I assume that in most circumstances in a disaster situation I would be likely to shelter in place. When I think about what that would look like in practice, it is mostly about not having electricity and about not having access to my usual helpers.

Another scenario that I consider is one in which power is restored before internet access. This is important because many devices in my home are smart devices that are set up on WiFi through Google Home. One precaution that I take when purchasing small appliances is to purchase devices that can be fully operated with WiFi and without. So they have fully featured buttons.

Human Resources

Get to know your neighbors! I live in an urban area, and have gone out of my way to introduce myself to my closest neighbors and make sure we have each other’s contact information. For me, that includes the folks who live directly above me, and the folks who live next door to me.

Get to know others in your neighborhood. Other disabled folks can often band together and share resources. Able-bodies folks can help access and distribute resources. Early in the pandemic a mutual aid organization in my town experimented with the idea of bock captains.

It might be useful for several folks to shelter together in one place. Building an emergency and disaster pod in advance could help consolidate physical resources and take advantage of differences in ability to contribute labor. This might be several disabled folks together, or a mix of disabled and able-bodied folks. The podmapping resources from SOIL could be really useful in thinking about this.

Connecting with any kinds of mutual aid organizations or community organizations in advance can also be useful. There was an initiative where I live early in the COVID pandemic to set up block captains. I think this is a great idea that could be really useful.

Keep a battery powered or hand crank radio for information. It’s also useful to find out what radio stations are available in your area and write down the station numbers in advance.

Environment

  • Headlamp
  • Lanterns and batteries
  • LED candles
  • Real candles, especially in glass jars, with matches or a lighter
  • Things to keep you warm: emergency blanket, chemical heat packs, sleeping bag, staying in one room with the door closed
  • Things to keep you cool: battery powered fan, chemical ice packs
  • If you are relying on things with batteries, make sure you stock spares

Pantry/Food

I have significant dietary restrictions that make this process daunting. I have to make compromises to keep some things around that I wouldn’t normally eat, and know that I may just have to deal with symptom consequences. I try to keep extras on hand of any shelf stable food that doesn’t need cooking that I normally eat.

  • Several gallons of water. Ready.gov recommends a gallon/person/day, but some of us might need more. And those of us with pets need enough for them as well. I try to keep 8-12 gallons on hand. I also have a Lifestraw.
  • Pre-mixed protein shakes
  • Rice cakes
  • Cereal
  • Peanut butter
  • Jerky
  • Protein chips and bars
  • Boxed coconut milk
  • Snacks! Chips, popped popcorn, dried fruit, nuts
  • Survival Tabs
  • Paper plates, bowls, cups: If water becomes scarce, and people to wash dishes are scarce, then disposables make things easier.
  • Paper towels

Hygiene

  • I have gone through periods when I’ve need a commode, and it’s a great resource to have in emergencies if one loses access to water. While most folks empty commode buckets into the toilet, you can also buy plastic liners for commodes, and absorbent pads that turn liquids to gel. I keep a stash of all of these supplies on hand. I also have a travel bidet and a stash of baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
  • As someone who is able to shower infrequently, I keep a variety of kinds of disposable wipes around: face, body, baby.
  • Having extra water on hand is also helpful.
  • Trash bags

Medical Needs

  • A basic first aid kit. I have antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, aloe, bandages, etc.
  • Rescue meds for allergies, pain, GI distress, etc.
  • Ice packs, heat packs, ace bandages, braces, etc.
  • Extra water and electrolytes
  • I encourage anyone who takes prescription medications to have their doctor write prescriptions for three months at a time. Most of the year you’ll have extra on hand. And it reduces the number of times you need access to transportation or have to navigate supply chain shortages.
  • I keep extra sorted pill boxes in my bug out bag as well

Activities and Comfort Items

  • I have a couple of books of puzzles like Sudoku
  • Paper books
  • Some TV shows and books downloaded onto a charged device like a tablet
  • Games to play with others. I like to have simple games that anyone can learn, like Fluxx
  • Stim items
  • Stuffies aren’t just for kids!

Pets

  • Pets need water too! Make sure you account for this when you stock up.
  • Try to stockpile some extra pet food and treats when gathering your own food. a few weeks extra could really help.
  • If you have a dog, think about what you might need if you can take them outside. Consider a box of puppy pads.