10/16/26

Simple Emergency Preparedness

Plans and provisions for riding out power losses including free printables for a pantry checklist and recipes using canned and dry goods.

Let me start by saying I'm no authority on anything discussed here. I don't consider myself to be a "prepper" or an expert on the subject. Below is a simple outline on how I have planned for electricity, heat, lighting, water and cooking.

These plans are specific to my set-up which includes natural gas (stove and gas logs) and an electric well pump. Everyone's needs and resources will be different - this is information for solutions that work with mine.

Free Printables

I have created public Google Docs that you should be able to open and print. If you are unable to, email me at mandy@southyourmouth.com and I can email you a pdf file.

ELECTRICITY

We have a big, heavy, loud gas generator for extended power losses. Since it's not easy to roll out and fire up, for my birthday this year I asked for an electric portable power station. This is perfect for the essentials (modem, router, tv, phone charging, fans) for 6-10 hour periods. It has been such a gamechanger! I even bought a 200W solar panel for recharging it. I keep extra extension cords (and painters tape for taping them down to prevent tripping).

HEAT

We have gas logs so I don't have any clever home-heating hacks for you. I keep 2-mil plastic sheeting and painters tape in my "Emergency Kit" to tape off unused rooms (formal dining room, hallways, office, etc.) to contain the heat to the rooms we need it in. For extended outages in colder weather, I would also tack up blankets for more insulation. 

LIGHTING

I have three sources of lighting, each serving different purposes (from task lighting to ambient lighting)

  • Battery Lightbulbs - these are rechargeable lightbulbs that can go into any lamp or can be hung with included hooks. 
  • Oil lamps - I have two similar to these (mine were my grandmother's). Every few years I replace the fuel and wicks. With fresh fuel, these will burn cleanly for days.
  • Unscented candles - I have a few cases of these unscented utility candles and often grab Catholic prayer candles at Walmart (they're cheap, unscented and come in glass containers).

WATER

We have a well so I have to reserve water before a power outage or connect another power source to the well long enough to fill my reserves.

  • Utility Water - Any time we're expecting bad weather, I fill our biggest bathtub (approx. 50 gallons) for flushing toilets and cleaning. During hurricane season I usually keep it filled (changing the water once a week) and lay a sheet of 1-mil black plastic right over the surface of the water to discourage algae and keep bugs and dust out. We also have a rainwater catchment barrel that was given to us. If we ever need it, it could be a lifesaver (or at least make life a lot easier!).
  • Drinking Water - I have two collapsible 5.3-gallon containers I fill ahead of storms. Since these are collapsible, they are easy to store without taking up much space. In addition, I keep a Brita water filter pitcher in case I need to dip into the reserved tub water.

COOKING

I have a gas stove so everything regarding stove-top preparation going forward are things I can do since I have that setup. To do the same, consider buying a propane camp stove (outdoor use only - not safe to use inside) or a gas grill with an attached stove burner.

I've considered building myself a modern "haybox" to fit my largest Dutch oven. Hayboxes were used for slow-cooking to conserve fuel and wood. Once boiling, a heavy pot can be covered and enclosed in a box stuffed with hay. The hay will insulate the pot so contents will stay hot and continue cooking for hours. This is perfect for stews and dried beans. If you don't have access to a natural gas stove, you might consider looking into one too!

COFFEE

This might not be something on your emergency preparedness list but it's on mine! I love this pour-over coffee pot with an insulated carafe. The coffee is perfect and it stays warm without boiling or cooking. I buy powdered cream (actual CREAM, not "creamer") and it's lovely! I just mix it up with a little more water than the instructions say to make homemade "half-and half".

FOOD STORES

I dedicated space in my pantry and laundry room for keeping this supply. I use and replenish it so that it stays fresh and stocked. This was not something I did all at once. When I first decided to do this, I would add 1-2 items to my grocery list each week. It took a few months but I eventually had my supply where I wanted it!

You can get food-grade 5-gallon buckets with sealable lids at Tractor Supply. I keep the sugar, rice and flour in those and keep everything else in its packaging sealed in XL zip-top bags or mason jars.

Printable Pantry List 

Dry Goods

  • Rice - 25 pounds rice
  • Sugar - 25 pounds 
  • AP flour - 25 pounds
  • Grits - 10 pounds
  • Crisco - 2 48-oz cans
  • 15-Bean soup - 5 packs
  • Pinto beans (dried) - 5 bags
  • Butterbeans (dried) - 5 bags
  • Powdered Cream - 1 lb
  • Egg noodles - 4 bags
  • Macaroni noodles - 4 lbs
  • Instant oatmeal - 1 box
  • Ritz crackers - 1 box
  • Beef bullion - 2 boxes
  • Chicken bullion - 2 boxes
  • Ham bullion - 2 boxes
  • Salt - 2 cartons

Canned Food

  • Green beans - 12 cans
  • Cowpeas (various) - 12 cans 
  • Evaporated milk - 12 cans
  • Ham - 12 5-oz cans
  • Spam - 6 12-oz cans
  • Tuna - 12 5-oz cans
  • Chicken - 6 12.5-oz cans
  • Salmon - 6 14.75-oz cans 
  • Diced tomatoes - 10 cans

Prepared Food

  • Cream of chicken - 12 cans
  • Cream of mushroom - 12 cans
  • Vegetable beef soup - 6 cans
  • Peanut Butter - 2 48-oz jars

RECIPES

There are dozens of simple things you can make with the above items (noodles with bullion, sandwiches, ham/tuna/chicken salad, peanut butter crackers, rice & beans, etc.) and here are a few recipes to make as well. *I keep packets of mayo from takeout and fast-food orders for making sandwiches and salads. 

Printable Recipes (Google Doc)

Ham & Beans

  • 1 bag dried beans
  • 6-8 cups water  
  • 2 cans ham

Soak beans overnight per package directions. Cook soaked beans with included seasoning packet or ham bullion and water until tender. Add canned ham, season with salt and pepper to taste, then continue cooking 1 hour longer. Cook with more water for soup or less water to serve over rice.

*I don't usually soak beans but this will reduce cooking time and use less fuel. 

*I always buy Hursts beans that include a ham seasoning packet. If using plain beans, season with ham bullion. 

Chicken & Noodles

  • 1 bag egg noodles
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 chicken bullion cubes
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can chicken

Cook noodles in water and bullion until just tender. Stir in cream of chicken soup, canned chicken and pepper to taste. Cover then remove from heat. Let rest until sauce has thickened then serve.

Stovetop Tuna Casserole

  • 1 bag egg noodles
  • 1 can cream of mushroom 
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 cans tuna, drained
  • 2 cups crushed crackers

Cook noodles in liberally salted water until tender, drain then add back to the pot. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk (or pasta water), canned tuna and S&P to taste. Cook and stir over medium heat until until sauce has thickened. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over top then serve.

Salmon Hash & Grits (or rice)

  • 1 can salmon
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • 1 Tbsp Hot sauce

Drain salmon very well then cook and stir in a skillet over high heat with oil (or shortening, butter or bacon grease) and S&P to taste until some of the salmon starts to get crispy. Stir in hot sauce then serve over grits or rice. Consider cooking rice with canned tomatoes when serving this.

Macaroni & Tomatoes

  • 2 cups dry macaroni
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup crushed crackers

Cook macaroni in salted water then drain well. Add oil (or shortening, butter or bacon grease), tomatoes (with juice), sugar and S&P to taste to the pot then cook over high heat until juice is reduced by half. Stir in cooked macaroni then fold in crushed crackers.

Spam Fried Rice

  • 4 cups cooked rice
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 can Spam, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Soy sauce

Sauté Spam and onions in oil until onions are soft. Add cooked rice, garlic powder, soy sauce and black pepper to taste. Cook and stir until heated through.


EMERGENCY KITS

Here are the basics of my "kits". These are all items I keep stored together for easy access. Each bin/box is clearly labeled with what is in each. 

Basic Supplies

Comfort Kit

First-Aid 

  • Alcohol - 2 big bottles
  • Imodium for anti-diarrheal 
  • Ibuprofen or Tylenol for fever reducing
  • Benadryl for allergic reactions
  • Standard first-aid kit (bandaids, antibiotic ointment, etc.)


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