Supplies and provisioning

Plan to provision your household for at least 2 weeks. Then build your stock pile a little at a time until you have at least 2 month’s worth. If you have visitors stuck with you because they can’t get off island, you will be glad for the additional supplies. Ideas for what to stockpile abound on the internet. All offer good advice. Mostly it’s important to personalize what you gather - you want to enjoy what you eat after a disaster. Scott James’ book Prepared Neighborhoods is an excellent source for ideas and specific safety supplies to obtain. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Learn about our possible disaster hazards from our Washington Department of Natural Resources

• Conduct your Household Readiness Assessment

• Here is a general check list of the many categories of items you should consider stockpiling

• Gather 2 week’s provisions over 12 weeks

• Prepare in a Year—one major task each month

• Example of a well stocked pantry

• Your To Go/Stay Away Bag is especially personal. This also serves as your stay-away bag if you are caught off island and cannot easily return. These are ideas to stimulate your own thinking.

• Consider creating a To Go Bag for your child as well, which they perhaps leave in a locker at school for the year.

• Consider your pet’s needs. They need preparing, too, those who live indoors with you and those in the barn. What food and supplies do you need for them? Who will care for them if you can’t get home?

  • FEMA provides an excellent list of supplies and considerations to protect our beloved companions.

  • Our Washington Department of Health also produced an excellent flyer

  • The American Veterinary Association suggests considerations for your livestock.

• Get your radio so you can communicate if the cell phone networks go down

• Sign up for Island County ALERT messages so you are notified of pending emergencies