we have this  1200 watt generator  $300.00

in case neighbour needs to borrow it

the grizz had trouble with pull cord -on manual start

but have replaced it  with a  5000 watt electric start

$700.00 ..

CARRY A  -   CELL PHONE AT ALL TIMES

MICROCHIP YOUR PETS NOW if you haven't already done so. 

DO NOT LEAVE THEM BEHIND.  If you for some reason do leave them DO NOT LEAVE THEM CHAINED OR CRATED.  It's a death sentence if the water rises too high or they can't get away from falling walls, ceilings and debris.  Also, they can't get away to find water or a rescuer.  Give them a fighting chance if you're not going to take them with  you, although I strongly encourage you to do so no matter what the circumstances or how inconvenient it might be.

Cat litter pan (if you have cats)

Get a harness and leash for your cat, even if under normal circumstances you would never use it (as if the cat would let you).  In an emergency situation, you will need it.   

Cat litter (if you're in a northern climate, you may have this in your trunk as many of us use it for traction on ice/snow when needed)

Paper cups/bowls

Granola bars, breakfast bars, boxes of raisins or other dried fruit, trail mix, cans of fruit (drink the juice), cans of nuts.  No cooking required and you can live on this stuff for days if you have to. 

If you have a travel bag/kit, keep it stocked and ready to go.  Include aloe vera gel for minor scrapes or dry itchy skin, tea tree oil (antibacterial) for cuts or burns and maybe Listerine for its high alcohol content if you need to disinfect.    A small sewing kit can come in handy. 

First Aid kit. 

Duct tape/rope/breathing masks (the disposable jobs that painters and carpenters use)

Got some old underwear and socks?  Instead of throwing it out, if it's still wearable, pack it in your emergency kit.  Same with tees or sweats -- you'll have several days of clothing without having to grab anything. 

If anyone knows how much water they recommend per person per day, please post.  I've heard this, but can't remember.  I want to say 3 gallons????

Thanks for mentioning us "hams" Jan. I've filled that role many times in the 30 or so years that I've had my license. Call WA4SCS, proud member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA)

Great post with great info
Need more go to www.redcross.org
Heres my chapter http://www.southerntierredcross.org/index2.htm

I lived for 12 years in the Florida Keys, which is prime hurricane country. Some suggestions from my own experiences:

Find out whether there are any amateur radio operators ("hams") nearby. They'll set up relays of messages to people if the phones are down (provided their own towers are still standing). After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, I was able to get an "I'm okay" message to my family. Good thing too, because I later learned that CNN had reported that "all the Keys have been completely destroyed". Georges in 1998 was bad too, but while we lost electricity and water for days, the phone service came and went, so I didn't have to use a ham operator that time.

Make a project of scanning all your family photos into high-resolution computer files and storing them on CDs or DVDs. Put the disks in a safe deposit box, send another copy to a trusted friend or family member for safekeeping, and, if there's room, keep another copy in your emergency kit. Then you don't have to worry about making room for all your photo albums when you evacuate.

Make sure you have at least a month's supply of any prescription medicine you need. (If it requires refrigeration, this is a challenge there's no long-term solution for yet, as far as I know.)

Remember to stock up your pets' supplies too and bear in mind that they'll have unpredictable reactions to the stress. Offer them extra comfort as often as you can, since you can't explain it to them. Make sure you have a secure place for them, especially if they're normally indoor-only pets. Also remember to protect them from too much sun -- they can burn too -- which may be hard if there's no more shelter and shade. Ask your vet about sunblock that's safe to use on your pet's ears, nose, etc. Keep a pet first-aid kit stocked.

Some items not yet mentioned for a disaster-recovery kit (admittedly mostly for hurricanes and other warm weather disasters, but some are universal):
...Cans of Fix-a-Flat. If your car is still functional after the event, it would only take two flat tires to render it useless. (First flat tire could hopefully be replaced by your spare, but there will probably be way too much debris in the road.)
...Day-glo bright spray paint. Not only is this good for putting messages on your home's walls or roof, it's also good for writing your street's name on the asphalt, which will help others locate you if all the landmarks (including street signs) are gone.
...Mosquito/bug repellent and antihistamine sticks for the ones that aren't repelled.
...A stout candle in an equally stout aluminum can makes a space heater for a tiny space. (insert obligatory "never leave a candle burning unattended" caution here)
...Waterproof matches, lighters.
...Canned food (did someone already mention this? I know someone mentioned a manual can opener. If I never see another canned "Vienna" sausage again in my life, it's too soon.) Plastic forks and spoons are a luxury if you have room -- you'll be surprised, though, at how willing you are to eat with your fingers when you're genuinely hungry.
...Individually wrapped handi-wipes. Lots of them. They also make large sizes that can be used for washing more than your hands and face.
...Purell hand sanitizer or the equivalent. Lots of it.
...A folding/lock-blade knife.
...A radio that will operate without wall power or batteries -- dynamo (hand-crank) and solar ones are out there.
...Several one-time-use batteries for your cell phone, available more and more widely now.
...Your insurance agent's contact information.
...Some form of identification that proves your address, in case you evacuate and have to prove you should be allowed in when the time comes.
...Cash. ATM/credit cards will be useless in a wide-spread power outage.
...Your Medic-Alert necklace, bracelet, etc., with up-to-date information, if applicable.
...Lots of heavy gauge plastic bags, self-sealing ("zippers" or built-in ties)
...A sturdy shovel.
...Bungee cords and heavy gauge tarps.
...Those "shake-able" flashlights put out a weak beam but at least don't need batteries.

If I remember any more stuff that I either had/did, or wished I'd had or done, I'll post back.

We, my wife and I, used to do lots of hiking. We did 2 week stints on the Apalachain Trail several times. While that was several years ago, we still have all the equipment and can be loaded up and out the door in an hour, maybe less, with enough to survive for as long as it takes. While not the optimal solution it works as a fall back incase the cars get crushed or something.

gingersnap wrote:

When storing water for survival gear, don't store it in used milk jugs, there is bacteria in milk that doesn't wash clean out of the plastic containers. Instead, used 2litre soda bottles work great. Also, don't forget to store personal items for emergency packs. I would hate to be stuck somewhere with no power AND no toilet paper Peace!!

Another tidbit about storing water, don't keep it more than 6 months. Even with treated water after 6 months algae start to grow. In some cases that can be worse than drinking unfiltered water.

When storing water for survival gear, don't store it in used milk jugs, there is bacteria in milk that doesn't wash clean out of the plastic containers. Instead, used 2litre soda bottles work great. Also, don't forget to store personal items for emergency packs. I would hate to be stuck somewhere with no power AND no toilet paper
Peace!!