Which SC store sells cheapest items for hurricane emergency kits? What we found
With hurricane season finally here and summer thunderstorms picking up, it never hurts to be prepared.
From flashlights to bandages and even a wrench to help shut off utilities when bad weather strikes, there is an abundance of supplies to keep on hand in an emergency.
By making an emergency kit for your home, you and your family can stay safe. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division provides a list of some of the items to keep on hand, including zip ties, trash bags and more.
We’ve gathered a list of eight items from this list that you can keep in either your home or vehicle to have on hand in an emergency:
Flashlight
Batteries
First aid kit
Wrench
Towels
Garbage bags
Zip ties
Poncho
The SCEMD recommends storing these items in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as suitcases, duffel bags or covered storage containers.
This is not a comprehensive list of emergency supplies. For a full checklist of recommended items to keep on hand, click here to view the SCEMD list.
But once you have a list for your emergency kit, where is the best place to shop for these items and which location is the most cost-effective?
Where did we shop?
We visited four hardware and supercenter shops in Bluffton on Tuesday, June 10. These included:
Walmart: 4 Bluffton Road
Home Depot: 20 Gateway Village Road
Lowe’s: 35 Malphrus Road
Tractor Supply Co: 40 Cecil Reynolds Drive
When shopping, we looked for the most comparable items by price, store brand items or used what was in stock. When shopping for batteries, we looked for batteries compatible with the flashlight available at each store.
Here’s what we found
Here is our full price breakdown; all totals are pre-tax:
Walmart
Flashlight: $12.88 (Ozark Trail 500 Lumen LED Flashlight Set)
Batteries: $8.26 (Duracell AA batteries 8 pack)
First aid kit: $18.36 (Johnson and Johnson 160-piece first aid kit)
Wrench: $5.88 (Hyper Tough 6-inch Adjustable Wrench)
Towels: $5.78 (Mainstays 18-Pack Washcloth Bundle)
Garbage bags: $5.92 (Glad ForceFlex Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, 13 Gallon)
Zip ties: $3.97 (Hyper Tough 8-inch 75lb Cable Ties UV Resistant Black 50 Count)
Poncho: $4.20 (Totes Unisex Rain Poncho)
Total: $65.25
Home Depot
Flashlight: $27.97 (TAC 1000 LED Flashlight, 1000 Lumens)
Batteries: $ 8.87 (Energizer MAX AA Batteries, 8-Pack)
First aid kit: $17.49 (130-Piece Plastic OSHA First Aid Kit)
Wrench: $4.97 (Stanley 6-inch adjustable wrench)
Towels: $14.99 (Cotton 8-Piece Gray Washcloth Set)
Garbage bags: $12.47 (Glad Force Flex 13 Gallon Trash Bags)
Zip ties: $3.31 (HDX 8-inch Resist Zip Ties, 20-Pack)
Poncho: $6.97 (Waterproof Rain Poncho with Hood)
Total: $97.04
Tractor Supply Co.
Flashlight: $9.99 (JobSmart 100-Lumen Aluminum Flashlight Combo)
Batteries: $13.49 (Duracell CopperTop AAA, 10 pack)
First aid kit: $34.99 (First Aid Only ANSI Class A, 71 Pieces)
Wrench: $9.99 (JobSmart Adjustable Wrench Set, 2 pack)
Towels: $9.99 (Solid Waffle Terry Dish Towel Set 4 pack)
Garbage bags: $8.99 (Commander 13-gallon Trash Bag)
Zip ties: $4.99 (Cambridge 8-inch Cable Ties, 20-Pack)
Poncho: $4.99 (Blue Mountain Unisex Waterproof Poncho)
Total: $97.42
Lowe’s
- Flashlight: $21.98 (Kobalt 1000-Lumen 4 Modes LED Spotlight Flashlight)
- Batteries: $9.48 (Duracell AA batteries 8 pack)
- First aid kit: $24.98 (Dorcy International 130-Piece All-purpose emergency kit)
- Wrench: $5.78 (Project Source 8-inch Adjustable Wrench)
- Towels: $12.98 (Rubbermaid 24-Pack Cloth)
- Garbage bags: $14.68 (Glad ForceFlex 13-gallon original)
- Zip ties: $6.58 (Utilitech 8-inch Nylon Zip ties 30-Pack)
- Poncho: $4.28 (Safety Works Adult unisex Hooded Poncho)
Total: $100.74
What we found
If you’re in a rush and looking to purchase these items in store, Walmart offers some of the most affordable options, with Home Depot and Tractor Supply Co. falling close behind. Lowe’s offered the most expensive items.
Other stores like Ace Hardware, Harbour Freight, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, your preferred pharmacy or Amazon will also have some of these items available for purchase.
What else do I need in an emergency?
Some other safety items to consider adding to your emergency kit, according to the SCEMD, include:
Important documents: Copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records
Snacks
Waters
Radio
Medication
Whistle
Sleeping bag or blanket
Complete change of clothing
Fire extinguisher
Multipurpose tool
Matches in a waterproof container
Duct tape
A dust mask to help filter contaminated air
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, plastic utensils and paper towels
Paper and pencil
Local map
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
