September is National Preparedness Month. At the Portland Water Bureau, we prepare as part of our daily work—hardening the backbone of our water system and building storage that will last for generations. In an emergency, everyone has a role to play. What’s your role?

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for an emergency is to have an emergency kit that includes water. People can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. In the Pacific Northwest, your kit should be able to sustain your entire household (pets, too!) for 14 days. Experts predict that our region is overdue for a major earthquake that will severely damage water systems and other infrastructure. When this occurs, it will take time for emergency supplies to reach the greater Portland-metro area. You will need to rely on your own resources until help arrives.

Safely storing water for an emergency is an important step in getting your emergency kit together. Need help getting started?

• See HOW to store your emergency H2O. http://bit.ly/storing-H2O
• See WHERE to store your emergency H2O. http://bit.ly/storing-H2O
• See WHAT types of containers to use for your emergency H2O. http://bit.ly/storing-H2O
• Using your own containers to store water for an emergency? Here’s how: http://bit.ly/storing-H2O