It seems like when you hear emergency preparedness the words that follow are things like bug out, SHTF, zombie apocalypse, etc. But what about natural disasters? Being prepared doesn’t have to mean you’re ready to abandon all modern society and live on a mountain watching civilization crumble. What about when you need to evacuate, or your house gets flooded by a burst pipe?
How quickly could you gather everything you and your family needs? Do you even know what you need? Does it all fit in your vehicle? Do you have the funds to go anywhere? Could you make your house livable if you lost power for two weeks? Could you feed your family without going to the store?
No one is immune to disaster so we should all be prepared. Here’s how to get started.
Paperwork
One of the first things you need to put together is your family’s paperwork. This will include social security cards, birth certificates, vehicle titles, marriage certificates, immunization records, insurance documents, bank statements, mortgage or lease agreements, copies of prescriptions including medications and contacts along with anything else you may need to prove who you are, what you own and why someone (such as insurance) should be helping you out. Don’t forget about your pets documents too. You may need to prove your pets are up do date on their immunizations to admit them to certain places.
Supplies to stay in
In the event of a power outage and potential inability to leave your home you’ll want to know you can supply basic needs. Such as food, water and adequate shelter.
Water
Providing water may not be a concern if you don’t rely on public water or electricity to pump water through your pipes. However, if you may lose water along with electricity you’ll want a safe supply of potable water available. Buying large jugs is by far the easiest and quickest way to ensure this. They are readily available and don’t require any attention beyond storing them properly, in a dark cool place, and changing them out every 6 months. And don’t be upset when in 6 months you have to change them because using them up will provide a good experience as to how long the amount of water will actually last you.
You’ll also need to consider what we use water for besides drinking. Cooking and cleaning are the other things you’ll need to account for when the water supply is cut. For cleaning you may use sanitary wipes or baby wipes as replacement. Rely on disposables if you must. Or use grey water.
Food
Cooking without water will rely heavily on what you choose to cook. So stock up on foods with a long shelf life that do not require water to cook. Canned items are by far the best option here. In addition to a supply of food you’ll also what to consider how you’ll cook said food. A small campstove would be a good choice. You could also rely on an outdoor grill assuming you can gain access to it. Be aware that using propane fueled items indoors is highly inadvisable with potentially fatal results.
Shelter
Providing adequate shelter will look different depending on where you live. For some it may mean providing heat. Others relief from the heat. Plan accordingly. You’ll also need a supply of candles or flashlights and way to light the candles and/or spare batteries. A radio to stay alerted to news. Medical supplies in an emergency situation could be critical so have a first aid kit fully stocked and devoted to emergency use. You won’t want to need antiseptic and realize you used it last week and haven’t restocked.
All this should be together in one place. Easily accessible and in a place least likely to be damaged in the event of a disaster. So the attic probably isn’t a proper place. However you should store an ax, rope and tarp there if you are at risk for serious flooding. In the event you have to escape to your roof you’ll need a hole to get out of and the tarp and rope to potentially keep you there until help can arrive.
Supplies to evacuate
In the event of evacuation you’ll want a plan of how to do so in a reasonably quick manner. I’d suggest an evacuation list kept with your important paperwork as a guide if and when the time comes. Having a list prepared while you’re not in a state of panic will keep things calmer if and when the list needs to be used.
Things to include will be
- Important papers
- Valuables that can be taken with such as jewelry
- Invaluables that can be taken with such as non digitized photos and family heirlooms
- Pet supplies
- First aid kit that includes OTC meds like ibuprofen and antihistamines
- Specialty medical supplies and prescription medications
- Cash, not for while you’re gone, but because you don’t know what you’re coming back to
- Toiletries that may not be supplied by hotels or shelters such as chap stick
- An external hard drive with the latest computer backup
- Several sets of clothes with LOTS of extra undergarments and enough layers to go through different weather and seasons
- All chargers to electronic devices
- Creature comforts such as card games, favorite stuffed animals or books
- Extra gas cans in case the stations run out or have lines too long to wait. Don’t use these unless you have to.
Don’t be this generic with your personal list. List items specifically under each grouping. Pet supplies – leashes, collars, tags, food, bowls, meds, brush, litter, litter box, crate, bed, treats, toys.
This is for an evacuation such as from a hurricane. Where you would have some time to pack and prepare your home. You may need to account for brush fires or volcanic eruption. If so you may want to keep a go bag prepped and ready with supplies for evacuation in minutes instead of days. Plan accordingly, ask those who have done it before in your area. What did they wish they had? What would they leave behind next time?
Have a plan on where to go and call ahead. Don’t decide to drive as far as you think you can and stop and find any old motel room. You have resources to find a place ahead of time. Use them.
Prepare your house for evacuation
If you do have to leave your house behind you’ll want to make sure it’s secure and prepared as best as possible to withstand the disaster coming. Again, an evacuation list will be key. All preparation steps should be accounted for. Securing the outside, the home itself and the things inside you will be unable to bring with should be included.
Don’t let an emergency catch you off guard. Start today with your paperwork. Plan on picking up some water next grocery trip. Sit down with the family and come up with your evacuation plans. It doesn’t have to all be done at once but what you can do today is one less thing to worry about tomorrow.
