Remote Alaska to Stockpile Food, Just In Case

Another interesting article from KSL.com, written by Becky Bohrer, Associated Press.

"Alaska is known for pioneering, self-reliant residents who are accustomed to remote locations and harsh weather. Despite that, Gov. Sean Parnell worries a major earthquake or volcanic eruption could leave the state's 720,000 residents stranded and cut off from food and supply lines. His answer: Build giant warehouses full of emergency food and supplies, just in case."

Read the full article at the following link:

Remote Alaska to Stockpile Food, Just In Case

Utah Fires Remind Us to be Financially Prepared for an Emergency

With wildfires affecting every corner of our state this summer, many families have seen their homes threatened and, in some cases, have been forced to evacuate. These situations should prompt us to think about whether we would be prepared to handle a similar situation.

KSL.com contributor Rob Brough shared his ideas in this KSL article. Click on the link below:

Fires a reminder to be financially prepared

Water Container Order Followup

Thank you to all who have participated in our group Water Container Order.  I appreciate all of you that prepare yourselves for emergencies.  Because we prepare, we WILL be better able to deal with emergencies as they come our way.

Some of you were asking how to prepare your water for storage. I would probably give your new containers a good rinse out before filling them up...

• I fill mine a couple of inches with water, pour in a little bleach, shake them up really, really good, drain, and rinse one more time with plain water, just to be sure.

Some have inquired if you need to add anything to the water - like bleach.  Be really careful with the bleach...if you use too much in your water, it can cause diarrhea! 

I got this from an article on the web:

How should I treat the water for storage?

Be sure that the water you are treating is drinking-quality water to begin with. To treat water for storage, use liquid household chlorine bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use bleach with soaps or scents added. Add the bleach according to the table below, using a clean, uncontaminated medicine dropper.

4 drops bleach per quart or liter container of water

8 drops bleach per 2-quart, 2-liter, or ½ gallon container of water

16 drops bleach, or 1/4 teaspoon, per gallon or 4-liter container of water

When treating larger quantities of water, use the following table to convert drops to standard measuring units.

8 drops = 1/8 teaspoon

16 drops = 1/4 teaspoon

32 drops = ½ teaspoon

64 drops = 1 teaspoon

192 drops = 1 Tablespoon

384 drops = 1/8 cup which is equal to 2 Tablespoons

Stir the water and allow it to stand for 30 minutes. Chlorine should be detectable by odor after the 30 minute waiting period. If the water does not smell like chlorine at that point, repeat the dose and let it stand another 15 minutes. Place caps on containers and attach labels describing the contents and when each was prepared.
Water stored in metal containers should not be treated, prior to storage, with chlorine since the chlorine compound is corrosive to most metals. Therefore, only very pure water should be stored in metal containers.

I have posted some files in the 'documents' tab at the top menu bar of the blog.  Also, you can google terms like 'water storage' and 'water purification' to find additional information.

620 million Hit By Largest Ever Power Outage

Nearly 620 million are without power in India after three regional power grids collapsed today. The power outage marks the largest ever blackout in world history.

India, which has always had a stressed infrastructure, now can not provide power to more than half the country.

Hundreds of trains stalled and traffic lights went out, causing huge traffic jams in New Delhi. Emergency workers are also rushing to save coal miners who are trapped underground without electricity to get them out.

The power outage has raised concerns about India’s government to meet the economic needs of its people. India’s Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde reported to USA Today that the crisis was the fault of states using more than their allotted amount of electricity.

"Everyone overdraws from the grid. Just this morning I held a meeting with power officials from the states and I gave directions that states that overdraw should be punished. We have given instructions that their power supply could be cut," Shinde said.

The power outage is affecting 620 million people across 20 of India’s 28 states. That amounts to double the population of the United States.

India is prone to regular power outages, however they have never experienced something as widespread. However, many citizens are familiar with the situation and use backup generators. Major hospitals and airports are using backup power sources.

Reportedly, power was later restored to the northeast part of India however, it went down again.

The blackout also coincides with the country’s deadline to file your tax return. Many Indians were worried that they would now miss the deadline due to lack of electricity and transportation. The government has since extended the deadline an extra month.

Article posted from TheReadyStore.com

How Much Water Do I Need??

Following is contents of an email to a friend that I thought would be good to post here

Question:

"...do you agre with this article (water - most important requirement for life) when it says we should have two 55-gal containers of water PER PERSON? that seems really high for a slightly larger family of 4-6. That would be 1 gal per day for 3 months. But for 6 people, twelve 55-gal containers would take up a large room or half my garage...I also have a couple of filters and some Bleach on hand, but I thought I was in good shape with 150 gallons..."

Response:

FEMA recommends the follow on their website:

How Much Water do I Need?

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.

Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

• Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
• Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
• Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.

But in my mind, FEMA is a bare minimum...for example, my family:

5 gal per day X 3 days = 15 gallons – seems way to little

            5 gal per day X 2 weeks = 70 gallons – two weeks is more realistic

            10 gal per day X 2 weeks = 140 gallons – more comfortable living (drinking, washing, supporting other less prepared family members, etc)

I think you are right on.  Sometimes articles from “prepper” websites can be a little excessive.  On the other hand, it is very well worth it to be over-prepared that under-prepared.  Also, remember other sources of water in your home, like the water heater, water pipes, toilet tanks, etc.

And, great job on having filters, bleach and other ways to purify water…!!

I suggest to people that have the big 55gal drums, to also have a few 5 gallon containers placed around the home, in closets or something, for 3 reasons:

           

1.       if we have an earthquake and half the house lands on your main water supply, you may be able to find a 5 gal container you placed in your house in a separate location.

2.       if you need to evacuate the area, it’s much easier to take 5 gal container with you.

3.       if you run out of water and a water truck is dispatched to the area, you can take that empty 5 gal container to fill.

Just some thoughts…

55 Gallon Barrel Uses

I found some interesting videos on YouTube on what people have done with their 55 gallon water storage drums.  Check them out!!

Multi-level storage system to make:

Multi-level storage system to purchase:

Rain water collection system

A compost tumbler:

A root cellar

Bulk Water Container Order - Foothill Stake Area

Bulk Water Container Order

For anyone living within the Foothill Stake boundaries, we have a great opportunity to purchase, in bulk, water containers.  These are food grade containers in various sizes for your home emergency water storage needs. Below are the item we will be purchasing.

55 Gal drum   

DRUMS

55 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31.94 ea

30 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34.93 ea

15 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22.87 ea

DRUM PUMPS

4A Siphon Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.71 ea

1/2" Self Priming Super Siphon Hose . . . . …. . . $7.12 ea

5-GAL WATER CONTAINERS

5 Gal

5 gallon Natural Hedpak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.25 ea

Cap included

5 gallon Blue Square - stackable . . . . . . ... . . . $6.41 ea

Cap not included–use M082T

Cap for Blue Container above. . . . . . . . . . ... . . $0.50 ea

SPIGOTS

3/4" Flo-Rite Spigot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.11 ea

Pricing shown are approximate…you will be contacted with our actual price when our quantity discount is determined.

Dates to remember:

• July 27^th           Orders are due in to Dave Anderson 6^th Ward – email slcfoothillnet@gmail.com
• August 3^rd         Payments are due
• August 10^th       Pickup containers 6pm – 8pm or to be determined

Those purchasing will receive a confirmation email, sent by myself, on their order and a request for payment.  

Payments need to be received no later than Friday, August 3rd.

Pick up your water containers at the LDS Church building at 1933 So. 2100 E. Parking lot on Friday, August 10th. 

(Note: We can not store any containers for later pickup – ALL CONTAINERS MUST BE PICKED UP THIS DAY)

Click here for the order form:

Bulk Water Container Order Form