Disaster can strike quickly and without warning, sometimes isolating entire neighborhoods. As Hurricane Katrina reminded us, neighbors may need to rely on each other and their own resources for several days before help arrives. Authorities strongly urge each family to be self-sustaining for at least five days.

Preparing for emergencies can sometimes feel overwhelming. It does not require any special expertise or knowledge – just a desire to be more prepared! It can help to break down what you might need right after an emergency. See below for ideas on what you might need the first 3 minutes, 3 hours, 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after an emergency; then tackle one thing at a time. Individual needs may vary, including the needs of your pets, elderly family members, and/or young children.

We invite you to create an emergency plan for your family and to reach out to your neighbors to discuss things you can do as a neighborhood to be more prepared for unexpected disasters. Establishing a “block captain” and exchanging contact information with the neighbors nearest you is a great start.

For more in depth information, please visit Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

For long-term food storage options, visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints online store, which sells canned food with a shelf life of up to 25 years, available at low cost and  inexpensive shipping.