Basic Supplies for Disaster Preparedness
The primary threat in this area is tornadoes and storms in general. This will result in power outages, home damage and possible destruction. Everyone tells you to take shelter, but what do you do when you come out of your shelter? Use your preparedness supplies. Take your preparedness kit with you into your shelter, or have it in a safe accessible place. Things you will need immediately: lights, clothing, shoes, work gloves, rain poncho or jacket, first aid basics, tools ( to get out of your damaged home) and car keys!
First: You need a container for your supplies, so you can have them when you need them. If a tornado has scattered your house and belongings all over your neighborhood it won’t help to have your supplies scattered as well.
An old ice chest or two with a locking lid and handle will help keep the mice and bugs out. This will give you ample room for some supplies and allow you to carry them as well, of course back packs and duffle bags are also helpful.
Second: Light and fire - LED flashlights: a light or two for each and even a hat lamp would be great. Have these lights with you in the shelter and keep them there! Fire starting stuff: lighters and fire starters, not gasoline!
Third: Water - Water you can drink and the stuff necessary to purify it. It would be good to have at least one gallon for each person and at least a quart of chlorine bleach. Purify each gallon with 16 drops or about ¼ tsp/ 1.25ml. You can’t have too much water. Have some way to get it out of your water heater and if possible, store some in your bath tub.
Fourth: Food - Have some storable necessities: beef jerkey, nuts, and dried fruit also some dried foods, like soups and meal mixes, dry cereal and dehydrated or canned milk, olive oil and dried snacks. Backpacking foods or MRE’s are great too. It would be good to have at least three days worth of food; this will get you by until FEMA can help.
Fifth: First aid - Band aids, antibiotic cream, large dressings and bandages, bandage scissors if possible, hemostats and tweezers. Aspirin and any necessary medicine. I personally would like some Grapefruit seed extract (G.S.E) or colloidal silver (C.S.) as these are both good antiseptics that can be used internally. A first aid hand book: Boy Scout Handbook or “Medicine for Mountaineering”. At least one wool blanket.
Sixth: Shelter - Tent, tarps and rope and if you wish, some more blankets. I prefer wool as it will keep you warm even if it is wet. Some spare clothing, warm socks and underwear can make you feel great and heavy shoes, of course. Backpacking hammocks and sleeping stuff are helpful as well.
Seventh: Toilet supplies - Soap, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush and regular towels.
Eighth: Electricity and electronics - A generator and portable radio receiver and at least two, two-way radios.
Ninth: Entertainment - Have some appropriate books for all involved, or even a battery operated DVD for kids.
Miscellaneous: Car keys, legal stuff and keepsakes in a waterproof place; use the trash bags to protect them.
Note: The high lighted items are what I consider essential.