You do not need a bunker. A small kit in the closet and a few well-chosen items in the car cover most outages and storms, and most of it doubles as camping gear.
What to look for
- Weather radio: SAME alerts, battery plus crank or solar, and a USB port for charging a phone.
- Light: a headlamp for each person and a lantern for the table; check battery type and runtime.
- Power: power banks, and a portable power station if you want to run more than phones.
- Water: storage containers and a filter or purifier for outings and outages.
- First aid: a kit sized for your household, with any prescriptions you rely on.
- Food: shelf-stable meals and a camp stove, used outdoors only.
- Weather gear: rain and cold layers, sturdy shoes, gloves.
Where to buy locally
These stores carry many of the items above. Call ahead for stock.
- Tractor Supply Co. in Cullman, Hanceville, Arab and Hartselle: generators, fuel cans, water tanks and work gear.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors in Cullman and Florence: lanterns, stoves, coolers and first aid.
- Lowe’s in Athens: generator sales, with an installation referral page.
- Local feed, hardware and farm stores in your own town are often the best source of fuel storage, tarps and tools.
Groups worth joining
Training and community beat gadgets. Madison County CERT trains residents in basic disaster response, and Huntsville-Madison County RACES is an emergency amateur radio group. Many counties also have amateur radio clubs; the ARRL club finder lists them.
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