some Items are of course more needed at specific locations than at other locations to have on stock.
I live in the little Town of Cabeza de Toro on the East/Punta Cana,
so on a Storm's approach we catch Rain Water to be used for dishwashing and showering, b'c our watersupply depends on a automatic waterpump for the pressure, no electricity means here no water.
water for the Toilets we have plenty for Free right in front of the Door, the Salty Ocean.
you need Lightning to not breake your neck when walking to the bathroom in the middle of a starless cloudy night, even more important if you have small children, it calms them down a lot and leave's them in a much better Mood when lights in all rooms and to play some evening games are available.
we use for that Oillamps, cheap, simple and they even work outside even in heavy wind, sure we have Batterylighters in the House, they are anyways placed around the Beds in all sleeping rooms, in case for what ever reason the lights would go out all around the Year, don't forget to have spare batteries for your lights available.
to store batteries over longer time periods without loosing their powers, pack then in a dry bag, perfect are Ziplock Bags, and store them in the Fridge.
if you use Oillamps like We do, don't forget to have a few small Bottles for refueling in the house, keep that stuff always out of the reach of your children.
store on Food that would not damage too quick after the Fridge has no more electricity. after the elec goes away, do not open your fridge too often, only when really needed, and then take out right away all Items you may need the next hour, the cool temp in the closed fridge will keep your food cold much longer that way.
very important is Drinking water, I would Store one 5 Gallons Bottle per Person in the household, counting Only for Drinking, much more in case you want to use that water also for washing etc.
make sure that your Propane Tank is filled up, cooking on Propane is anyways usual here on the Island, who usually cooks on electric stoves should have a small 1 or 2 flames camping stove in the house and a small bottle of Propane which is enough for some days of cooking without electricity.
smokers like myself sure want to have a spare box of their favorite killers in the house.
in case of drinks, I love Presidente Beers myself, but very unsuitable to stock and keep on the right Temp in case the electricity goes down for several days, here Wine is the much better solution, because a good wine needs no cooling.
If a Storm, doesn't matter how strong or Weak it is, Hits right at your Area,
the first and simple Rule is Do Never Ever Under NO Circumstances Leave Your House!!!
wait til all the wind is over for sure,
unless there is an emergency like a needed hospital visit, do NOT drive on the streets, such traffick in the first place simply hinders the rescuers to travel on Duty, they do not need spectators out there, and 2ndly many areas are dangerous to drive due electricity poles and Trees who may still stand but are due to fall down any moment even after the rough winds stopped.
always check on your Neighbours after the wind stopped, specially when you have elderly People living next Door.
don't get upset on your stupid neighbours who did not prepare anything and did not store enough Food or drinking water, simply share what ever you can.
in case we ever get a straight Hit of a real Big Boy, stay in the safest Room of your House during the Hours of the hardest Blow, in my case that is the Bathroom, no windows, so no breaking Glass, in case of a Mayor Hurricane hitting my place Me and the Mrs really would bring a lil table into that Bathroom and make ourselfes with some drinks and snacks comfo in the Shower area, lol.
Mike