Emergency Preparedness | Regional Water Providers Consortium

Emergency Preparedness

Before there's an emergency: 14 gallons per person = water for 2 weeks. Get ready. Get water.

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Before There's an Emergency: Get Ready. Get Water.

 

Start your emergency prep with water.

People can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. This makes water the key ingredient in your preparedness efforts.

 

You need enough water to last 14 days.

That's how long it could take for help to arrive in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area after the major earthquake ("The Big One") that experts predict will take the water services and vital systems offline.

 

Your goal is to have one gallon of water per person per day.

This amount assumes that you will use about half a gallon for drinking and another half gallon to meet sanitation and food preparation needs. Include more water in your kit if your household has people with special needs or pets.

 

Store what you can, where you can.

You have options! You can purchase bottled water or use your own sanitized containers to store your emergency water supply. Your home’s water heater may also be an option. Be sure to have the things that you will need to treat additional water. It is better to have some water than none, so think creatively about how you can best use the space you do have to store water and items to treat water.

 

Getting prepared includes more than storing water.

Publicalerts.org provides emergency alerts via text, email, or voice message for free in the Portland - Vancouver region. The website also includes detailed information about building an emergency kit including a toilet, disaster planning, and ways to get involved.