94 Days After Sandy 1900 Homes are Still Without Heat, Power and WaterDaisy Luther, Contributor Some families are getting assistance from FEMA and going to hotels, which they must leave every two weeks, go and apply for more vouchers and then check back in to the hotel. Others are sleeping in tents. Still others have remained in storm damaged homes without electricity, water or heat. Sandy hit the area on October 29. It has been 3 full months and President Obama just got around to signing the aid bill. Could it be any more clear that you are on your own after a disaster? If you are not prepared, you, too, will be at the mercy of FEMA, waiting months for the President to get around to authorizing aid, huddled in a tent through the frigid months of winter. How would you cope with this? Think seriously about 94 days in this situation. Would you be prepared? If you are a prepper, this is the type of thing you prepare for. If you arent a prepper, does this situation inspire you to get started? Think about what youd need to survive 3 months without utilities. In this particular situation, people are able to go out and purchase things, so as bad as it is, it could be worse. In a completely down-grid situation you need: An alternative heat source that does not depend on natural gas or electricity Fuel for your heat source Non-fuel warmth items Water (these figures will vary based on the season) A way to cook, or at least heat, food Fuel for your cooking method Food, particularly items that require little or no cooking Coolers (can be packed with snow in the winter in some situations you might be able to purchase ice) Cleaning supplies that dont require water Ways to keep clean Convenience items (these items will reduce your need for water) Lighting Entertainment most people depend on the grid for the majority of their entertainment here are some ideas to entertain yourself and the kids without power This list isnt meant to cover everything a person would need for 94 days without power. If you arent yet prepared, this offers some suggestions for you. Everyones situation is different. You may have resources in your environment that will help you make it through an emergency that will rule out some of the preparations here. The biggest step is to realize what your needs will be and figure out how you would meet them if a disaster like this struck your home tomorrow. As you sit there on your computer reading this, nearly 2000 families on this continent are trying to stay warm, clean, fed and healthy without electricity or running water. Its not just something that occurs in places like Haiti or Thailand. Our grid is so susceptible that it can be taken out by an ice storm, a summer thunderstorm or a confluence of events like Superstorm Sandy. Spend some time thinking about how you and your family would fare and then think about ways you can improve your odds. Have you lived through an extended power outage? What challenges did you face and how did you meet them? Share in the comments! Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor. Her website,The Organic Prepper, wherethis article first appeared, offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy onFacebookandTwitter, and you can email her atdaisy@theorganicprepper.ca linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 