Water Storage! 100 Essentials

Since we moved into the new house here in Oregon, we're just are not as prepared as we need to be. Water, is something that we have to have so we can up with this solution.

Check out your local grocery store for 5 gal water containers. They might even have a fill station like the one that I used. Even if your on a budget, like we are and purchase something every month to add to your preparedness, you can do this. 

I purchased four water containers and the water for less then $32. Realizing that you need one gallon of water per day per person (Don't forget your Pets). If the water is coming from a city source, it will already be chlorinated and you won't need to add anything to it to keep it for a year. If your not sure, then add a few drops of bleach.

5 Gallon Water Bottles for $6.95 ea. You need a Gallon of water per person per day...

Water filling station at the grocery store! .30cents per gallon

20 Gallons Ready to use! Less then $32

You can start with this but realize that, you need enough for your family and pets for at least 2 weeks to start. Adding more will only give you more backup or share with your neighbors. 

Preparedness doesn't have to be expensive but everyone should be prepared!

Let me know your thoughts and your suggestions! Keep adding to your 100 Essentials! https://www.amp-3.net/resources/

Getting You Better Prepared! 100 Essentials

We live in Oregon but no matter where you live, preparedness is for everyone! In Oregon, we need to prepare for the big one! Have you heard about the Cascadia Subduction Zone? Watch this!

Created by the Oregon State University IDEAS Visualization Team

Are you prepared with a Go-Bag? How about a Ham Radio? Do you know how you would get home if you had to walk? This is going to be a very bad day no matter how you prepare. Be smart NOW about how you prepare. FEMA tells you to be prepared for 3 days, how did that work out for the folks of Hurricane Harvey? Not well, they needed to prepare for 2 weeks instead. That is about what you will need here in Oregon for this very bad and disastrous day!

Two weeks of preparedness means, without help from the outside! You need to self sufficient for this time with your neighbors and surrounding community. Will you be able to live without running water, without being able to flush your toilet or electricity? It's more then just stuff that you will need to be prepared with. 

Preparedness isn't easy, it takes time and you have to have a plan. Do you know how to shut off your Natural Gas? Do you have the tool need to shut it off? Do you know how to shut off your water? 

Gas and Water Shutoff! Zip tie this to your Gas Meter! Be Ready....

Do you have satellite radio in your car? If you have a newer car, you probably do but you pay the $$ each month to use it. You will be able to get information about your area via Satellite radio in the event of a disaster. . Communication is key during any disaster.

Do you have a meeting place for your family. Have you practiced getting to this place. Remember, you may be walking to this meeting place be ready with a good pair of walking shoes. 

When experts talk about a 9+ earthquake hitting off the coast of Oregon, this is not a small event. It will effect the entire West Coast. 

Estimated Impacts:

The scenario Cascadia earthquake would be an unprecedented catastrophe for Oregon and for the United States. It would impact every aspect of life for all Oregonians and for the residents of northern California, Washington, and British Columbia. The effects of a Cascadia subduction earthquake will be greatest on the coast, which is right next to the subduction zone fault, and will diminish as one goes inland. This, in combination with Oregon’s mountainous geography, divides the state into four impact zones: within the tsunami zone, damage will be nearly complete. In the coastal zone, shaking will be severe, liquefaction and landsliding will be widespread and severe, and damage will be severe. In the valley zone, shaking will be strong, liquefaction and landsliding will be common but less severe, and moderate damage will be widespread. In the eastern zone, shaking will be mild, landslides and liquefaction sporadic, and damage generally light.

The impacts of a great subduction earthquake on Oregon are impossible to predict accurately, but several studies have estimated damage and casualties, and those estimates give a sense for how far- reaching a disaster the next great earthquake will be. Estimated consequences include:

• Earthquake deaths ranging from 650 to 5,000, with another 600 to 5,000 deaths due to the tsunami.

• 24,000 buildings completely destroyed, and another 85,000 with extensive damage requiring months to years of repair.

• Approximately $32 billion in economic losses.

• 27,600 displaced households.

These high levels of damage and loss reflect both the great size of the earthquake and the fact that many buildings, roads, bridges, and utility networks were designed before Oregon’s building codes and practices recognized any significant earthquake threats, and most were designed before codes began to take great subduction earthquakes into account. Lifeline systems, such as highways and pipelines, are particularly vulnerable to ground failure, which will be widespread in the next great earthquake. As a result, the vulnerability analyses done for this plan are grim. For example, if the earthquake were to happen tomorrow. 

Estimated Time to restore services: 

• One to three years to restore drinking water and sewer service in the coastal zone.

• One month to one year to restore water and sewer in the valley zone.

• Six to twelve months to restore partial function of the top-priority highways in the valley zone.

• Two to four months to restore police and fire stations in the valley zone.

• Eighteen months to restore healthcare facilities in the valley zone, three years or more in the coastal zone.

I am not really sure how you totally prepare for this situation but you still have to be aware and prepare the best you can if you live anywhere in Oregon.

What are Schools, Universities and Churches doing to prepare for this scenario? Have they even begun to talk to teaches, students or congregations on what to do in the event of this disaster? I am not really sure! 

Let me know your thoughts and what your doing? What is your plan?? We would really love to hear from you.... https://www.amp-3.net/resources/

 

Week Five is all about Water-Water is essential!

Everyone knows that you can last about a week without water and this depends upon the conditions such a extreme heat or exercise. Going three or four days without water will be longer then most of us will be able to do. At lease 60% of our bodies are made up of water and we need water to keep our bodies going. Water acts as a lubricate for our joints, regulates our body temperature through sweating and respiration and helps flush waste.

In preparedness, water is at the top of the list of what you need to have on hand. How much is always the question but you will never have enough. We have ten 15 gal water containers filled at all times. The Reliance Aqua-Tainer from Sportsman Warehouse are affordable and great to have on hand at your home or office.

In Portland, OR about 2 years ago, there was a panic that the Bull Run Reservior was contaminated. People were racing to the store to buy water and all the shelves were striped clean very quickly. We didn't have to worry because we already had out containers filled. 

Some other items to have on hand are The Berkey Water Filter system. Berkey water filers provide the ultimate in waterbourne contamination removal. Get the largest one the you can afford and an extra set of filers. The Berkey can serve 4 to 150 people with a single unit. You should consider having one of these at your work and home. You never know where your going to be when your going to need it. You will happy that you have this when the time comes that you need it. 

We believe in a layer system for your water needs. Having multiple systems will give you the flexibility to have systems and home as well as in your bug out bag while your on th move. While on the move, think about having The Life Straw. These are affordable, mobile and make contaminated water safe to drink. A stream, lake, water trough the life straw will remove bacteria and protozoa. We have these in our bug out bags and have used them in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. 

We hope that this will help you with your water preparedness needs. Share your ideas with others!