08-25-2010, 11:52 AM
After living through a fairly non-destructive tornado, and having no electricity for almost 1 week, and one overnight guest forgetting to turn off the electric blanket before folding the hide-a-bed (both on the mainland) we always have on hand:
several 5 gal buckets of water for flushing & 1 multi pack tp in reserve (luxury, yes, but I am spoiled)
3 gal/person drinking water
extra propane cylinder
some cash money
canned foods for at least a couple of weeks
solar/hand crank emergency radio
handful of tarps
try to always keep at least 1/2 tank fuel in car
strike anywhere matches (from old camping days)
tents & sleeping bags in dry (airtight is best) storage container (most useful with the smoke damaged house...)
at least one kayak - just for fun!
ETA: we always try to keep the frig & freezer full - but mostly with non- perishables, always have 'heat-sink' items in that will not spoil, but will help maintain cold if power goes out. A nearly empty frig will not have a lot of 'cold mass' to preserve the temp. if the power does go out....
several 5 gal buckets of water for flushing & 1 multi pack tp in reserve (luxury, yes, but I am spoiled)
3 gal/person drinking water
extra propane cylinder
some cash money
canned foods for at least a couple of weeks
solar/hand crank emergency radio
handful of tarps
try to always keep at least 1/2 tank fuel in car
strike anywhere matches (from old camping days)
tents & sleeping bags in dry (airtight is best) storage container (most useful with the smoke damaged house...)
at least one kayak - just for fun!
ETA: we always try to keep the frig & freezer full - but mostly with non- perishables, always have 'heat-sink' items in that will not spoil, but will help maintain cold if power goes out. A nearly empty frig will not have a lot of 'cold mass' to preserve the temp. if the power does go out....