How to Prepare for Supply Shortages

Basic Supplies

FEMA has created a basic supplies list consisting of essentials to get yourself through a 3-5 day disaster without requiring any resupplying. This list consists of:

Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)
Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

FEMA CHECKLIST

Using Wild Plants:

The use of wild plants for food and medicine pre-dates human's written records. This gives us a vast arsenal of historical uses and methods of preparation for research. With any disaster, man-made or natural there is a disruption to getting goods like medicine and fresh produce to those affected communities. This kind of disruption to nutrition coupled with foul weather, contaminated water, power outages, and communication issues can make a disaster 10x worse.

However, something that is often overlooked as a source of food and medicine is the wild plants that surround us. Many of us know the medicinal abilities of common herbs like chamomile, echinacea, rosemary, garlic, basil, and sage. But have not taken the time to understand that ALL plants have medicinal value, oftentimes stronger and more specific than common herbs.

Outbreaks after disasters:

Following heavy rain events and flooding, mosquito and rodent populations swell, bringing with them a larger capacity to carry and spread disease. Along with sewer-contaminated water and being exposed to the elements there is a highly increased risk of infection and disease spreading rapidly even in a once healthy community.

The NIH has reported that these events typically are followed by an increase in infectious diseases including diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, meningitis, as well as tetanus and cutaneous mucormycosis if not responded to properly.

It is imperative to protect yourself from mosquitos after a major water event! Modern humans are wary of rats but caution must be taken when interacting with outside pets. Dogs and cats can carry fleas (though often the non-human species) and may have come into contact with infected rodents, potentially passing a disease.

Avoid any dead animals, especially rodents and hares. Remember to always check well for ticks and delouse thoroughly.