How to stockpile supplies for a natural disaster

A short-term stockpile of supplies is usually adequate for surviving a localized disaster.  But if you were to find yourself living in the aftermath of a national or global catastrophe, you would certainly need more than just a week's worth of provisions.  Storage space would become a premium. What if you needed to be able to relocate you and your family quickly?  Large stores of supplies would be difficult to move.  These are considerations that will get you quickly thinking about creative ways to think both short-term and globally; to consider how you might store a large quantity of supplies in the smallest space possible.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you set aside emergency provisions for at least three days in case of a natural disaster.   If you think about it, stockpiling for one week increases your likelihood of not just surviving, but being able to adequately meet the needs of your family and at least one other person in need.  You may already have many of the supplies needed for short term provisions in your kitchen cupboards. So your first plan would be to assess what you have on hand that you can set aside and then add to it to stockpile a week's worth of disaster preparedness supplies.  

In the event of a disaster of global proportions evacuation might become necessary, at a moment's notice.  Your remaining supplies would prove inadequate for longer term sustenance.  Mobilizing and transporting bulky survival supplies could prove difficult.  You would need to have additional supplies on hand that could be more easily moved and stored over a longer period of time. These additional resources would sustain you and your family for at least a month.

Begin by implementing your short term plan. This involves stockpiling supplies for a short-term disaster.  Your list and amounts will depend upon the number of people and demographics in your family but your supply inventory should include the following:

 1.  One gallon of water per person, per day. Water should remain sealed until needed.

 2.  Matches stored in a waterproof container

 3.  Multivitamins for the entire family.  Chewables are best since they do not need to be taken with water.

 4.  A supply of canned goods - Fruits and vegetables that are packed in fluid are the best choice.  These will give you the added advantage of not just nourishment, but hydration.  Include canned meats that are fully cooked.

 5.   Unsalted canned nuts

 6.   Unsalted crackers

 7.   A supply of chocolate bars

 8.   One week's supply of powdered milk

 9.   Vacuum packed coffee and/or tea bags

10. A manual can opener

11. Toilet paper and sealed moist towelettes or baby wipes

12.  Several bars of soap

13.  A large box of gallon size zip lock storage bags for opened leftovers.

14.  Adequate food for family pets

15.  Two flashlights and extra batteries

16.  A fully stocked first aid kit including antibiotics if available, bandages, needle and thread, prescription medications and a first aid manual.

17.  Several unopened space blankets

18.  A supply of hearing aid batteries, contact lenses, an extra pair of eye glasses and any other durable equipment that you would need to function on a daily basis.

19.  Diapers and several cans of infant of infant formula

20.  An extra change of clothing, including shoes,  for each family member

21.  A radio with extra batteries

22.  One hundred dollars in cash for each family member.

Once you have stockpiled supplies for a short-term disaster, it's time to add a second supply that will serve as a supplement and can be quickly mobilized. When you begin to think about a disaster on a much larger scale you need to think of bare essentials that will sustain life. 

 While it might be possible to transport the remaining items from your one week's supply, if space and portability become a premium, consider replacing bulkier food items with the following additions while supplementing your water and paper supplies.  The exact amount you stockpile of each Item will depend upon your family size.  Plan on approximately two, per individual, per day of items such as protein bars, chocolate and granola bars; and two servings, per individual, per day of dried beef jerky and dried fruit.

  1. Additional water depending upon portability and storage

  2. Several cases of 24-count high protein energy bars

  3. Several boxes of chocolate

  4. Several cases of 24-count granola bars

  5. Several boxes of powdered milk

  6. Multiple packages of assorted dried fruits

  7. Multiple packages of dried beef jerky

  8. Several plastic jars of peanut butter

  9. A supply of water purification tablets

 10. A collapsible 1 gallon water jug

 11. A supply of charcoal pills in case of food poisoning

 12. Twenty-five to thirty gallons of gas stored in portable gas cans.

Once you have both a stockpile for short-term emergencies and an added stash of supplies in case of a national or global disaster, it's time to think about how you might obtain additional supplies as your reserve runs out.

History has shown that during national and international times of crisis neither money nor gold is a reliable means of obtaining additional goods and services.  What does work, is bartering.  So when you have finished stockpiling your own supplies, add additional amounts of items that might be easily transported, yet highly desirable for swapping. An extra flashlight or box of powdered milk may just give you the bartering power you need to trade what you have in exchange for what you need.

You've thought about stockpiling supplies in case of a disaster many times.  Hopefully, the whole idea seems more doable now, because you've got a short-term plan as well as one that will sustain your family for a longer period of time.  No one likes to think about having to go through a disaster. But you can feel better just knowing that you are taking the necessary steps to take care of your family now, before one happens.

Tips for preparing in the event of emergencies and natural disasters

Disaster preparedness from Ready.gov