Step 3: Prepare Disaster Supplies
Everyone should have emergency suuplies stored at home and a grab and go bag. Keep an emergency kit in your home, another in your car, and a third kit at work.
Keep them where you spend most of your time, so they can be reached even if your building is damaged or if you need to quickly evacuate out of a tsunami hazard zone.
Emergency Food Supplies
Use this as a guide for assembling food supplies for your home.
This list addresses the approximate needs for four adults for seven days. If you live in a rural area, plan for longer and gather additional items. It could take two or more weeks for outside assistance to reach you. Consider special items needed for your family members and pets.
The foods in each category should be determined by family preferences and needs. Here is an example of what food items you could assemble for your emergency food supply:
- Twenty-eight gallons of water
- 4 ½ lb. ready-to-eat cereals (make smart choices)
- 3 boxes of non-fat dry milk powder (each box making 8 qts. milk)
- 7 qts. canned 100% juice (varied-orange, pineapple, tomato, V-8)
- 2 – 16-oz. jars nut butter
- 4 – 6-oz. cans tuna in water
- 2 - 16-oz. cans salmon
- 15 – 16-oz. cans of varied beans (3 black, 3 kidney, 3 garbanzo, 2 reduced fat refried, 4 baked beans
- 24 oz. canned meat (chicken, beef, corned beef, light SPAM)
- 10 lbs. canned fruits (1 lb. cans-varied-applesauce, peaches, pears, apricots, pineapple, mixed)
- 14 lbs. canned vegetables-preferred reduced salt (1 lb. cans-tomatoes (varied), peas, green beans, corn, spinach)
- 2 - 8-oz. jars jam or jelly
- 2 loaves bread (preferably whole grain)
- 3 packages whole wheat or corn tortillas
- 4 – 10 oz. boxes crackers (varied-some whole grain-Triscuit, graham, etc.)
- 2 bags rice cakes (family-preferred flavor)
- 1 small jar mayonnaise (or individual packets of mayonnaise to equal 8 oz.)
- 2 – 15-oz. cans salsa
- Small can Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz. nuts- family choice
- 1 ½ lb. raisins or other dried fruit
- 1 jar cheese spread
- 6 – 1-lb. cans pudding
- 16-oz. low fat Italian salad dressing
- Salt, pepper, mustard, catsup, dried onion and parsley, other seasonings, as desired
- 12 oz. canola oil
- Instant coffee (enough to make 56 cups of coffee)
- Hard candy, sugarless gum, cocoa, sugar
Download this food supply list
Source: Joyce M. Houston, M.A., R.D., Supervising Public Health Nutritionist, Humboldt County DHHS-Public Health Branch. May 2008.
Grab & Go Bag Supply Kit
Pack essential items in backpacks or small duffelbags for everyone in your house. Place where you can easily grab it if you must leave your home/school/office quickly. Include documents like utility bills as proof of residence and photographs of family members and pets.
Safety Gear
- Emergency blanket
- Flashlight/extra batteries
- Multi-tool (ex. Leatherman)
- Face masks
- Sturdy gloves
- Lighter/Matches
- Duct Tape
- Large garbage and Ziplock bags
Communication
- Whistle
- Phone charging cable and portable power bank
- Portable radio/batteries/radio app
- Emergency contact list
- Pen/paper/Sharpie pen
Food + Water
- Water/Water bottle
- Food (protein/granola bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky)
- Water purification tablets\Portable water filter
Comfort Items: Deck of cards, chocolate, toys, etc.
Health + Personal Care
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Toothpaste/toothbrush
- Spare eyeglasses/contacts & solution
- Soap/Hand sanitizer/Wipes
- Toilet paper
Important Documents
- Emergency Plan/Out of Area Contact
- Cash
- Thumb drive with important documents
- Hard copy of Utility Bill as proof of residency (for shelters/aid)
- Photographs of each family member and pets
CONSIDER Special Provisions you need for you and your family including elderly, disabled, small children, and pets. MAINTAIN Your Kit: Replace expired items. Review your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
Ready to assemble your bag?
Download the Grab & Go List here
Emergency Supplies for Your Home
Having emergency supplies in your home, workplace or car will make the difference in your health and comfort. Store these supplies in a place you can easily access if your home is damaged. Replace perisable items as needed on a yearly basis.
- Emergency food supplies (be sure to include your children and pets)
- First aid supplies
- Wrenches or other special tools to turn off gas and water supplies
- Work gloves and protective goggles
- Heavy duty plastic bags for waste, and to serve as tarps, rain ponchos, etc. Include duct tape.
- Portable or hand-cranked radio with extra batteries
- Additional flashlights or light sticks
- Charcoal or propane for outdoor cooking and matches if needed
- Cooking utensils and a manual can opener
- Pet food, pet carrier and restraints
- Comfortable, warm clothing including extra socks
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags, and perhaps a tent
- Copies of vital documents (deeds, insurance, bank accounts etc.)
Remember to supply your car!
Assemble a Grab & Go Bag for your car and add:
- An additional 6-pack of water
- Tire repair kit, booster/jumper cables, pump and fl ares, white distress flag or silver space blanket
- Seasonal supplies: winter (blanket, hat, mittens, shovel, sand, chains, windshield scraper); summer (sunscreen and hat)
Continue...