Get Ready

The Y2K scare in 2000 made us all think about disaster preparedness. My interest in prepping began around that time. 

The ice storm of 2009 showed us how well we could survive in a disaster. Our family earned a B. We had a well-stocked pantry, generator, four-wheel-drive vehicle, and I made candles that winter so we had a stockpile to use and share.

I honed my canning skills after that storm, and prepared for the end of the Mayan Calendar disaster. That didn’t happen but my prepping game improved. I felt pretty skilled as a prepper. 

The flood of 2017 ravaged our community. Our family didn’t suffer, but many did. I was proud to be part of the crew distributing emergency supplies to those in need. 

The pandemic hit and shortages in paper products and food made me grateful for the knowledge I’d acquired and my cache of goods. 

I knew how to can, dehydrate, butcher, grow, and forage. My husband hunts and reloads ammunition, so we can survive if SHTF (prepper term). I know what goes in a bug-out bag and have enough supplies to live on for at least six months. 

In addition to having survival supplies I have a working pantry with inventory rotated regularly. Things we use often are kept well stocked; paper products, coffee, honey, laundry and dish soap, and toiletries and first aid items. 

Water is essential to survival. The American Red Cross recommends storing one gallon per person, per day, enough for three weeks. If you can’t afford to buy water, it can be stored in empty jars with lids and boiled before use. You can also purchase water purification tablets and water filter straws. 

Items included in my pantry are powdered, canned, and shelf stable milk, powdered eggs and butter, dried beans, nut butters, rice, sugar, flour, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meats and fish, and boxes of MREs which are shelf stable military type meals. 

Purchasing a few extra food items each time you shop can build an emergency pantry without a major investment and may be key to survival if disaster strikes.