My extra multi gallon containers of water are precious to me now. Maybe I can use them as rollers for a little card that I leave town in…
Just watching the news. Brock Long, FEMA director, essentially said that the important thing for the American public to understand is that no matter who you are, nobody is immune to disaster.
Tornados can knock out whole towns.
I couldn’t link the story cuz it’s a blog. But the author recounted local volunteers “sorted and bagged (and bagged and bagged) hoards of ‘ugly’ Christmas sweaters…heavy winter coats…lingerie…stained undergarments…prom dresses…”
She suggested gift cards or $ to local charities, sponsoring a family, Amazon has something going. There’s more but I don’t know if I can mention some before a little vetting. She also emphasized we not forget other areas.
Personally, I hesitate about money to orgs with high admin costs.
Huh. I used mine for two months on the Great Divide. All the other riders I met on the Divide had filters, and I never heard of anybody buying a new filter in the middle of the trip.
@sherpa As I watch coverage of Irma’s impact on St. Maartin and Barbuda this evening, one more thought to share that might bring some comfort - although the winds from Irma will be damaging, the USVI are pretty mountainous (St. Croix a little less so). So wind damage will be a factor but flooding less so than some other islands.
If you can move a 24 bottle case of bottled water, which contains over three gallons of water, then presumably you can equally move a three gallon container you filled with water yourself.
Roll them. Put a couple of movingmen under and slide. Use a handrtuck.
The 5 gallon containers I get have a big handle. Still, they are heavy! It doesn’t help that I see the water delivery guy carrying 3 at a time when I can barely manage one.
The Poland Spring 2.5 gallon containers have a handle and a small spigot and they’re stackable.
Getting bottled water in advance is something that people do. It is accessible, easily transported and can give a level of comfort that you are preparing yourself . Like getting flashlights together, getting gas, getting cash, charging devices, etc. I recycle all the time, have for many years. But, if I hear a major hurricane is bearing down on me or my family, the last thing I want to worry about is learning some water filtration system I’m not already familiar with. Those living in hurricane areas that already bottle tap water, etc. , that’s great. Every family should do what they feel is best when facing a potential disaster. Those of you commenting from other areas I’m sure deal with disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, etc. in your own ways. All the best to those dealing with the effects of Harvey . And my thoughts are with those waiting for Irma.
Fang, you and the trail buds may have had better filters than D1 was looking at. We were at REI, but I’d guess most would be dependent on WalMart or Target.
Long ago, I heard the bleach tip for earthquake preparedness. Apparently, a well rinsed bleach container does it.
One area in which small portions of bottled water (anything below a gallon) is natural disasters or situations in which it’s not practical to lug around a 2.5+ gallon tank or assume one’s water dispenser won’t get damaged or contaminated by some natural disasters.
In short, much more sensible in natural disasters than areas where one’s tap water is safe to drink and there’s plenty of restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, water fountains to quench one’s thirst.
A small bottle or two won’t meet one’s needs more than a day and barely that. The issue in many areas is just how fast the public supply can get corrupted, even with controls. In the past 50 years, lots has been done to protect, but it’s far from universal and still vulnerable. You could be good today and SOL tomorrow, when something does go awry.
Another emergency water source-
If you have a traditional water heater tank and your basement doesn’t end up flooded you can use all that water in the tank for drinking. Just turn off the power to your tank (flip the breaker) so you don’t damage your tank if you drain it, close the supply valve into the tank so it won’t be corrupted if water treatment fails in your community, open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house to allow air into the tank, and you’ll be able to open the valve at the base of the tank. You’ll want to drain the sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank over time, but once that’s done you should get good, clear, potable water… You can always add a drop or two of bleach to be on the safe side.
True. However, if one stocks up with several packs of 24 bottles…each of which are sealed up and could be parted out as needed, much more practical than having a few 2.5 gallon tanks…
Several 24-packs are no more “practical to lug around.”
Bottom line is we hope people prepare, as they can. They can refill smaller bottles, if needed, but need a practical base supply.
Bff’s sis and BIL left Tampa yesterday, got caught in the massive traffic out, double the usual time to reach the GA line, north of Jacksonville.
You can break out 24 packs and carry a few at a time. You can’t do that with 5 gallon container. You can rool it to move but getting water out of it isn’t all that simple either. I can fiil the tub but I wouldn’t know how to collect drinking water. A few large pots? If available, I too would buy bottled water.
One person can easily carry two 2.5 gallon water jugs with spigots (think like boxed wine). They come with handles and they’re easy to stack even after opened. Once you break open a case of water (3 gallons) it’s tough to carry even the one without the bottles spilling everywhere. On the other hand, it’s easier to distribute individual bottles so if you’re planning to share with strangers the bottles might work better.
https://www.samsclub.com/sams/poland-spring-natural-spring-water-2-2-5-gal/164231.ip
You see 24 packs in stores more often than 2.5 gallon jugs. To some 2.5 gallons can be heavy to lift. To me, either one you can get hold of. I was thinking the big kind that sits on a dispenser. No idea how many gallons it holds.
There is really a discussion ongoing about 24 bottle packs versus 2.5 gallon jogs of water?