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El Niño Emergency Supplies List
What to stock for three days without power, water or open roads, with the quantities that matter.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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A family of four needs at least twelve gallons of water for three days, counting one gallon per person per day, which is what the CDC recommends. Three days is the logic for the rest of the kit too: light, charge, food that needs no cooking, first aid, medication, papers and cash. The list also reminds you about pets, babies and anyone who relies on medical equipment. It assumes you're staying home, with a go bag in case you have to leave. It leaves out region-specific hazards such as heat and mosquito-borne disease.
Why these items are on the list
- Water, at least 1 gallon daily each. The CDC figure for at least three days; a family of four needs at least twelve gallons.
- Extra water for pets and hygiene. Count medical needs, pets, food preparation and basic hygiene when you work out how much to store.
- Shelf-stable food, at least 3 days. Choose food that needs no cooking, such as ready-to-eat canned meat, fruit or vegetables.
- Can opener. Pack one alongside the canned food.
- Pet food. Don't forget food for pets; a leash or carrier helps if you need to leave.
- Battery or wind-up flashlight. Flashlights are considered safer than candles, which carry a fire risk during outages.
- Spare batteries. For flashlights and the radio, plus a backup battery for any medical equipment you rely on.
- Battery or wind-up radio. Gives you updates during a power outage.
- Fully charged power bank. Charge phones, power banks and lights whenever a major storm is forecast, and pack charging cables.
- First aid kit. Include items like bandages, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves, medical tape and tweezers.
- Prescription medications. Refrigerated medicines and powered devices need a plan; ask how long yours keep unrefrigerated.
- Cash on hand. ATMs don't work without power, so keep some cash at home.
- Copies of important documents. Identification, insurance papers and emergency contacts, kept in waterproof storage.
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Useful for hygiene when the water is off.
- Warm clothing. Part of a basic 72-hour kit alongside lighting, a radio and medications.
- Baby supplies. Things like diapers and formula; ready-to-feed is best, since you may not be able to boil water or sterilize bottles.
- Go bag for each person. Keep it light, near an exit, and check for expired supplies and dead batteries.
- Waterproof pouches for documents. A roll-top dry bag can help protect documents and electronics from rain and splashes.
- Keep gas tank at least half full. Stations can't pump without electricity, so fill up ahead of severe weather.
- Generator outside, 20+ feet from windows. The El Niño Guide says at least 20 feet from windows and doors, and never indoors or in a garage.
Tick items off as they land in your kit, and use the notes to check quantities at the shop. Share the list so two people can split the shopping.
When to use it
Use it before storm season to stock a kit, and again every so often to replace expired items.