- A little preparation goes a long way during a disaster.

So, we're gonna talk about how to give your future self a gift by stocking your pantry in case you need to shelter in place, and packing a go-bag with the most critical supplies to have on hand when evacuating when things go south.

But first I have to say this, research has shown that disasters overwhelmingly bring out the best in people.

We've heard this over and over during interviews for this series.

From hurricanes to landslides, people become more altruistic and go to great lengths to help those around them.

In the face of a common enemy, like a disaster, we tend to cooperate, and that's certainly been my experience.

I live in Atlanta, Georgia.

If a hurricane makes it this far, we usually don't have to evacuate, but we are likely to lose power.

And that's exactly what happened when Hurricane Zeta barrelled through the city just two weeks before filming this episode.

At one point, 2 million Georgians were without power.

What you need to do to prepare depends on your area and type of hazard.

So, stay with us.

(gentle music) First, we're gonna talk about what you need at home to comfortably shelter in place.

Unlike a pandemic, most disasters heavily affect our infrastructure.

So being self-sufficient without electricity, water, or transportation is the first priority.

You can think of it like planning for a long camping trip.

What will you need to survive, and be as comfortable as possible while doing so?

Your most important supply by far is plenty of water, even if it's raining.

You'll need one gallon, per person, per day.

Experts recommend having enough for two weeks.

So for a family of four, that will come to a total of 56 gallons of water.

Next, you'll wanna have two weeks worth of food.

Now that's probably more than you think, but the easiest way to do it is with a prepacked disaster food kit with dehydrated meals.

But that can get expensive, so my strategy is this.

Whenever I have an extra can of soup, or mac and cheese, or something else that I know won't go bad, I add it to my Apocalypse Storage Bin.

After awhile, I have a lot of food and it never felt like a big expense.

And I don't drink coffee, but if you do, plan to add some caffeine.

A disaster is not the time to quit cold turkey.

Once you have food and water in a safe place at home, you'll probably wanna pack these crucial items.

A hand crank radio.

Now, cell towers and internet may be out of service, so an alternative way to receive communication is crucial.

Mine has a solar panel, a phone charger, and even a flashlight.

A headlamp or flashlight, and extra batteries.

And while we're talking about batteries, you're also likely to need an extra mobile battery for your phone.

As long as cell towers are working, your phone will be a crucial tool to get help and tell family you're safe.

A toolkit for basic repairs.

(drilling) You may not have immediate access to medical treatment depending on the severity of your disaster, so pack a first aid kit.

In my first aid kit, I have a wound care section, with things like antibiotic ointment, Band-Aids, and antiseptic towelettes.

In a disaster, even a small cut can lead to a life-threatening infection.

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that in 2017, sepsis accounted for a staggering 20% of all global deaths.

Taking a first aid class is a great plan, since you're probably not going to be able to get the help that you're used to during a disaster.

Just a little bit of basic knowledge can save your life.

Also, make sure to include extra prescription medications, since pharmacies may be closed for awhile.

Pack photocopies of important documents and seal them in a plastic bag so they don't get wet.

At the very least, remember to include your identification, health insurance cards, an info for predetermined out-of-state contacts, so that you can get in touch even if your phone dies.

I also highly recommend stocking up on personal toiletries.

Listen, you don't need 10 weeks worth of toilet paper, but do make sure you have things like soap, toothpaste, and whatever items you generally use.

I like to keep some extra chap stick handy.

But unfortunately, you won't always be able to shelter in place, either due to evacuation needs, or because your home didn't make it or is unsafe to be in.

In situations like this, you'll wanna rely on your go-bag for supplies.

You can think of it like a portable version of your pantry, but with a few modifications.

As with your pantry, water comes first.

Keep several bottles of water in your bag.

Also, purification tablets come in handy if clean water isn't available.

Next on the list, again is food.

You'll wanna prioritize non-perishable, high calorie snacks.

I've got some energy bars and some dried fruit.

You're also very likely to need access to money.

So keep some extra cash and a credit card in your bag.

Since a lot of things you'll need in your go-bag are also things you need in your pantry, you can just store those items that we mentioned before like the hand-crank radio, those important documents, extra batteries, and a mobile phone battery in your backpack so it's easy to pick up on your way out.

Also a smaller but similar first aid kit.

Another thing that I love to keep in my bag is a miniature, portable version of my toolkit.

A multi-tool.

It has all sorts of useful things on it, from a screwdriver to a knife, even scissors.

Also, don't forget to bring an extra change of clothes appropriate for the weather where you live.

Remember a couple pairs of clean socks and a jacket, even if it's warm.

And last but not least, leave a little extra room in your bag for your valued personal items.

When we talk to people who evacuate, nearly everyone said they grabbed a few important items like wedding rings, a photo album, or whatever is most important to them.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that you never know what the future holds.

Prepping can seem daunting, but doing something is a whole lot better than doing nothing.

And taking small steps today, like buying a gallon of water for your pantry, or picking up a box of granola bars for your go-bag the next time you're at the store, may make a big difference when the next disaster strikes.

And not only are you likely to fare much better when something goes wrong, but you'll be better equipped to help your friends, family, and neighbors.

That's it for this episode of "Weathered", if you liked it, don't forget to give us a thumbs up and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

(upbeat music)