How to Prepare for a Drought
Drought Preparedness
Droughts are affecting more regions than ever before, some of which are lasting for years. Humans need water to survive, so even if you’re not a farmer, it’s good to prepare your family for times of water scarcity.
Drought Facts
The average American uses about 156 gallons of water per day. The average French person uses 77 gallons a day.
There are four types of drought:
- Meteorological: Less rain than we expected
- Agricultural: Less rain than a specific crop needs to thrive
- Hydrological: Less water in the watershed than expected
- Socioeconomic: Water access insufficient to meet human needs
A socioeconomic drought can happen even when there’s no meteorological drought in a region, if private water resources are not made available when public resources are exhausted.
How to Prepare for a Drought
- Track your family’s water usage to learn how much stored water you’d need if water access was limited.
- Store an emergency water supply at home. A rain barrel is a great resource anytime!
- Learn how to purify water through boiling, disinfecting, and purifying.
- Create an evacuation preparedness kit or purchase a prepackaged kit, since water scarcity is likely to increase your region’s chances for a wildfire.
- Conserve water always to help reduce your chances of encountering a drought. Use grey water on your plants, plant native species, and wash only full loads of clothes or dishes.
- Learn how to spot dehydration; any amount of thirst is an indication that you’re headed for dehydration!
Track Current Droughts
- The U.S. Drought Monitor releases an updated drought vulnerability map each Thursday.
- Their drought outlook maps can show you what the current month or season will likely hold.
Check Your Risk By State
- Learn about your state’s recent drought history by choosing area type “state” and entering your state.
- View your county’s recent drought history by choosing your state and clicking through the animation.
Don’t Store Water in Milk or Juice Jugs
These will breed scary bacteria! Cleaned soda bottles are okay, if you need more water containers. Commercially bottled water is safest.
Don’t Drink Unpurified Water
If you’re not sure that the water is safe, purify it by filtering, boiling, and chemically disinfecting with bleach or iodine.
Don’t Forget your Stay Bag
You’ll have at least two weeks of water for your family (at least 14 gallons per person) on hand with a properly stocked Stay Bag.