There are tons of survival websites with information on procuring supplies and battening down the hatches so I don't usually write about those issues. But in talking to people in my neighborhood, I was surprised how many of them hadn't even put enough water aside for a few days. This sort of preparation is a cornerstone concept of Protective Offense as opposed to Self Defense. Protective Offense is about pre-planning and preparation. You don't have to be a doomsday prepper to put water aside in case of a storm. If sandy has taught us anything at all, I hope it's to be better prepared for life.
1 gallon of water per person per day. That's one survival rule that should be common knowledge, especially for those with children counting on them.
Flooding often causes water contamination, so we all need to find a closet or some inside spot to store water. That's usually the hardest part. Where to put it. We all lack space. One creative way is to, stack water boxes in the shape of a coffee table, put plastic (to protect the cardboard) and then a more attractive material table cloth over them. Poof! Instant coffee table. You can also get PBA free plastic containers (I've use Shelf Reliance but there are many other vendors). Rain barrels are great, but you must purify, boil or distill the water before you drink it. Also, rain barrels and other large outdoor containers must be drained for the winter or they will ice up and crack, so your drinking water should be stored inside where it won't freeze. If you lose heat during a storm it's still unlikely to get below freezing inside if you keep everything closed up.
To be continued...
Links:
Disaster Prep:
http://deviprotectiveoffense.com/know_your_disaster/
http://www.allstate.com/be-aware-and-prepare/hurricane-tornado-damage-prevention.aspx
Skills and Training:
http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
First Aid Lists:
http://mommyandmeselfdefense.com/diy_first_aid_kits/
Supplies: