Prepping list for the person in earlier bread:
Paper plates, paper bowls, plastic cups, plastic ware. These can be cheap, bargain brand. Buy bulk size to save money.
Toilet paper. Paper towels.
Bottled water, Gatorade, bottled drinks. Rotate as needed with new.
Food: personal choice, canned, easy to prepare, fruits/veg, bread, pbj, etc. Preparing: gas grill, camping stove, hibachi stove.
A Cooler. Make ice bricks by filling plastic containers with water. This can also be done with Quality -not cheap- freezer bags filled half way, lay on their side in freezer. As one freezes, add next one. Pile up. Note:Takes up space in freezer.
A generator. If you can afford a quality one, go for it. Higher end portable good. Quieter the better if you want to sleep. Extension chords. Gas to keep it running. A way to secure it so not stolen - there are slugs who steal them. A CO2 monitor in house for safety with use.
Gas: keep cars fueled. Keep extra if you can, safely. We had a boat during Hurricane Sandy, and were able to syphon gas from the boat to keep our generator going for 11 days.
Keep laundry done - especially underwear! You’ll thank me. 2 weeks of undies recommended.
Light: multiple flashlights [neighbor had ONE…no extra batteries…11 days…idiot]; get small LED lights for around the home. Place in rooms, bathrooms and hallways at night. Buy batteries in bulk. eBay/Amazon.
USB chargers for phones and tablets - multiple. Download movies. Get a portable TV antenna to entertain the kids with over the air channels.
Portable, battery/USB powered fans - they do exist and work well. Mlady brand. O2cool battery powered are ok.
Pet supplies.
Medications.
Chain saw.
Warning: the unprepared will envy you and want your help/ power supply. We were nice and ran an extension to the neighbor from our generator. He decided to take advantage and almost blew up the generator by running too many things, gave no gas. Lesson learned: you are responsible for you and yours. Unless they are elderly and helpless, they are grown ups and should take care of themselves.
Yes…I wrote so much.