Nowhere!
Don't be overwhelmed!
No, we won't.
Step 1: Water Containers
The most important thing you will need is water, since running water will be cut off for some time. The city of Portland says that you should have at minimum 2 weeks of water stored in your home in case of emergency.
How much is that? Figure one gallon per person per day. For a family of four, you will need 14 gallons per person, or 56 gallons.
7 gallon containers are convenient to store and represent enough for 1 person for 1 week. A family of 4 would consume 8 of these in 2 weeks. However, 7 gallons of water weighs 60 lbs – you may need two people to lift them.
| Image | Name | Description | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Reliance 7 Gallon Jumbo-Tainer | Features reliable “tap-style” spigot and dual grip-through handles for easy lifting and pouring. Our top choice due to its durable construction and form factor. With two handles, it can be lifted by two people, stacks conveniently upright, and is easier to carry than the Aqua-Tainer due to its thinner size. Can be placed on a table top and used as a dispenser. Spigot is reversible for easier storage. | $25.00 | |
 | Reliance 7-Gallon Aqua-Tainer | Space-saving rectangular design for easy storage. Threaded vent closure. Molded contour grip. Easy-to-use on/off spigot. Spigot is reversible for easy storage. They use space economically – for example, you could fill the floor of a closet with these and cover them with a foam or particle board to create a shelf, with no loss of usable space. 7 gallons is enough for 1 person for 1 week, and weighs about 60 lbs. | $19.99 | |
 | Reliance 4-Gallon Aqua-Tainer | A smaller version of this popular container. Less economical, but more appropriate for single people who would have difficultly lifting a 7 gallon container (60 lbs). One advantage of these smaller containers is that they can be stacked on their sides – but be sure to check for leaks regularly. | $17.99 | |
Step 2: The Essential Kit
Includes all items below. Items not sold individually.
$185.00
Key Ring Whistles (5)
Small, metal key-ring whistles.
Trauma Kit & Instructions
Custom kit for handling bleeding and other traumatic injuries. Comes with easy-to-read instruction cheat sheet.
Add Israeli bandage (training video)
Add Tourniquet (training video)
Instruction sheet
Gas Shutoff Tool
Custom metal tool designed to turn off residential natural gas. 10″ x 2″, locally manufactured.
NOAA Emergency Radio/USB Charger
FM, AM, and Weather channels and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be charged via an outlet, small solar panel, or hand crank. 3 AAA Energizer Max batteries included.
Bucket Toilets & instructions (2)
Two 5 gallon buckets with toilet seats. Bucket toilets come labeled with Portland Emergency Toilet Project instruction stickers on them.
Heavy Duty Toilet Bags (60)
Environmentally friendly .85 mil, 13 gallon Super Hexane waste bags for bucket toilet made by Evolution Bags out of 100% recycled materials.
Heavy-Duty Contractor Bags (3)
Three extra-tough, full size contractor trash bags for debris.
Heavy-Duty Plastic Sheeting (2)
Two rolls of 25″x20″ heavy duty (3mil) transparent plastic sheeting for sealing broken windows or other home repairs.
Max-Strength Industrial Duct Tape (2)
Two rolls of Duck Max Strength Industrial Duct Tape, 2″ by 35 yards each.
Water Heater Hose
Camco 4ft reinforced TastePURE drinking water hose for connection to water heater. Lead and BPA Free.
Battery-Powered LED Dimmer Lights (2)
3’x4.5″ long-lasting LED light with dimmer switch. Adhesive and magnets on the back for wall attachment. (3 AAA Energizer Max Batteries included in each light)
Battery-powered String Lights
16″ LED string lights (warm white) with 8 settings. (3 AA Energizer Max batteries included)
Don’t underestimate the possibility of being trapped. These whistles take little space on a key chain, and can also be put in a child’s pillowcase or left in basements or utility rooms with single points of exit.
Our kits are designed for potential mass casualty events or extended care without medical attention, with extra supplies including gauze for packing wounds, self-adhesive compression bandages, burn dressing, shears, and optional Israeli bandage and Tourniquet for those know how to use them.
After an earthquake, immediately check the gas lines outside your house. Portland authorities say to turn it off only if you smell gas. If you don’t have a crescent/monkey wrench bigger than 10″, you need a tool like this one.
This radio can be used to charge your cell phones or any other USB-rechargeable device. With no electricity, radios will also be an important source of entertainment.
- 10/12 hours continuous use with internal/AA battery
- 10 minutes of radio time for 2 minutes of hand cranking
After a major earthquake sewer service will be unavailable. The City of Portland is advising a two-bucket system where pee and poo are separated.
- Solid waste: collected in bags and stored until the city can collect it.
- Urine: can be emptied on the land over an area the size of your shadow.
You should anticipate broken possessions, glass, and debris that must be bagged and removed from homes for eventual collection by the city.
The most likely damage to your house will be broken windows. This heavy-duty sheeting will protect your home from the elements, especially in the winter. (Enough to cover 500 square feet of windows.)
A typical water heater has 40 gallons of drinkable water in it – enough for 10 days for a family of 4. This hose ensures access to that water even if your heater is difficult to access or falls over. It can also be used to drain water from a 55 gallon drum.
These backup lights can be adjusted for brightness and last far longer than flashlights, lanterns, or headlamps. They can be placed on the wall, on their side, or aimed at the ceiling for reflected ambient light.
- 37 / 72 hours at full / half power with 3 AAA batteries (included).
For eating meals, socializing, night lights, or bathroom lighting, LED string lights produce a warm white light similar to candlelight, without the danger of candles in a water-limited environment.
- 79 hours of constant use with 3 AA batteries – 2 months of dinners.