What Supplies Should You Stockpile Before a Typhoon? A Complete Checklist
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Prepared Defense · 更新 at 2026-07-16
Preparation before a typhoon centers on two core principles: "ensuring basic survival" and "coping with sudden power and water outages." According to the national standard for tropical cyclone classification by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), when a typhoon reaches a significant intensity, it is often accompanied by gale-force winds, heavy rain, and storm surges, which can lead to urban flooding, power interruptions, or traffic paralysis. Therefore, it is recommended that households stockpile at least 3 days' worth of essential supplies. If you live in low-lying or coastal areas, it is advisable to extend this reserve to 5–7 days.
Basic Survival Supplies: Water and Food
Water is the source of life and the resource most likely to become scarce after a disaster. Please reserve drinking water based on a minimum standard of 3 liters per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. In addition to bottled water, you can clean and fill bathtubs or large containers in advance as a backup supply for domestic use.
For food, choose items that require no cooking, have a long shelf life, and are high in energy. The recommended list includes:
- Staples: Compressed biscuits, instant noodles, self-heating rice meals, and canned foods.
- Energy Boosters: Chocolate, nuts, and energy bars, which are compact yet provide quick calories.
- Special Needs: Households with infants should stock up on formula and diapers; those with chronic conditions must ensure an adequate supply of prescription medications; pet owners should not forget to reserve pet food.
Please check expiration dates regularly and rotate your stock to avoid waste from expired items.
Emergency Lighting and Communication Devices
Typhoons often damage power infrastructure, causing outages that can last from several hours to even days. Therefore, preparing lighting and communication tools is crucial.
- Lighting Tools: Headlamps or flashlights are preferred, as they keep your hands free for other tasks. Be sure to check battery levels and store ample spare batteries. While candles can serve as a backup, they pose a fire hazard in windy environments or areas with many flammable materials, so use them with extreme caution.
- Communication and Information Access: Keep your mobile phone fully charged and have a high-capacity power bank ready. If possible, equip yourself with a hand-crank or solar-powered radio. This allows you to receive the latest government warnings and rescue instructions via broadcast if mobile networks go down.
- Important Documents: Store copies or digital versions of important documents such as ID cards, household registration books, insurance policies, and bank cards in waterproof bags or cloud storage to prevent loss of the originals.
Safety Protection and First Aid Supplies
In windy and rainy conditions, minor injuries can become serious due to difficulties in accessing medical care, making a home first aid kit indispensable.
- Medical First Aid: Include adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, iodophor swabs, painkillers, anti-diarrheal medication, and antihistamines. If any family member requires specific medical devices (such as glucose meters or blood pressure monitors), ensure they are in working order.
- Personal Protection: Prepare non-slip rain boots, raincoats (which are safer and more convenient for movement than umbrellas), and thick gloves (for clearing broken glass or debris).
- Home ReinforcementIf necessary, apply tape in a character (mm) pattern on glass windows to prevent shattering and flying shards. Clear flower pots and clutter from balconies to prevent objects from falling from heights.
A special reminder: Regulations regarding school and work suspensions during typhoons may vary by location; please refer to announcements from local authorities. Do not venture out blindly; closely monitor official warning signals. Real-time typhoon tracks can be checked at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com).
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.