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Leatherman Multi-purpose tool, head lamps, hand-cranked radio, camping gas stove.

Stay safe, east coasters!

I have both Leatherman and a Gerber multi-tool (different pliers types), a hand crank radio, emergency blankets, a head lamp for each member of the family, camping stove and lantern, rope, cable ties from 3 inch to 48 inches. and 2 can openers and a cork screw.

Growing up in NC, I knew Hurricanes from dealing with disasters such as Fran (1996) and Floyd (2000). We never had to leave our house, but considered it on more than one occasion. Flooding is the biggest thing, so either having a pump in your basement or not buying a house either in a floodplain or without a basement is advice I would give to people looking to buying a house. Trying to prepare for a flood is somewhat fruitless, you can lift stuff off the floor, but it's likely to get wet anyway, so you would have to move important things from the first floor to the second and just be ready to replace things that are trouble to get up stairs.

Bad weather is another reason to take great care of your car, so if you're a person who just kinda beats the crap out of your car and doesn't baby it, realize the situations get a lot worse with bad weather, more so in snow than Hurricanes. Think about having your family in your car and it not starting up or running right and how that can make a bad situation dangerous quickly.

In Hurricanes you really want to stay away from windows and get enough food beforehand that doesn't need to be put in the fridge. Moving cars into the garage is smart because trees fall for crazy reasons. Taking furniture off your porches is a good idea, but don't go too crazy, just turning chairs down and flipping tables can be enough. Keeping your family together is important too because kids cook up crazy things in their heads because they don't know any better.

As far as gadgets and items to go to in Hurricane emergencies, I would say cell phone, candle, lighter, flashlight with extra batteries, granola bars, dried fruit, PSP would be nice, but depends on the situation. You definitely need your cell phone charger and it would be good to grab the PSP charger as well. If you have a portable radio/stereo with an antenna to get music and weather updates for everyone in your family to hear that's another big plus. I have a iPhone charger that works with AA batteries so I would try to dig that out, though it usually doesn't work well.

In general don't bother with umbrellas because the wind makes the rain come sideways at times. Keeping rain boots and rain jackets nearby is important as there is always a lot of rain when a Hurricane comes through, even if the speed of the wind as already died down.

I live in NJ and we're preparing as best we can. If power is looking to be out for a couple days I plan on buying a solar power charger.

Swiss army knife and a hand cranked flashlight. I also have wanted a solar charger for years but keep forgetting to buy one.

Black & Decker Pocket Power Bricks. They hold a decent amount of charge and they have both regular electric receptacles and a USB port.

Well, my kit doesn't really involve much. I'm planning to charge all of my devices today and tonight. I'll charge up my laptop, phone, and tablet. I don't really own a flashlight other than my phone I expect to get a lot of reading done on my tablet tonight and tomorrow while the hurricane is rockin. Once that bit is done, there isn't a lot else I can do. If utilities go out, then I'm pretty much gonna chill and read on my tablet, grill some delicious food on my charcoal grill, and wait for things to improve.

I've only been on the East Coast for a little over a year but I love it.