20 Things Your Parents Kept in the Car for Storms—Just in Case
Here's a look at the old-school storm prep essentials your parents never left home without.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Back when smartphones were not around to notify you of every emergency, your parents relied on what they could pack in the car. These emergency staples were all about being ready for the worst while hoping for the best. Some items might seem outdated now, but they were once considered must-haves for any serious downpour or thunderstorm. This list is a reminder of how seriously the previous generation took storm safety, and glove compartments and trunks proved it.
1. Flashlight with Extra Batteries
life of village on Pexels
Before phone flashlights took over, a heavy-duty flashlight lived in every glove box. Parents ensured it had fresh batteries in case the car died or a blackout hit during a storm. It was one of those tools that felt comforting even if you never had to use it.
2. Blanket Rolled Up in the Trunk
Andrew Neel on Pexels
That blanket was not just for warmth; it doubled as a seat cover, a towel, or even a window shield during hail. It was often a faded, scratchy one you would never use at home, but in a storm, it became gold. Parents were nothing if not resourceful.
3. Emergency Road Flares
National Wildfire Coordination Group on Wikimedia Commons
Storms meant low visibility, so your parents kept flares just in case the car had to stop on the side of the road. Lighting one felt like something from a survival movie, but it was serious business. You were probably warned not to touch them.
4. Gallon of Water in the Backseat
Erik Mclean on Pexels
It rolled around in the backseat for months but was there for emergencies, dehydration, or even a steaming radiator. That old plastic jug meant your parents were ready to hydrate or improvise. You knew better than to drink it on a regular day.
5. First Aid Kit
Roger Brown on Pexels
Bandages, aspirin, and maybe a rusty pair of scissors made it more like a patch-up station than a full kit. Still, your parents felt safer knowing it was tucked under the seat. It usually came in a metal box with a faded red cross.
6. Paper Maps and a Weather Radio
Morn on Wikimedia Commons
GPS was a dream, so navigating around flooded roads meant opening a map across the dash. Alongside it was a crackling battery-powered weather radio that shouted warnings like a tiny action hero. It was your parents’ version of live updates.
7. Fix Flat Kit
Michael Sheehan on Wikimedia Commons
A flat tire during a storm was a parent’s nightmare. That fix flat kit sat ready like a superhero in aerosol form. Even if it did not always work, it made your parents feel prepared.
8. Plastic Rain Ponchos
shankar s on Wikimedia Commons
Those bright yellow or clear ponchos folded up into impossibly tiny squares. They rustled loudly, smelled plasticky, and kept everyone mostly dry. If you had to walk in a storm, this was the armor.
9. Umbrella
MART PRODUCTION on Pexels
Always in the back seat, usually tangled, and sometimes missing a spoke or two, but it was trusted. You never left for a road trip without it. It was more loyal than useful, but your parents kept it around anyway.
10. Non-Perishable Snacks
Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels
Crackers, granola bars, or those mystery fruit chews helped when storms left you stuck waiting. Your parents believed hunger was one more emergency they could solve. You just hoped the snacks were not too stale.
11. Ziplock Bag Full of Napkins
User:Mattes on Wikimedia Commons
A squished bag of fast-food napkins lived in the glove compartment like a storm survival talisman. They worked as tissues, cleaning cloths, or even a temporary bandage in a pinch. No one questioned why they were there, but they were always needed.
12. Extra Pair of Socks
Ryutaro Tsukata on Pexels
Wet feet were the worst, so your parents kept backup socks in a grocery bag. They were always mismatched, probably old, and sometimes scratchy. Still, they felt amazing after stomping through puddles.
13. Garbage Bags Used for Everything
Wiki Farazi on Wikimedia Commons
These were ponchos, seat covers, or even makeshift luggage in case of car trouble. Your parents saw unlimited potential in a few thick garbage bags. Folded flat or stuffed in a side pocket, they were non-negotiable.
14. A Roll of Quarters in the Console
(Designers) (Obv.), (rev.) on Wikimedia Commons
It was mostly for pay phones, but it was also for gas stations, toll booths, or vending machines during storm delays. Your parents knew those coins could make a difference. That little roll held way more value back then.
15. Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool
MYKOLA OSMACHKO on Pexels
It was small, rusty, and definitely intimidating. Still, it could open cans, cut seatbelts, or tighten a loose screw in the rain. Your parents swore by it and kept it close.
16. Spare Phone Charger No One Used
FASTILY on Wikimedia Commons
It was a car charger for a phone model three upgrades ago, but your parents never tossed it. Maybe they were hoping the cord would fit again one day. It became part of the storm kit by default.
17. Towel Stashed Under the Seat
Dom J on Pexels
Wet clothes, foggy windows, or muddy feet were all reasons to pull out the emergency towel. It was thin and overwashed, but it always got the job done. Parents treated it like a secret weapon.
18. Manual Can Opener
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
This tool was vital in case the canned beans or soup in the trunk became dinner during a storm. It looked ancient but worked every time, and the idea of being caught without one was unthinkable.
19. Pack of Playing Cards
Kendall Hoopes on Pexels
Stuck in the car during a downpour? Out came the cards to pass the time and calm nerves. They were bent, faded, and maybe missing a joker, but they were a comfort.
20. That One Umbrella Flashlight Combo
nurdegil on Pexels
It never worked quite right, but it felt high-tech when your parents first got it. The flashlight barely lit up, and the umbrella broke in the wind, but together, they felt like storm armor. You probably remember trying it out in the driveway.