Filling a bathtub with water before a hurricane? Why it’s common advice

(NEXSTAR) — For those who live in a hurricane-prone area, it may be second nature to fill your bathtub with water ahead of an impending storm. Outside of those regions, such a step may leave you confused .

As odd as it may sound to those who have never been through a hurricane, it is, indeed, listed in advice in nearly every hurricane preparedness guide, from the guide produced by Nexstar’s WFLA to FEMA’s hurricane prep sheet .

Not for drinking water, as you may have initially guessed, but instead for other bathroom-related purposes, like bathing and flushing the toilet — the latter of which could be crucial if you lose running water . It can also be used to clean surfaces and items.

Even before such a storm is in the forecast, experts recommend making sure your tub can hold water and, if you don’t have one, purchasing a drain stopper. You’ll want to act fast on the latter, as those often sell quickly .

If you’re preparing for a hurricane and don’t have a bathtub, you can fill other vessels, like buckets or plastic storage bins, with water for bathing, flushing the toilet, and cleaning.

These steps are for those who are not evacuating. It is also recommended that you have extra drinking water if you are staying in your home. If you plan to evacuate and come back after the storm has passed, you don’t need to fill your bathtub with water.

Other common preparation advice for those who may be impacted by a hurricane includes having a disaster supplies kit, installing storm shutters for your windows, setting refrigerators and freezers to maximum cold temperatures, and ensuring you have cash and a full tank of gas in your vehicle.