Imagine the following scenario. A tornado is cutting its way through your neighborhood, leaving a fallout-like cityscape in its wake. The power grid is down, communications are history, and you’re “locking horns” with a full-blown cataclysm all on your own. It’s exactly what this tornado preparedness kit review will arm you to deal with.
People nowadays are way too comfortable with others solving their problems for them. Well, what happens when you dial 911 and there’s nobody on the other side? When the lights go out, your survival skills will be put to the ultimate test and tornado prepping is a tough enough needle to thread as it is.
Data shows 946 confirmed tornadoes in 2016, 2 of which were rated EF4, according to the Enhanced Fujita Scale. We’re talking 166-200 mph, extreme damage, throwing cars, leveling full-frame houses, and generating missile-like projectiles.
Here’s our selection of the best tornado preparedness kits currently available:
How We Chose The Best Tornado Preparedness Kits
These kits will be your “lifeline” in case this ghastly calamity takes a crack at your part of the grid.
The election process was guided by the following criteria:
- Tool diversity and effectiveness “in the field”
- Overall quality
- Portability and weight (when available)
- Versatility
- Price
- Value for the money
Scampering through the suburban/city landscape is not an unlikely scenario when a “death gyro” starts “pillaging the village.” So, this tornado preparedness kit review created a healthy mix between bucket- and backpack-oriented survival kits.
We’re also shooting for economy whenever given the chance, so you can expect a “one-bullet-two-kills” kind of approach.
#1Guardian Tornado Emergency Kit
Brand: Guardian
Weight: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
People: 1
Main Features: Bright red(ish) duffle bag; wheels for unhindered movement; good variety of tornado survival tools
Use: Tornado-related emergency scenarios
Price: 123.99$
Description
This is a well-balanced tornado preparedness kit. It contains all the necessary tools for optimal “tornado tackling.” There’s a 1-day food supply in the shape of a cherry-flavored food bar (400 kcal) and 6 x 4 oz pouches of water. There are also 10 tablets for water purification and 24 oz purification bottle.
In the communications and lighting department, there’s a LED dynamo flashlight with a radio incorporated, 30 hrs candle, rechargeable flashlight with 3 LEDs, 12 hrs glow stick, waterproof matches, and a bright orange 36″ x 24″ help flag. Shelter options offer 2 x 16-20 hrs body warmers, 2 x hooded emergency ponchos, and 2 x emergency sleeping bags.
Tools include a multi-tool, a knife with 16 different functions, safety goggles, a tarp (5″ x 7″), a packet of nails, duct tape (10 yards), paracord (50 ft), 2 x N95 dust mask, work gloves with leather palms, quakehold putty, and a hatchet that can also be used as a hammer and a pry bar.
The hygiene section offers a toothbrush, paste and floss, deodorant and body lotion, a soap, 4 bandages and maxi pads, a shaving cream and razor, and a comb, shampoo, and conditioner. There’s also a 37-piece first aid kit and a deck of playing cards.
#24 Person Deluxe Emergency Survival Bucket Kit
Brand: EDS
Weight: 23 lbs
Dimensions: 5 gallons
People: 2
Main Features: A reliable airtight bucket container; easy “twist-off” lid; optional snap-on toilet seat for 9.95$ extra
Use: All emergency scenarios
Price: 104.00$
Description
EDS is cutting it right to the chase with this survival kit. White bucket color is still not ideal, but certainly beats bright yellow (yeah, we’re not letting that one go anytime soon). So, let’s follow their recipe and see what this bad boy brings to the table.
As far as alimentation is concerned, there’s a 3-day supply of energy bars for 4 people. The shelf life is 5 years, but the calorie count is not listed. There’s also a 3-day supply of water in the form of 24 water pouches, also with 5 years of shelf life. 50 water purification tablets ensure 50l of extra water if need be.
Other supplies go as following: 4 x NASA-designed thermal blankets, 4 x hooded ponchos, a tent with instructions and ropes, 4 x 12 hrs light sticks, radio and light powered by a hand crank, 5 x 5 hrs candle and a box of waterproof matches, a safety whistle, gloves and a dust masks, a hygiene package, and a 52-piece first aid kit.
#3Legacy 2 Person Essential Tornado BOB
Brand: Legacy
Weight: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
People: 2
Main Features: Black & gray backpack, perfect for avoiding unwanted attention; compact packaging for ultimate mobility
Use: Tornado-related emergency scenarios
Price: 140.00$
Description
Legacy Premium managed to make a heavy-duty emergency survival bob without skimping on the overall portability. Discreet colors ensure you can pass it for a regular, everyday backpack. This is not a tornado-centric preparedness kit right off the bat, however. You can make it “tornado-specific,” though, by adding an extra package of goodies, containing a pry bar, a 4-in-1 survival tool, and a weather radio.
You can also upgrade the bundle from basic to deluxe and premium. The basic one, listed here (also deluxe), can sustain 2 people when the going gets tough. The premium one, however, provides for 4 people. The advantages of the deluxe and premium options also include sleeping bags, 3600 kcal food bars, a rich first aid kit, 2l water bags, survival rope, and extra survival items and tools.
The basic kit contains a 1l Tristan bottle (BPA-free), 2 x reflective blanket, 15 servings of MegaOne Meals chocolate meal replacement, a 2-man tent and 2 ponchos, AM/FM radio with batteries, rubberized flashlight, 5 x water purification tablets, a folding water container (1l), deluxe hygiene kit, a pencil, and a prep guide.
#472 Hrs Emergency Survival Kit
Brand: AFS
Weight: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
People: 2
Main Features: Red backpack; a lot of tools packed for ultimate portability
Use: All emergency scenarios
Price: 68.00$
Description
This is a handy bright red bob, ideal for quick action and high mobility. Why do companies decide to color their products so brightly is anybody’s guess, but it would sure be nice if they’d adopted a liking for darker hues.
Everything perishable within the kit has a 5-year shelf life. The pack can even be customized to accommodate additional people. Besides the fact that it’s not a tornado preparedness kit per se, this little guy still offers the biggest bang for the buck on this list. The kit itself holds 2 food rations, 1200 kcal each, and 20 x water pouch.
In terms of survival gear, we’re talking flashlight (D batteries included) and a 12 hrs light stick, 50 yards of duct tape, a pocket tool (14-in-1), a can opener (3-way), 2 x survival blanket and poncho, leather palm work gloves, 50 x waterproof matches, and a plastic whistle, together with lanyard.
This all is paired up with a 37-piece first aid kit. It’s the most modest tornado preparedness kit on the list, but with the best value-to-money ratio.
#5Mayday Deluxe Honey Bucket Emergency Kit
Brand: Mayday
Weight: Unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
People: 2
Main Features: A bright yellow bucket container; decent assortment of survival tools
Use: All emergency scenarios
Price: 74.99$
Description
This kit is viable for all disaster scenarios, tornadoes among them. What it lacks in portability, it makes up for in its budget-friendly price, paired with a good variety of emergency tools.
The bucket didn’t really have to be bright yellow, as it’ll definitely attract attention. It’s not really made to be carried around in a think-fast situation, but it’ll catch a few glimpses if you buy it in a store. This doesn’t really sit well if you’re trying to adopt the gray man style of living and prepping.
That being said, the kit includes food bars worth 2400 ccl and 3 x 8.5 oz water packs, a solar blanket, 2 x poncho (doesn’t say if they’re hooded or not), a pair of gloves with leather palms, a 3-in-1 com tool (a siren/flashlight/radio combo), 12 hrs light stick, a chemical disinfectant (T-5), 50 x water purification tablets and waterproof matches, a tool for water and gas shut off, 6 x wet naps, a 5-in-1 whistle and a utility knife, a duct tape, 12 x liner packs, and a pry bar. A 51-piece first aid kit is also featured.
Conclusion
This tornado preparedness kit review had a couple of goals. First of them would be presenting the said calamity as something very real and frighteningly tangible. The sheer number of tornadoes in the US every year did its work there. So, it’s not something “happening to someone else” all the time; it could also happen to you when you least expect it. That’s why we expect it all the time.
Secondly, it was tasked with showing you the best options for taking a prepper’s route about it. We tried (and succeeded) to dish out the most affordable options without skimping on the quality. Sure, you can go even cheaper and compromise your very survival. The thing we did with these products is already walking a fine line between economy and being plain cheap.
The third prong was showing the importance of proper tools for the job. The NOAA Weather Radio is always a good start. Pay close attention to tornado possibilities in your area. Buying one of these emergency kits is basically taking a shortcut and saving some money along the way. You can, of course, get all the items separately, but it’ll cost more and take up more of your time. All the tools required are already there, from emergency food and water to hygiene and first aid kits, in case of injuries or prolonged staying inside your shelter.
It’s very important not to get out while there’s a tornado on the loose. Stay within your shelter at all times until the danger has passed. You know what they say, you can try to outrun the tornado, but you’ll always tire before it does.
