Are You 2 Weeks Ready?
Oregon has experienced a fair number of emergencies and disasters, including floods, drought, wildfires, ice storms, excessive heat, and a pandemic. If these disasters that have impacted our state have taught us anything, it’s that being prepared can make a big difference. While the traditional three days of supplies is a good start and helpful for short-term power outages or temporary evacuation, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) recommends that each Oregon citizen proactively prepare to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks during a disaster.
This is because first responders may not be able to reach everyone impacted within hours or even days after a disaster, especially in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, which is said to be long overdue. Utilities may be out and much of the region’s transportation routes will be destroyed, making delivery of assistance and supplies difficult or impossible.
Being 2 Weeks Ready means having a plan and enough supplies—including water—for you and your household to survive on your own for a minimum of two weeks. OEM’s 2 Weeks Ready program empowers Oregonians to take the following steps:
1
MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN
- Learn how to develop an Emergency Plan at Ready.gov.
- Discuss the plan with your household, loved ones, friends and neighbors.
- Practice the elements of the plan so you’ll be ready when a disaster occurs.
2
BUILD AN EMERGENCY KIT
- Being prepared means being equipped with at least two weeks’ worth of water, food, and critical supplies. Learn how to assemble an emergency supply kit at Ready.gov or American Red Cross.
- Prepare a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate.
- Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry backpack, bucket, or bag that you can use at home or take with you in an emergency.
- Everyone’s kit will look different. There is no one correct way to put together two weeks’ worth of supplies since everyone has individual needs.
3
BE INFORMED
- Sign up for emergency alerts in your area at OR-Alert.
- Make sure your cell phone has Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled.
- Know evacuation routes in your area.
Start your emergency kit with water.
Water is central to your family’s cooking, hygiene, and basic survival needs, making it key to your preparation efforts. See the information provided below to get started.
How much water does your family need to be 2 Weeks Ready?
View and print this handy guide to help you determine how much water you and your family need and how to store it. Plan to have at least a gallon of water for each person and pet each day.
That assumes about half a gallon for drinking and another half-gallon for sanitation and food preparation. You may need more water than that if your family includes people with special needs (e.g. pregnant women or infants) or if you have pets.
Options for emergency water storage
You have options for water storage:
Use your own containers. If you choose to store tap water in your own container, make sure that it has a tight seal, is made of food-grade plastic or other material that is designed to hold water, and is properly sanitized before you fill it with tap water. You can find a variety of food grade containers at most hardware or outdoor stores. Avoid glass containers and containers that previously held milk or fruit juice.
You could also purchase commercially bottled water. Keep it in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.
Whether you choose your own container with tap water or bottled water, keep it fresh by changing it out occasionally (every 6–12 months). Tap water does not expire, but it will begin to taste less “fresh” after being stored in a container for a long time, and the plastic bottles of commercial bottled water will break down over time.
How to sanitize your emergency water container
To sanitize your container, wash the container and lid with dish soap and water, rinse it completely with clean water. Mix one teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach and one quart of tap water, pour it into the container and place the lid on securely, then shake it for 30 seconds, making sure that the mixture reaches all inner surfaces of the container. Pour the liquid out of the container and air dry it; once dry, your container is ready to fill.
Label and date your container so that you know when you filled it, and store it in a cool, dark place.
Other emergency water sources
While two week is the minimum, depending on the severity of a disaster, it could take even longer to restore your water service. As a result, you may need to find other water sources that are safe to drink. Several sources in and around your home can be used with proper treatment.
Your water heater. Your home’s water heater could provide you with 30-80 gallons of water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. Typically, water heaters are in the basement or garage of free-standing homes, and in closets of apartments and manufactured homes. Safely turn off your water heater’s power supply (typically electricity or natural gas), and the water supply. To help release water, let air in by opening the relief valve on the side of the tank or by turning on hot water spigots in the main living area or upstairs in your home. Locate the drain valve and release water as needed; be careful as it may be hot. Wear gloves and safety glasses for your protection.
Other possible emergency drinking water sources inside your home include melted ice cubes, and canned fruits and vegetables (do not consume if the container is damaged). Emergency sources outside your home that could be unsafe and require treating and/or filtering before use include rainwater, water from streams, rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water. Water from your toilet tank or hot tub is unsafe even if you treat or filter it and should not be used, but treated and filtered pool water may be a good source of water for sanitation ONLY.
How to treat emergency water
Make sure water is safe to drink by treating it before you use it for drinking, food preparation, or hygiene. Most water can be treated by boiling, disinfecting, filtering, purifying, or distilling it. Regardless of the method that you use, remember to make sure that the container(s) you use to treat and store your drinking water in are sanitized, and filter the water for particles by pouring it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.
Boiling: Boiling is the best method to make water safe to drink because it kills disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. To boil, place water in a sanitized pot, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before use. Do not boil water that you suspect might be contaminated with cyanotoxins from harmful algae blooms, heavy metals, or toxic chemicals.
Disinfecting: If boiling is not practical, you often can make small quantities of water safe by using a minute amount of unscented household chlorine bleach. Chemical disinfectants like bleach can kill most harmful or disease-causing viruses and bacteria but are not as effective in controlling more resistant organisms such as the parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Sodium hypochlorite should be the only active ingredient in the bleach, and the amount of bleach required depends on the percentage of Sodium hypochlorite it contains. Research the amount you will need ahead of time (generally anywhere from 4 to 40 drops per gallon depending on the percentage).
Purifying: Water purification tablets and iodine can also be used to treat water, and found at most outdoor stores or online. Follow instructions provided with the packaging. Purification tablets also have expiration dates and will need to be replaced periodically.
Personal Water Filtration: If you have one, personal water filters can filter out some microorganisms; most don’t remove viruses. Choose a filter with pore size small enough to remove both bacteria and parasites, and be sure to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You may want to disinfect the filtered water as well to kill any viruses and remaining bacteria.
Distilling: You may also be able to make water safe by distilling it. This method involves boiling water and then collecting the steam as it condenses back into water. This method will remove microorganisms along with salts and many other chemicals. Learn how to do this before an emergency strikes.
Also find out how to make a plan for food, waste and hygiene, shelter, and first aid with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management’s Be 2 Weeks Ready tool kit.
Being 2 Weeks Ready:
- Takes pressure off first responders so they can triage effectively and attend to life-threatening situations
- Ensures you and your family can survive if roads are impassable, and no one can reach you with help or supplies
- Encourages neighbors to care for one another, along with other vulnerable populations
Disasters can strike any time. Taking simple steps today can pay huge dividends when the next emergency arrives.