Is a summer storm approaching?  If so, here’s a checklist with some things to do when you hear that bad weather is headed your way:

• Fill cars with gas. If power goes out for a few days, you may not be able to fill up.
• Go grocery shopping for essentials: bread, fruit
• Have some cash on hand.
• Charge all devices – cell phone, laptops, iPads.
• Secure or put away yard items.
• Eat food in fridge and freezer, in case the power goes off.
• Set up your pool pump or sump pump to handle excess water.
• Board up windows, if severe.
• Check gutters and downspouts to confirm they are working.

Summer Storm Checklist – Printable

Summer Storm Checklist – Personal Plan

If weather is expected to be severe and widespread, consider leaving the area. We went to Niagara Falls to ride out Hurricane Irene. We had two young children and a roof that popped a leak two days before the storm. We covered the roof with a tarp, packed up our things, and left town. It was nice not to have to worry about the storm, which impacted most New England states.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are referral links, which means that if you make a purchase, there is no extra cost to you, but Running A Household will receive a commission.

Want to be prepared for storms?  Consider buying a weather radio.  We have this one:

It’s the MIDLAND WR300 Weather Radio.  We love it because it plugs in to use electricity, but also has a battery back-up.  You can set the date and time, and area so you can receive notifications for your area.  It also has an AM/FM Radio with an alarm clock, so you can use it everyday.  This one is a little expensive, with a retail price between $75-80, but we liked it because of all the features as well as the silver color.

If you’re not looking to spend quite as much money, consider this one:

This is the Midland WR120/WR120EZ NOAA Weather Alert All Hazard Public Alert Certified Radio with SAME, Trilingual Display and Alarm Clock.  It has fewer channels and memory spaces, but it’s very popular and will alert you to the weather warnings for your location.  This one also has an alarm clock.

Start planning today, so that your household will be prepared for a summer storm.

You may also like to ready the following articles:

What’s In Your Emergency Food Bin?

Grocery List by Department – Make Grocery Shopping Easy and Efficient

Setting Up a Pantry