Are You Prepared for a 10-Day Disruption?

We have a what the weatherman is calling the worst storm of this season coming in this weekend. Snow and Ice with temperatures in the single digits. I know for some this doesn’t sound so bad but for us in West Texas,  I’m afraid we may not be prepared. This has me thinking maybe I should always be prepared for a few days of disruption. With this storm we have time to get prepared but that may not always be the case.

I’m not talking about end-of-the-world prepping but something more likely to occur. Such as a weather storm that may knock out power for a few days or possibly an internet blackout that may leave you and most businesses unable to transact business for a week or so.

I think this is a good simple list I pulled from Gemini AI to help be prepared “Just in Case.”

1. A “Cash Stash” in Small Denominations

If the internet is down, credit card processors and ATMs won’t work. Banks may be closed or limited.

• The Tip: Keep $300–$500 in a secure place at home.
• The Key: Use $1, $5, and $10 bills. If you try to buy a $5 gallon of milk with a $100 bill during a crisis, the clerk likely won’t have change for you.

2. Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank NOAA Radio

When the internet and TV go dark, you lose your connection to the outside world.

• The Tip: An emergency radio allows you to hear weather updates and local news broadcasts.
• The Key: Look for a model that has multiple power sources (batteries, solar, and a hand crank).

3. A 14-Day Supply of “Ready-to-Eat” Food

Cooking during a power outage is difficult. For retirees, avoid heavy “survival buckets” that require boiling gallons of water.

• The Tip: Stock up on “open and eat” items: canned soups, tuna pouches, peanut butter, crackers, and fruit cups.
• The Key: Ensure you have a manual can opener that is easy on the grip if you have any arthritis.

4. Backup Power for Medical Devices

This is the most critical item for those who use CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, or motorized wheelchairs.

• The Tip: Invest in a “Portable Power Station” (like a Jackery or EcoFlow). These are essentially giant batteries that are safe to use indoors (unlike gas generators).
• The Key: Test it beforehand to see exactly how many hours it will run your specific device.

5. A Non-Digital “Contact Book” & Paper Maps

We rely on our phones for every phone number and direction. If your phone dies or the cloud is inaccessible, that info is gone.

• The Tip: Write down the phone numbers of your doctor, pharmacy, children, and neighbors in a physical notebook.
• The Key: Keep a local paper road map. If you need to leave the area and GPS is down, you’ll need it.

6. LED Lanterns (Not Flashlights)

Flashlights are for searching; lanterns are for living.

• The Tip: Place one LED lantern in every room (bathroom, kitchen, bedside). They provide 360-degree light and allow you to move around hands-free, which reduces the risk of trips and falls.
• The Key: Avoid candles. They are a significant fire hazard, especially in the dark.

7. A “Water Buffer” (1 Gallon Per Day)

If the power goes out, municipal water pumps can eventually fail, or well pumps will stop immediately.

• The Tip: You need 1 gallon per person, per day. For 10 days, that’s 10 gallons.
• The Key: Don’t forget an extra 5 gallons just for flushing the toilet and basic hygiene (sponge baths).

8. 30-Day Medication Buffer

Supply chain or banking issues can make it impossible to refill a prescription for a week or two.

• The Tip: Try to time your refills so you always have at least a two-week “cushion” of your vital medications.
• The Key: Keep a physical list of your prescriptions and dosages in your emergency kit in case you have to see a different doctor.

9. Temperature Control (Low-Tech)

Without AC or heat, the house can become dangerous quickly.

• The Tip (Winter): High-quality wool blankets and Mylar “space blankets” to trap body heat.
• The Tip (Summer): Battery-operated neck fans and cooling towels.

10. “Analog” Entertainment

The psychological toll of 10 days of silence is underrated.

• The Tip: Have a “boredom bag” ready with physical books, decks of cards, crosswords, or a jigsaw puzzle.
• The Key: This helps keep anxiety levels low and keeps the mind sharp when there’s no news or social media to consume.

I hope this list starts you thinking about being prepared for the unexpected. This is meant as only a starting guide and is certainly not comprehensive as everyone’s needs differ.

Let me know how prepared you are. I would also like to hear your thoughts and what you would add or takeaway from this list.

Thanks,

Wes