| necessity | quantity for 90 days (2 adults + 1 large dog) | note |
|---|---|---|
| water | 338 gal total, store 30 days (about 23 five-gallon jugs) | filter plus bleach or tablets for the rest |
| adult food | about 300 lb (rice, beans, lentils, oats, pasta, flour, oil, canned goods) | about 2,200 kcal each per day, low sodium cans |
| dog food | about 108 lb | same brand he eats now |
| cooking fuel | two 20 lb propane tanks plus a camp stove | outdoor use only |
| heat and warmth | 2 sleeping bags rated to 0°F, wool layers, blankets | heat one room only |
| carbon monoxide and fire safety | battery CO alarms, smoke alarms, fire extinguisher | one per level |
| power and light | power station, headlamps, lanterns, batteries, weather radio | keep phones and power banks charged |
| medicines | 90 days of prescriptions for you and the dog | ask your doctor and vet |
| first aid | adult kit plus a separate dog kit | take a first aid and CPR class |
| sanitation | bucket toilet, 36 rolls of toilet paper, soap, trash bags | 300 dog waste bags |
| go-bags | 3 bags: one per adult, one for the dog | include documents and cash |
| dog gear | crate, harness, leash, ID tag, bowls, bed | plan pet-friendly shelter in advance |
| documents and cash | copies of IDs, insurance, vet records, $300+ in small bills | waterproof pouch plus a digital copy |
The official advice is to keep 3 days of food and water. but outages, storms and boil notices can last a lot longer, and a big dog doesn’t wait. here’s what actually matters.
Water comes first. plan on 3.75 gallons a day for two adults and a 90 lb dog. that’s 338 gallons for 90 days, which is too heavy to store. keep 30 days (about 23 five gallon jugs) and add a filter plus bleach or purification tablets for the rest.
Food is mostly cheap staples. about 300 lb of rice, beans, lentils, oats, pasta, flour, oil and canned goods covers two adults. buy low sodium cans, since you’ll be rationing water. the dog needs about 108 lb of his usual food. a sudden diet change means diarrhea, which is the last thing you want.
Heat one room, not the house. choose a small room, hang blankets over the doors and windows, and use 0°F sleeping bags. never run a stove, heater or generator indoors. carbon monoxide kills people and pets every winter, so get battery powered alarms.
Sort out medicine and sanitation early. ask your doctor and vet about 90-day supplies. set up a bucket toilet before the water stops.
Pack three go-bags: one for each adult and one for the dog. many shelters don’t take pets, so line up pet-friendly places in advance.
Build it in stages: 3 days first, then 2 weeks, then 30 days. you don’t need to buy it all at once, you just need to start before you need it.