We often hear about 72-hour kits in the context of disaster readiness. However, a widespread regional disaster
such as a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake would disrupt supply, assistance, and communications lines for longer than 72 hours. Two week prepared is a good starting point, a month or more is better. Though food may eventually be provided through relief agencies, there are other issues to consider:
Power: Be prepared to be without refrigeration and hot water; stoves; electric can openers; computers; security
devices and street lights at night; and most phones except possibly land lines, with non-electric phone only, and
emergency phones. Smartphones may work for texting if towers are standing. If you have a wood stove, store extra
wood. Consider a generator and fuel or portable solar panels for lighting, heating, and recharging.
Water: The standard recommendation is to store one gallon of drinking water per person per day for drinking,
cooking, brushing teeth, and washing hands. But this doesn’t take care of all water needs. Showering,
washing dishes and clothes, and flushing toilets should also be considered. Most homes have some water stored in the water heater tank. Some homes have hot tubs, swimming pools, or rainwater barrels, but these can be damaged in a quake and leak. Also, the chemicals in hot tubs and swimming pools are too concentrated for that water to be drinkable, though this source can be used for washing. It would also be a good idea to have a water filter that can filter out bacteria. You can also purify water by boiling, then adding 16 drops of bleach per gallon and letting it stand 30 minutes before using. Aerate for better taste by pouring between two clean containers.
Food: Most food in the fridge should be consumed within 24 hours. Frozen food will keep for 2 or 3 days without
electricity. Only cook on a camp stove or BBQ outdoors. Cooking this way indoors gives off deadly gases, even if
you cook in the fireplace. If you don’t have something to cook on, find someone who does and share cooking
duties and your perishable food. Store at least a 2 week supply of non-perishable food, including ready-to-eat
items that have high energy/calorie content.
Garbage: Store a generous supply of heavy duty plastic bags to store garbage until service is restored or until
alternative drop-off locations can be arranged.
Human waste: Use the two-bucket system developed following the Christchurch earthquake to separate pee and
poo. Get two 5 to 6 gallon buckets with lids plus a toilet seat that can be used on either bucket, and one or two gallon-size plastic bags of sawdust, shredded paper, peat moss, pulverized leaves or other carbon material. Mark one bucket “pee” and the other “poo.” Pee is what produces the bad smell in toilets that mix waste, so the idea is to keep them separate as much as possible. Keep the pee bucket well sealed when not in use. Sprinkle enough of the carbon material over poo to completely cover the surface. This eliminates odors and keeps flies from making themselves at home. Cover the poo bucket with the toilet seat making sure it is not airtight–air will dry out the poo and reduce its volume. Collect used toilet paper separately in a plastic bag.
Shelter: If you don’t already have a tent, get one if you can. If your house is livable after a disaster but has no
heat, a small tent can be set up right on a bed. A larger one can be set up on the floor and the mattress moved
into it. The tent will retain body heat, keeping you warmer. If your house is not livable, a tent can house you until
you can find other shelter; be sure it is large enough for family members and gear.
Considering power, water, shelter, and other concerns before an emergency can make the difference. For more information, visit the get prepared section of this site.
