Car charger for your cell phone. Once the lines are open for calls, cell phones are back in business, but those with only a wall charger will soon have a dead battery and nowhere to re-charge if the power is still out.
Zip-lock freezer baggies of all sizes. Make your own ice. As soon as a hurricane is predicted, start filling baggies with water and place them in the freezer. If food is stored in the back of the freezer and bagged ice remains in the front, your food has a better chance of surviving the storm. Another option is to start bagging up your own ice a day or two before a storm. You would be surprised at how much your ice maker can put out in 24 - 48 hours.
Large yard trash bags. Several boxes along with yard tools to help get things back to normal the day after. Trash pickup came quickly after last year's storms so it is important to get as much debris as possible to the street.
House keys. Too many of us are dependent on the garage operator for entering our homes. If the power goes off while you are out, you will need a key to the front (or back) door.
Red Wine. Actually, any alcoholic beverage that can be served at room temperature will work. Another option is vodka. It's a shame to let opened bottles and cartons of fruit juice go to waste when the power is off.
Coffee. For the morning after, especially if the red wine was consumed the night before. If it is thought that power might go out in your area, you may want to consider brewing a pot of coffee beforehand and store it in a thermos.
Hair clips. Get a few attractive clips, because once the heat sets in and the power tools become useless, you'll be stuck with the natural look (which is a look that I generally try to avoid).
Alternative forms of family entertainment. For those that are prepared, this is a great opportunity for family bonding, otherwise, lack of television and air conditioning can bring out the disfunction in any family.
Cash. Stores and restaurants that are open may not be able to process credit cards.
All the obvious. flashlights, lanterns, lighters, matches, extra batteries, portable radios, manual can openers, prescriptions, cash. I just thought I would mention them for any newcomers to the area.
