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To the Editor:
The winter storm that slammed Texas is a reminder that disaster can strike at any time, often with little warning. Millions of Texans are without access to clean drinking water and hundreds of thousands without power. Texas officials have placed 13 million people — more than a third of the state’s population — under a boil water advisory.
With grocery store shelves wiped out, this serves as another example of the importance to prepare your home for the unexpected. Ready.gov recommends having one gallon of bottled water per person per day for at least three days on hand for drinking and sanitation. Families should prepare their pantries with a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each member of the household. These can include ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, protein bars, peanut butter, non-perishable pasteurized milk, and food for infants. Medicines and other essential items such as batteries and flashlights should also be stockpiled.
If the last 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that we can never be too prepared. Whether it’s coming up with an evacuation route, shelter plan, or re-evaluating the contents of your emergency stash, make sure you and your family are prepared in the event of a disaster.
For more suggestions and information, visit DisasterChecklist.org.

James Bowers
Disaster Checklist
Washington, DC