Stormy Weather

This is Severe Weather awareness week in South Dakota. We are at the northern edge of tornado alley, so we aren't prone to the same type of storms that plague many of the other plains states, especially Kansas and Oklahoma.
We do, however, get major storms that can be even more destructive than a tornado in both physical and emotional damage. No matter what the storm may be, you still need to take precautions and be prepared. You need to have a plan, have supplies and a safety space.
First-your plan. In our household notebook, I have a print out of what we need to do in case of severe weather. Our plan is to go into the "hole"-the storage room under our foyer. This is our safety space. If a storm hits and we are not at home, we have a plan to meet up at the school.
The other element is an emergency kit. I spent my teen years in Utah, so this was part of my lexicon long before hurricanes and natural disasters brought them to the weather channel. You need enough stuff-food, first aid, clothing, toilet paper and clothing-for 3 days for each family member.

To assemble, you need:
A large container (I use a rubbermaid tote)
1 gallon of water per person
Food: granola bars
Prepackaged chocolate milk (little man likes horizon farms)
Instant oatmeal packages
Canned tuna fish
Canned beans
Canned fruit
Dishes
Cups
Candy
Trail mix
Blanket
Change of clothes
Flashlights
Waterproof matches
Candles
Tarp
Can opener
Duct tape
1st aid kit
Hygiene supplies
Hand sanitizer
Soap
Pet supplies
Towels
Tylenol
Toys
Personal document grab & go: copies of vital records and insurance info
Bible

I have a reminder on my calendar to rotate my kit every 6 months to prevent things from going out coded.