When wildfires, hurricanes or other climate-related disasters surge, it’s easy to panic-Google what your food and water stocks should look like in an emergency. It’s also just as easy to see asterisks like “refresh supplies every six to 12 months,” get overwhelmed and give up.
But amid the tangle of recommendations, the basic rules are, in practice, clear and applicable to most disaster scenarios. They’re also well worth doing now.
“It’s a great feeling when you know you have the right supplies and a plan for emergencies,” said Lisa Bedford, founder of the Survival Mom website. Despite losing power for 10 days during Hurricane Beryl last July, “we didn’t panic,” Ms. Bedford said, adding, “and when you’re prepared, you can help other people.” Her family was able to loan a generator to a neighbor and donate food to to a local church food bank.
Below, you’ll find expert advice, what the official recommendations really mean, and simple, comforting meals you’ll want when it all hits the fan, as preppers say — and even, ideally, starting now.
How much emergency food and water should you keep on hand?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institutes of Health recommend stocking enough food and water for at least three days, including a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. In other words, plan on at least six gallons of water for a family of two, or 12 gallons for a family of four, plus meals and snacks for three days.
However, if you have the space, many experts say go bigger. “Having up to a one- to two-week supply may help in case of out-of-the-ordinary emergencies,” said DeeDee Bennett Gayle, an associate professor and chairwoman of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department at University at Albany, SUNY.
Where should emergency food and water be stored: in a go bag or the pantry?
Ideally, both. The Red Cross recommends a lightweight three-day supply in a go bag or bin for evacuations, and a two-week supply at home. To keep both in good condition for as long as possible, store in a cool, dark part of your house, rather than an uninsulated garage, which can have big temperature swings.
What are the best foods to stock up on for emergencies?
An emergency is a low moment to realize that your family hates a certain pancake mix, or that you don’t have a griddle to cook it on, so experts recommend stashing foods you normally eat.
Nut butters, tinned tuna and other fish, dried fruit, granola, jerky, protein bars and canned beans are good options. And, of course, this would be a welcome time to have a supply of home-canned tomatoes, jams or other preserves. But there are other, perhaps less obvious, standbys to consider (and to add to your dinner rotation now).
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“Canned potatoes are shockingly good,” said Chris Nuttall-Smith, the author of “Cook It Wild.” “They’re basically Parisienne potatoes, especially if you drain them, toss in olive oil and salt and pan roast them.” Canned peaches and mandarin oranges for brightness, boil-in-a-bag Indian dishes, Japanese pouch curries, just-add-water miso soup, and dense pumpernickel breads, whose “best before” dates are often several months into the future, are other sleeper hits, Mr. Nuttall-Smith notes.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also considers comforting treats important. Warm drinks like instant coffee, hot chocolate and tea soothe, and chocolate bars, cookies and crackers can be a quick pick-me-up, said Wendy Escobedo, who oversees West Coast culinary operations for the disaster relief organization World Central Kitchen.
Don’t forget to throw in any equipment you’ll need for prep. An old-fashioned hand-crank can opener is a must, Ms. Escobedo said, along with matches or a lighter and a backup heat source or two: a backyard grill, camp stove or chafing dish, plus any necessary fuel.
What should I keep in mind for earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and so on?
While well-stocked rations can be helpful in any emergency, the disasters most common in your area may have their own challenges. For earthquakes, Ms. Escobedo said, focus on foods that don’t require refrigeration and make sure heavy objects are securely stored. For hurricanes and floods, waterproof your food by storing it in sealed plastic bins or in zippered plastic bags. For fires, you’ll definitely want a go bag that includes lightweight food and water and is quick to grab if you need to evacuate.
What are the best ways to make canned food and other pantry goods taste better?
“I’m all about having big-flavor, shelf-stable ingredients to boost your meals,” said Ann Taylor Pittman, an author of “The Global Pantry Cookbook.” “Savory fish sauce, thick-sweet kecap manis, nutty toasted sesame oil, herbal-seedy furikake and umami-rich soy sauce do not require refrigeration after opening and can turn any rice pouch ‘survival meal’ into a tasty dinner,” she said, adding, “Smoked paprika and sherry vinegar make all the difference for a can of white beans.”
What should I eat if the power goes out?
In a power outage, you’ll want to eat foods in a certain order. “Fresh and refrigerated foods first, freezer foods second, and nonperishable (often pantry) foods third,” Dr. Bennett Gayle said.
Ms. Pittman likes to make a shortcut version of overnight oats by soaking quick-cooking oats with aseptically packaged milk (dairy or not) for 30 minutes, then topping with dried fruit, nuts and orange segments — no refrigeration or cooking needed.
Mr. Nuttall-Smith also notes, “Room-temp gin and vodka aren’t that pleasant, but room-temp rum, whiskey, mezcal and tequila are fantastic.”
What meals require little or no water in an emergency?
Packets of precooked rice and other grains are a boon. According to Ms. Escobedo, when cooking in disaster zones with limited resources, the World Central Kitchen team favors one-pot soups or stews with canned beans, grains and vegetables; stir fries and turkey Bolognese with the pasta cooked directly in the sauce, a method that not only saves water and fuel but infuses the noodles with rich flavor.
How often should emergency supplies be refreshed (and what does that really mean)?
Many guides recommend refreshing emergency supplies every six to 12 months, but this may feel easy to forget and, given the generous expiration timelines of many pantry goods, excessive.
Calendar reminders can help. “The first day of spring and the first day of fall are easy ways to remember to do a refresh,” Ms. Bedford said. But that doesn’t mean everything needs to be replaced. “Most supplies will be fine,” she added. “Check on foods, medications, first aid supplies, batteries — things that might be affected by heat or cold,” she added. Use up any food that’s on the verge, replenish your kit and tuck it away again, consoled in knowing it’s there.
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