72-Hour Go-Bag
Everything each person needs to grab and evacuate in minutes.
Start building
Household emergency readiness
Practical supplies.
Peace of mind.
When the power goes out or the storm rolls in, the right supplies make all the difference. Build a personalized kit for your household in about two minutes.
Choose your kit
Two-Week Home Supply
Water, food and essentials to shelter in place when stores and services close.
Start buildingBlackout Backup
Light, power, cooking and communication for when the grid goes down.
Start building
Check alerts for your area
Know your risks
Natural and Technological Hazards
Every region faces different threats. Start with the ones that can happen where you live, then read the official federal guidance for each.
Technological
Power Outages
Grid failures, cyberattacks and storm damage can leave you without power for days.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalHurricanes
Stock water early, protect windows and know your evacuation zone.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalWildfires
Keep a go-bag by the door, N95 masks for smoke, and one clean-air room.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalWinter Storms
Plan to stay warm without power. Never heat with a grill or stove.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalFloods
Keep supplies and documents high and dry. Never drive through water.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalEarthquakes
Secure furniture, learn Drop, Cover, Hold On, and know how to shut off gas.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalTornadoes
Pick a safe room on the lowest floor and keep helmets and shoes there.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) NaturalExtreme Heat
Stay hydrated, know the signs of heat illness, find a cooling center.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) TechnologicalChemical Emergencies
Be ready to shelter in place and seal a room with plastic and tape.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) TechnologicalRadiation Emergencies
Get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. Use potassium iodide only when directed.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) TechnologicalPandemics
Keep masks, a thermometer and extra medication on hand.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab) TechnologicalCybersecurity
Protect accounts and devices that your emergency plans depend on.
Official guidance ↗ (opens in a new tab)What goes in a kit
The Core of Every Bunker Kit
Our builder scales these to your household, hazards and timeline.
Water & Food
One gallon of water per person per day, and shelf-stable meals that need no cooking.
See quantitiesLight, Power & Radio
Flashlights, a hand-crank NOAA radio, power banks, and optional solar generators.
See quantitiesTools & First Aid
A multi-tool, tarps, utility shutoff wrench and a stocked first aid kit.
See quantitiesHow it works
Ready in Three Steps
Our quantities follow published guidance from Ready.gov, the CDC and the American Red Cross, adjusted for the people and pets in your home.
- Your householdAdults, kids, infants, pets and medical needs.
- Your hazardsNatural and Technological Hazards where you live.
- Your listSuggested quantities, links to shop, and a progress tracker.
Preparedness guides
Learn What to Do Before, During and After
Practical, sourced guides with the gear we'd buy for our own families.
Essentials
How to Build a 72-Hour Go-Bag
Everything each person needs to grab and leave in minutes, packed the way emergency managers recommend.
PowerPower Outage Preparedness Checklist
How to get ready for a blackout that lasts hours, days or weeks, from lighting to medical devices.
Water & FoodHow Much Water Should You Store for an Emergency?
The 1-gallon rule, how to calculate your household's total, and how to store water so it stays safe.
PowerPortable Power Station vs. Generator: Which Do You Need?
How battery power stations and fuel generators compare for outages, and how to size one for your home.
HazardsHurricane Preparedness Checklist
What to do before hurricane season, when a watch is issued, and when a warning means it's time to act.
EssentialsEmergency First Aid Kit Checklist
What to keep in your home and go-bag first aid kits, plus the skills that make them useful.
Official resources
Where to Get Official Information
For alerts, evacuation orders and disaster assistance, rely on these government agencies and your local emergency management office.
Ready.govready.govFEMA's national preparedness campaign: kits, plans and hazard guides. (opens in a new tab)
FEMAfema.govFederal Emergency Management Agency: declarations and response. (opens in a new tab)
DisasterAssistance.govdisasterassistance.govApply for federal assistance after a declared disaster. (opens in a new tab)
National Weather Serviceweather.govWatches, warnings and forecasts for your area. (opens in a new tab)
National Hurricane Centernoaa.govStorm tracks, forecast cones and advisories. (opens in a new tab)
USGS Earthquake Hazardsusgs.govReal-time earthquake data and hazard maps. (opens in a new tab)
AirNowairnow.govAir quality and wildfire smoke by ZIP code. (opens in a new tab)
CDCcdc.govHealth guidance for disasters, outbreaks and carbon monoxide. (opens in a new tab)
CISAcisa.govCybersecurity and infrastructure advisories. (opens in a new tab)
USA.gov Disastersusa.govDirectory of federal disaster and emergency services. (opens in a new tab)
These links open .gov websites in a new tab. We don't control their content, and listing them does not mean any agency endorses this site.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water do I need for an emergency?
Plan for at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation. A family of four needs 12 gallons for 3 days or 56 gallons for 2 weeks, plus extra for pets, hot climates, nursing mothers and anyone who is ill. This follows Ready.gov guidance.
What should be in a basic emergency kit?
Ready.gov recommends water, non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes and garbage bags, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, a manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
How many days of supplies should I keep?
Keep a 72-hour (3-day) go-bag for each person in case you must evacuate, and at least a 2-week supply of food, water and essentials at home in case you must shelter in place.
Is it safe to run a generator or camp stove indoors?
No. Generators, camp stoves, grills and other fuel-burning equipment produce carbon monoxide, which can kill. Use them outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors and windows, and keep a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector in your home, as the CDC advises.
Is The Blackout Bunker an official government checklist?
No. The Blackout Bunker is an independent site. Our suggested quantities are calculated from publicly available guidance from Ready.gov, the CDC and the American Red Cross, but we are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.
How does The Blackout Bunker make money?
Some links go to Amazon, and we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a household needs, not on commission.
Do I need to buy everything on the list?
No. The list is a set of suggestions. Start with items marked Priority, use what you already own, and build up over time. Optional upgrades like solar generators are just that.
Is my information saved?
Your answers and checkmarks stay in your own browser so you can come back to your list. We don't collect or store them.
Is this medical advice?
No. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about emergency supplies of prescriptions, infant formula and medical equipment.
