How Much Emergency Water to Store (and How to Store It)
You can go a long time without food. You can't go long without water. After a hurricane, public water systems can lose pressure or be placed under a boil-water notice, and bottled water disappears from stores fast. Storing water ahead of time is the single most important preparedness step.
How much to store
A widely used guideline is one gallon per person per day: roughly half for drinking and half for basic food prep and hygiene. Store more if you have:
- Hot weather (common after summer storms)
- Children, nursing mothers, or anyone who is ill
- Pets: plan for their needs as well
Many households in hurricane-prone areas aim for several days to two weeks of supply.
Best ways to store water
Commercially bottled water is the simplest option. Keep it sealed, in a cool, dark place, and rotate it based on the date on the package.
Food-grade water containers (jugs and stackable bricks sold for emergency storage) let you store more water in less space. Look for containers labeled food-grade.
Avoid milk jugs (they're hard to clean and degrade quickly) and any container that held chemicals.
Filling your own containers
- Clean food-grade containers with soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
- Sanitize them with a diluted bleach solution, following public-health guidance for the dilution, then rinse.
- Fill with tap water from a safe, treated public supply.
- Seal tightly, label with the date, and store away from sunlight and chemicals.
- Replace self-stored water periodically, following public-health recommendations.
Water for flushing and cleaning
Before a storm hits, fill bathtubs and large buckets. This non-drinking water can flush toilets (pour it into the bowl) and handle cleaning if your water service is interrupted. If you have small children, keep filled tubs supervised or covered.
If your supply runs out
If you must use water of unknown quality, treat it before drinking. Boiling is one of the most reliable methods; public health agencies publish instructions for boiling and for disinfecting with household bleach when boiling isn't possible. Always follow any boil-water notice issued by your local utility.
Don't forget the hidden water in your home
Your water heater tank and the ice in your freezer can be emergency sources. Learn how to safely drain your water heater before you need to.
Follow your local water utility and public health department guidance during and after storms.