I think it’s appropriate to talk about what do I have stored for emergencies today. When I started my blog, my sister Carol helped me make printable PDFs for my readers covering the various items we need when emergencies happen. Here’s the deal: It can seem overwhelming to try and be prepared for the unexpected. One aspect is forgetting what we have or need to purchase to be properly prepared, and I hope I can help you with that chore.
As you know, Mark and I moved up north in Utah and built a small ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) behind our daughter’s home. It is a small home for us, totaling 1000 square feet. We are getting older and want to be closer to family, and this location seemed the perfect central location for family. It took three grueling years to build it; the city was new to ADU units, so getting permits was very stressful, and it took almost 1-1/2 years to get them approved. Then, another 1-1/2 years to build it.
It’s not done, but it’s, for the most part, liveable. We are generally pleased with the results, but it cost more than we had expected. Like everything else, the cost of building supplies has increased over the last four years.
Expenses Are High When Providing For a Family
Nowadays, I don’t know how families are feeding themselves. Food, gas, medical supplies and treatments, and home prices are out of control. How much more can families afford to pay for clothes, shoes, kitchen appliances, and furniture? Adding to that the cost to have provisions stored for emergencies could feel overwhelming.
I don’t want to make this a political statement, but please vote for the person you believe can restore our long-held American goals and values. Please talk with your family and explain to them how important this election is for the good of our country.
We need a leader with experience balancing budgets and keeping as much money here at home as possible for the benefit of our citizens. You have the right to vote, so please do it. Read what each candidate will do for Americans. I will not tell you who to vote for; look at current national challenges and decide for yourself who may take us in important directions.
I better get off my soapbox, but I am begging you from the bottom of my heart to vote for the person who is a leader and knows how to run a business and get the most out of our government structure. We need a change to take care of those in the USA.
The Past Few Weeks Have Been a Major Challenge for Many Americans
Although I dislike cold weather, and particularly snow storms, I have to admit that living in Utah has been easy compared to those living in the Southeast part of the country. With Hurricane Helene wiping out many communities in states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, having to shovel some walks and wear a heavy coat seems pretty simple.
Now many of these same people, along with thousands of others, are having to deal with the devastation of Hurricane Milton. It’s hard to believe that as I write this post, millions are still dealing with power outages, flooded homes and businesses, closed grocery stores and gas stations, and no access to healthcare facilities for those needing treatment.
The experts are calling these storms “once-in-a-generation events” and as such, it will take months, even years, to recuperate. Although many families would have been in trouble even with emergency supplies on hand, we’re hearing it’s the families who were better prepared who are helping their neighbors survive.
Every Community Is Prone to Experience Natural Disasters or Other Issues
The recent hurricanes have caused major damage from tornados, much like you’d expect in the mid-west or “tornado” alley. Many western states like Utah and California have frequent earthquake tremors with little property damage, but we’re told to prepare for “the big one” that could come any day with major devastation!
This has been a tough fire season for many U.S. locations due to drought conditions. Mark played golf last week in the mountains east of where we live and he said it was hard to see the full length of some golf holes due to the smoke from fires miles away.
The recent short-lived dock worker’s strike caused many people within the national supply chain structure to be laid off or have hours cut back. It was interesting to see shelves in stores like Costco become empty as people rushed to get toilet paper, not realizing that toilet paper doesn’t come on shipping containers on the East Coast.
We’re reading that this may be a tough flu season with new strains of the flu virus. There are other viruses causing challenging health issues. With that being true, the breadwinner in many homes may get sick and unable to work.
What Do I Have Stored For Emergencies?
I wanted to outline some scenarios where families are facing the risk of losing the ability to provide for themselves. We never know what might be headed our way, and we need to put together an emergency plan based on the most likely event in our particular area. I haven’t gone into detail regarding what you and your family need to have stored, but I have tried to set the stage for you to brainstorm and then take action. Once you have a plan in place you can use the printable charts that follow to help you track what you have stocked in your food and water storage. Please be prepared before you need to be.
Final Word
I hope you can use these printables to help you organize the food and water you have stored. Please print them on cardstock if you have some and place them in plastic sheet protectors. Part of being properly prepared is to plan ahead, acquire what you feel you’ll need, then keep track of usage and replace items needed. May God Bless this world, Linda
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