How to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency

New York Times

30-07-2025

Recent disasters, such as the Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricane Helene, have driven home the importance of prioritizing a water-storage plan, even in areas where it seems unlikely to be an issue. Residents in both of these impacted areas — and even in some surrounding communities — were not able to access drinkable water from their taps for weeks. This was particularly challenging in rural North Carolina, where outside agencies and volunteers had a tough time accessing survivors due to the environmental damage.
Yet storing water — particularly an appropriate amount — can pose a challenge that goes well beyond adding extra items to your grocery list. At a bare minimum, Ready.gov (the Department of Homeland Security's preparedness-focused public-service site) recommends having a gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and hygiene purposes. So you'll need at least three gallons per individual to meet that three-day guidance. And you should consider upping that stock if you live in a rural area or a warm climate, are pregnant or nursing, have growing kids, or there is someone in your household with medical needs, among other considerations.
When it comes to water for pets, some emergency officials recommend that each pet has access to an ounce per pound per day, but it's worth consulting with your vet for their personalized advice. And don't forget to take into account your cooking needs. For example, if you opted for pantry items that require boiled water, such as pasta or grains, you'll need additional water to prep these meals.
Water is simply a necessity, so our general approach is this: The more you can have on hand, the better. Of course, it's great if you have the space, time, and funds to have a properly stored pantry full of safe, sanitized, and regularly rotated containers or pallets of water bottles. And we'll get into the logistics of that below. But if you don't, you can still find ways to make water preparation a priority, even as extreme weather approaches.
Wirecutter's resident water-quality expert, writer Tim Heffernan, said he believes in making the most of what you already have on hand when disaster strikes. If you're dealing with a storm, that might mean filling up your tub, along with any spare water bottles or water filters and pitchers, before it blows into your area. You can even fill up plastic containers, Heffernan says, and stick them in your fridge or freezer so that you have an extra source of chilled water.
'Cold water is like gold in the aftermath of a hurricane,' he adds.
If you're worried about disasters that tend to come with less notice, such as a wildfire or an earthquake, there are tools that can help you supplement your saved stash with whatever water is available.
You can use the Sawyer Mini to filter out bacteria and protozoa, and you can attach it directly to a water source or a water bottle. It requires little maintenance, and it's the smallest filter we tested.
The portable and versatile Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System is one of the recommendations in our guide to creating an emergency go bag. Its filter removes bacteria and protozoa, including E. coli and Giardia . However, it does not filter out waterborne viruses — for that, you'll need to use purification tablets. Boiling is also effective if you have access to extra water and a way to heat it.
Purification tablets — such as the Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Tablets and the Katadyn Micropur MP1 Purification Tablets — are relatively cheap, and they don't require much storage space. But they come with their own limitations. Each individual tablet can purify a liter of water, taking care of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. But the purification process takes four hours, so to make your water drinkable, you need to drop in a tablet hours before taking your first sip. These tablets also don't check all of the contaminant boxes you might be concerned about. So for added safety, we recommend using them in conjunction with a filter.
Consider these options to be your plan B (or C). Drink your clean, stored water first. Next, do your best to seek out a secondary safe source, such as a bottled-water distribution site. Finally, turn to these tools to decontaminate water from outside or otherwise-untreated sources. Remember, the top priority is staying hydrated — officials advise against rationing your water. If you're worried about having enough water to last you through a state of emergency, try to reduce your activity, and be sure to stay cool.
It can also be helpful to get familiar with your local municipal water provider and save the website. This way, after a disaster you'll know where to turn for boil-water notices or other updates, so you can determine whether to use, treat, or avoid turning on your taps. If you have your own personal water supply, such as a well, it will be up to you to test and assess your water. Store water correctly, and keep it useable Storing water long-term requires a mix of rotating supplies, using your storage space wisely, and keeping out heat and UV light. Soña Lee for NYT Wirecutter
Over the years, we've tested multiple large storage containers for water. And we've landed on three recommendations that will fit a variety of needs and spaces.
This container holds about enough water for one person for five days. It's tough and easy to use, even when it's full of liquid. But the contents of the container still tasted slightly of plastic, even after a few rinses.
Our testers found the Wolverine Tuff Bottle to be the best option of four collapsible water containers. Clocking in at about 40 pounds when full, it's a more portable and easily storable option than some of the bulkier containers below, but the clear, thin plastic makes it more vulnerable to the outside elements. For an even smaller (prepackaged) option, we recommend the Datrex Emergency Drinking Water Pouches, which can be tossed in your go bag and can last up to five years.
Rigid containers are generally more durable and leak-resistant, and the Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon has a built-in handle and spigot that will make it easier to use. This model weighs close to 60 pounds when full, and it is not designed to be stacked. So it'll be a fit for people who are comfortable carrying heavier loads and have ample storage space.
This large drum is made of food-grade plastic, and it stores multiple days' worth of water for an entire family.
The Augason Farms 55-Gallon Water Storage Barrel can store enough water for days, if not weeks, for more than two people. You'll need a pump to get the water out, though. And you probably won't be able to move it because the drum weighs nearly 500 pounds when full.
There are a couple of other things to consider before you purchase this water-storage container. First, depending on your living situation, it might not be practical or even possible to have multiple gallons of water ready and waiting at all times. Also, you should remember that it's not just about having the space but having the right space — somewhere dark and cool where the water will remain relatively undisturbed.
All of these containers require some prep and maintenance, as well. They must be properly cleaned and sanitized with bleach before each use. Also, be sure you can move them once they're filled, and make sure you can get the water out when it's needed (for some larger storage options, this might require using a pump). You'll need to rotate the water in these containers to prevent algae growth, chemical leeching, and bacteria buildup, though the sources I consulted were split on just how often this is necessary. Guidance is similarly inconsistent across government agencies: FEMA says to rotate your water every six months, but Utah's Department of Environmental Quality recommends rotating your supply every one to two years.
Lloyd Call's research has found that when water is stored properly in plastic bottles, it can stay safe long beyond these guidelines. So when it comes to her personal stash, she said she 'doesn't worry' about rotating her water on any specific schedule. For the rest of us, Lloyd Call encourages checking out FEMA's guidance for water storage.
But she also advises people to not let perfect be the enemy of getting prepared: If your space, strength, or upkeep tolerance will allow you to store only bottled water, that's still better than nothing. If this is the option you choose, it's best to use commercially bottled water that comes in plastic containers within one to two years, according to Schwan. But if it's stored properly, it's often safe beyond that timeframe. You can follow the same protocol that you established with food: Label your water supplies with a date, and check on those supplies at regular intervals to make sure they're holding up okay.
To call out a contradiction, we acknowledge that Wirecutter's sustainability editor, Katie Okamoto, has recommended cutting back on bottled water as a way to reduce consumption of microplastics. As we update our guides, we'll continue exploring more-sustainable and practical options, such as canned water.