help with short-term water control, but they do not replace evacuation orders or proper drainage planning.
Wood supplies
ImportantTreated Lumber for Storm Repairs
Treated wood is useful for temporary repairs, shutters, and other storm-damage fix-up projects after conditions are safe.
Why this is listed: practical preparedness fit, strong category relevance, and easy comparison for storm planning.
Buyer's note: Match the wood type and length to the repair you plan to make before buying.
This is not a full repair kit, but it supports short-term storm recovery work.
Close the biggest kit gaps first.
If you only do one thing today, build the six-item starter kit: water storage, NOAA radio, flashlights, phone power, first aid, and shelf-stable food. Then move to your checklist and local county hub.
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