Prepare for the Unexpected: Eli McCann’s Guide to Food Storage, 72-Hour Kits, and Surviving Doomsday Scenarios

For as long as I can remember, my family had a tradition. Twice a year, we would audit our emergency backpacks, labeled “72-hour kits.” These kits were meant to prepare us for any disaster, inspired by Sunday school lessons or public service announcements.

My dad led the audits. We’d sit in a circle, with my mom taking notes. The minutes went unreviewed, but they made the event feel important. We dug through our bags, checking supplies like matches, flashlights, and a peculiar amount of hard candy. Mom said the candy was chosen for its long shelf life.

We pulled out ponchos, ensured they were intact, and examined odd items we couldn’t quite place. Dad usually declared us unprepared for whatever disaster was suggested during the recent church talk. Then, we would stuff everything back into the bags and forget about them, just like the jars of applesauce collecting dust.

In our neighborhood, the “prepper” mindset was growing. Some families had basements stocked with supplies, while ours housed musty sleeping bags and dehydrated fruit. Schools held fire and earthquake drills, where we huddled under desks, pretending they would save us.

During those anxious times, my friend Mandy and I hoarded candy under her bed, convinced a famine was coming. Our secret stash was discovered by older kids, and we cheered them on as they devoured the candy.

As an adult, my canned applesauce never made it to the table. I often found myself in drills at work, led by someone like the serious HR rep who seemed to thrive on order amidst chaos.

Then came 2020. A pandemic pushed everyone into their homes, leading to grocery shortages. Toilet paper disappeared from shelves, and panic spread. I turned to my old emergency supplies, handing my husband a can I hoped still contained food, though the label was faded.

Just days later, an earthquake struck. Our house shook violently. In that moment, all my preparedness training dissolved into chaos as we screamed, unsure of what to do. We forgot the drills and simply stood scared.

After the quake, Skylar turned to me and asked, “What happened to all that training?” I thought about our dusty emergency kits filled with stale food. We laughed and agreed to revisit our supplies, but we never did.

This experience highlights a growing need for preparedness. According to a recent survey by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), about 60% of Americans feel unprepared for a disaster. The pandemic has made many rethink their emergency plans.

While we joke about our past, it’s clear that being prepared is more important now than ever. An expert in emergency management suggests that regular audits of supplies not only keep us ready but also bring peace of mind.

As we navigate uncertainties, updating our emergency plans can help us feel more secure. Who knows what the future may hold?



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