Water

With drought firmly settled across much of America, I'd like to say a few words about water. Water is the primary element of my disaster preparedness. The human body can last less than a week without water. In the event of a power outage, water supplies to affected urban areas will cease almost immediately. Two years ago, a boil advisory was issued here in Hazleton when an Escherechia coli contamination was suspected in some city water lines. Panicked city-dwellers quickly depleted stocks of bottled water at area stores. I, however, took no action. Since I habitually store water reserves, my house had all the water on hand to survive the crisis, which fortunately only lasted for two days and turned out to be a false alarm. However, a real disaster, such as a tropical storm -- of which NEPA had two last year -- earthquake, or solar storm, water supplies can run out very quickly. In April, it was reported that the Hazleton City Authority was pumping 2.5 million gallons of water daily from the Lehigh River to keep the Dreck's Creek reservoir filled. 2.5 million! My little 22-liter stockpile -- about a week's supply -- is the tiniest drop in that sea (precisely 2.3 millionths of the volume).

Disaster comes in many forms. Residents along the Susquehanna River learned last year how quickly a flood can ruin local water supplies. Overflowing sewage mixes into reservoirs and aquifers, making water unsafe to drink without filtration and disinfection. Up here on the mountain

So, putting back a stock of water should be a major part of your disaster plan. It's as easy as filling up some bottles. I drink a fair amount of Coke, so I always save the 2-liter bottles and keep them on hand to fill up in case of imminent danger. I simply rinse them out thoroughly, fill them up, add a few drops of bleach, then let them soak for a few minutes. Then I drain them, let them dry (upside down to prevent dust contamination), put the lids back on, and they're ready for action. In addition to the empty bottles, I keep eleven full bottles in a plastic crate at all times, stashed in my pantry. Most disaster preparedness FAQs I've read recommend a gallon of water per person per day, so for just me it's a week's supply. With the western third of the state under drought watch, I'll be expanding it soon, in spite of the soaking we've had here in NEPA. In times of plenty, you should be preparing for a lean future anyway, so strike when the iron is hot. With the western quarter of the state under official drought watch, and a third under at least D0 (abnormally dry), I'm prepared in case the drought expands.