Preparedness is everyone's job. During the first few hours or days following a major earthquake or other disaster, essential services may not be available. People must be ready to act on their own for at least two weeks. Be Prepared. Build Kits. Help Each Other. Download the State Emergency Management's new brochure and emergency information card. For more tips, visit www.mil.wa.gov/preparedness.
START YOUR EMERGENCY PREP WITH WATER
People can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. This makes water the key ingredient to start your preparedness efforts.
YOUR GOAL IS TO STORE ONE GALLON OF WATER PER PERSON PER DAY
That amount assumes you will use about half a gallon for drinking and another half-gallon to meet sanitation and food preparation needs. You should include more water in your kit if your family has people with special needs (e.g., pregnant women or infants). Don’t forget your pets! A seventy-pound dog drinks about a half-gallon of water per day and a cat drinks about a cup.
YOU NEED ENOUGH WATER TO GET THROUGH 14 DAYS WITHOUT SERVICES
That's how long it could take for help to arrive in the Puget Sound region after a major earthquake. Experts have predicted that a substantial earthquake will likely knock out water and other important systems for several months or more.
STORE WHAT YOU CAN, WHERE YOU CAN
You have options! You can purchase bottled water or use your own sanitized containers to store your emergency water supply. Your home's water heater may also be an option, Be sure to have the things that you will need to treat additional water. Please watch the *** video below for more information on this process. It is better to have some water than none, so think creatively about how you can best use the space you do have to store water and items to treat water.
