🌵 Drought Preparedness: When the Water Runs Low

💡 Fast Facts That Could Save Your Life

  • Droughts are slow-building disasters that can last months or even years
  • They increase the risk of wildfires, crop failure, water contamination, and power outages
  • Drought often leads to boil water advisories or complete water shutoffs in rural areas
  • A single person uses up to 100 gallons of water per day—drought prep is about cutting that drastically

⚠️ Why Droughts Are So Dangerous

  • Water Shortages: Drinking water, irrigation, and emergency response all suffer
  • Sanitation Breakdown: Less water = poor hygiene, more illness, and rising disease risk
  • Food Insecurity: Crop failure and livestock loss can cause price spikes and shortages
  • Wildfire Risk: Dry landscapes become tinderboxes, especially in summer
  • Power Outages: Drought affects hydroelectric generation in many areas

📍 High-Risk Areas

  • Southwestern U.S.: California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
  • Prairie & Western Canada: Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC interior
  • Any area with frequent heatwaves, water restrictions, or seasonal rainfall patterns

🚨 Signs Your Area Is Entering Drought

  • Local water restrictions begin (lawn bans, washing restrictions)
  • Soil hardens or turns to dust
  • Wildfires become more frequent
  • Taps or public sources run dry
  • Livestock or crops show signs of stress or die-off
  • Boil water advisories issued for well or municipal systems

💧 Drought Emergency Kit Essentials

  • At least 1 gallon of water per person per day (minimum 7-day supply)
  • Water purification tablets, straws, or gravity filters
  • Large containers for storing water (food-grade barrels or jugs)
  • Baby wipes and no-rinse hygiene products
  • Dry shampoo and composting toilet bags
  • Spray bottles for controlled cleaning/rinsing
  • Bucket or graywater system for flushing toilets
  • Emergency food supply (freeze-dried, canned goods)

🚪 Stay or Relocate?

🏠 Shelter in Place If:

  • Water is still running, and sanitation is manageable
  • You’ve prepped backup water, hygiene tools, and filtration
  • Your area has resources like distribution centers or community cooling zones

🏃‍♂️ Relocate Temporarily If:

  • Water is shut off or declared unsafe to drink
  • Medical needs (e.g., dialysis) rely on clean running water
  • You’re in a rural area where well levels are critically low
  • Wildfires threaten your region due to dry brush

⏳ Droughts can last for weeks to years, so preparation should include long-term water conservation and storage planning.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Drought Safety Tips for Families

  • Train children on when not to flush, waste, or spill water
  • Keep a written plan for hygiene and cleaning without running water
  • Cook with low-water methods (e.g., foil meals, canned heat)
  • Use colored buckets to separate drinkable, graywater, and waste
  • Rotate stored water every 6–12 months, or treat it with safe additives

✅ Trusted Drought Resources

⚠️ Information Accuracy: This page summarizes official guidance from trusted sources such as Canada.ca, Public Safety Canada, and FEMA to make preparedness simple and accessible for everyone.