Data sources: FEMA, USGS, Red Cross, Ready.gov, CDC Last updated: April 2026

ZipCheckup guide: Independent guide to earthquake emergency kits built around FEMA, USGS, Red Cross, and Ready.gov standards. Covers water, food, first aid, communications, and shelter for 72-hour to 2-week preparedness.

Why Have an Earthquake Kit

Earthquakes strike without warning. Unlike hurricanes or floods, there is no evacuation window, no weather forecast, no countdown. When a major quake hits, emergency responders are simultaneously overwhelmed across the entire affected region. The standard expectation — and FEMA's documented guidance — is that households must be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours before organized rescue and aid can reach them.

In high-seismic zones, that window can be much longer.

The US seismic picture by region:

The USGS National Seismic Hazard Model identifies several distinct high-risk zones:

• Pacific Northwest (Cascadia Subduction Zone) — Oregon and Washington face the most severe long-term earthquake risk in the continental US. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is capable of producing a magnitude 9.0+ megathrust earthquake. FEMA and Oregon Emergency Management have modeled a full Cascadia rupture causing thousands of casualties, widespread infrastructure failure, and isolation of communities for days to weeks.
• California — Multiple active fault systems, including the San Andreas, Hayward, and Puente Hills faults. The USGS estimates a 60% probability of a M6.7+ earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area within 30 years.
• Alaska — The most seismically active US state. Alaska has recorded 11 of the 15 largest earthquakes in US history, including the 1964 M9.2 Prince William Sound earthquake.
• Central US — New Madrid Seismic Zone — Covers parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. The New Madrid zone produced three M7.0+ earthquakes in 1811–1812. A comparable event today would affect densely populated urban areas with far less earthquake-resistant infrastructure than the West Coast.
• Intermountain West — Nevada, Utah, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming sit along active fault systems with moderate-to-high hazard ratings on the USGS map.

The 72-hour standard:

FEMA's Ready.gov guidance specifies 72 hours as the minimum self-sufficiency baseline. This reflects the operational reality that after a major disaster, first responders triage life-threatening emergencies first, and logistics for mass aid distribution take days to organize. Water, food, and medical supplies distributed through official channels typically reach most affected households within 3–5 days in a well-resourced response.

In a worst-case Cascadia scenario, FEMA modeling suggests some communities could be isolated significantly longer — which is why federal guidance for high-hazard zones now recommends 2 weeks.

FEMA 72-Hour vs 1-Week vs 2-Week Standards

Federal emergency preparedness standards have evolved significantly over the past decade, largely driven by post-disaster research and the specific modeling work done for a full Cascadia Subduction Zone rupture.

Current FEMA / Ready.gov recommendations:

Standard	Who It Applies To	Rationale
72-hour minimum	All households nationwide	Baseline before organized aid arrives
1 week	Urban/suburban households in moderate-high hazard zones	Extended response times in regional disasters
2 weeks	High-hazard zones: PNW, coastal AK, CA fault corridors, New Madrid Zone	Cascadia-scale modeling; infrastructure isolation scenarios

The shift toward 2-week recommendations began in earnest when Oregon's Cascadia planning documents — coordinated with FEMA Region X — modeled scenarios where road and bridge failures cut off entire counties for 1–3 weeks. The Red Cross and Ready.gov aligned their household messaging with this higher standard for at-risk regions.

Practical implication: A 72-hour kit is not wrong — it is the starting point. The goal is to build toward 2 weeks in stages. Start with 72 hours, add to 1 week within a year, and extend to 2 weeks if you are in a high-hazard state (CA, WA, OR, AK, NV, UT, MT, ID, WY, or the New Madrid Zone states of MO, AR, TN, KY, IL).

What MUST Be in Every Kit

Water

Water is the most critical and most frequently under-stocked supply in earthquake kits.

FEMA standard: 1 gallon per person per day. This covers drinking and basic sanitation. In hot conditions, or for physically active adults, 2 gallons per day is more appropriate.

• 72-hour kit: 3 gallons per person minimum
• 1-week kit: 7 gallons per person
• 2-week kit: 14 gallons per person

For a family of 4, a 2-week supply requires 56 gallons — which points toward bulk storage options rather than individual bottles. See the Water Storage section below.

Food

Target a minimum of 2,000 calories per person per day. Calorie-dense, non-perishable options are preferred because they reduce the total volume and weight of stored food.

Categories that work well:

• Commercially packaged freeze-dried meals (25-year shelf life; just add water)
• MREs — Meals Ready to Eat (5-year shelf life; no water required)
• Canned goods (2–5 year shelf life; require a manual can opener)
• Energy bars and high-calorie snacks
• Peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit

Avoid: Foods requiring refrigeration, extensive cooking, or large amounts of water to prepare. Post-quake, water is scarce and cooking fuel may be limited.

For dietary needs: maintain a 3-day rotating supply of comfort foods alongside emergency rations — caloric needs and morale both matter during a multi-day event.

First Aid

The minimum benchmark is an ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 Class A first aid kit, which covers basic wound care for a small group. For a household of 4+, a Class B kit (designed for 25 or more people) is more appropriate.

First aid kit essentials:

• Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes
• Sterile gauze pads and rolls
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
• Elastic bandage (for sprains)
• Tweezers and scissors
• CPR face shield
• Nitrile gloves (multiple pairs)
• Instant cold packs
• Emergency first aid manual

Prescription medications: Maintain a 30-day emergency supply of all household prescription medications. Rotate continuously so the kit supply never expires. Include a written list of all medications, dosages, and prescribing physicians — pharmacies and ERs will need this if records are inaccessible.

Communications

After an earthquake, cell networks are typically overloaded or down. Power is often out. A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio is the primary way to receive emergency broadcasts and evacuation instructions.

Communications checklist:

• NOAA weather radio (battery-operated or hand-crank) — covers all 7 NOAA weather frequencies and Emergency Alert System broadcasts
• Portable phone battery pack (20,000 mAh or larger) fully charged and rotated
• List of important phone numbers written on paper (phones may be dead)
• Whistle — for signaling rescuers if trapped

Light and Tools

• LED flashlight with extra batteries (or hand-crank)
• Headlamp for hands-free use (critical for clearing debris or helping others)
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
• Gas shutoff wrench — fits over the gas meter valve; essential for stopping a leak after a quake. Post-earthquake gas leaks are a primary source of fire. Store the wrench attached to or next to the gas meter.
• Work gloves (heavy-duty)
• Dust masks or N95 respirators (for post-quake dust and debris)
• Duct tape

Sanitation

Sewage lines are frequently damaged after major earthquakes, making toilets unusable.

• Portable toilet bags (WAG bags or equivalent) with powder treatment
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol, per CDC)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Small trash bags
• Basic soap

Documents

Keep copies — not originals — in a waterproof, sealable bag in your kit. Originals should stay in a fireproof safe or be digitized to secure cloud storage.

Document checklist:

• Photo ID (driver's license, passport)
• Health insurance cards
• Medical records summary (conditions, medications, allergies)
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance policy number and emergency contact
• Bank account and credit card numbers
• Social Security cards (copies)
• Emergency contact list
• Property deed or lease agreement

Cash

ATMs, card readers, and payment systems go offline when power fails. Keep small bills — denominations of $1, $5, and $20 — in your kit. A recommended minimum is $200–$300 in mixed bills. Exact change matters when commercial systems are unavailable.

Shelter

Most earthquake casualties occur indoors from structural collapse. If your home is damaged but you cannot immediately evacuate:

• Emergency mylar blanket or bivvy — retains up to 90% of body heat; essential if heating is unavailable
• Tarp (8×10 ft minimum) — covers broken windows, provides weather protection for sleeping outside
• Paracord — for securing tarps
• Tent or sleeping bags — if space permits, appropriate for households in cold-climate zones

Household-Specific Add-ons

Standard kit lists assume healthy adults. Adjust for your household:

Infants and young children:

• Formula and sterile water (if formula-fed); extra breast pump batteries if nursing
• Diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream (calculate consumption rate × 14 days)
• Child-sized medications (fever reducer, antihistamine)
• Comfort items (small toy, stuffed animal)
• Car seat if vehicle evacuation is possible

Pets:

• Food and water (2-week supply); collapsible bowls
• Any prescription medications
• Vaccination records and a recent photo (for ID if separated)
• Carrier, leash, or crate
• Waste bags

Elderly household members:

• Mobility aids (extra cane, walker, wheelchair-compatible evacuation path)
• Hearing aid batteries
• Written care instructions for medical conditions
• 30-day supply of all medications (clearly labeled)
• Medical alert information card

Chronic medical conditions:

• Diabetic supplies: insulin (stored appropriately), lancets, test strips, glucose tablets
• Cardiac: spare nitroglycerin, pacemaker/defibrillator documentation
• Respiratory: spare inhaler, CPAP battery backup if applicable
• Contact lens solution and spare glasses

DIY vs Pre-Packed Kits

Kit Comparison Table

Recommendations by Tier

Best 72-Hour Kit for One Person

A single-person 72-hour kit should be lightweight enough to carry on foot and cover water, food, first aid, communications, and light. For earthquake preparedness, prioritize calorie density over volume.

What to look for:

• Minimum 4,500 total calories (1,500/day × 3 days)
• At least 9 liters (3 gallons) of water or water pouches
• Battery or hand-crank radio (NOAA-capable)
• N95 dust mask (post-quake debris is a real inhalation hazard)

Price range: $50–$120

View top-rated 72-hour single-person kits →

Best 1-Week Family Kit

A 1-week kit for a family of 4 requires serious food volume — roughly 56,000 calories and 28 gallons of water. Most pre-packed "1-week family" kits fall short on one or both. The strongest options pair a pre-packed base with separately stored freeze-dried food pouches.

What to look for:

• 6,000+ total calories per day (1,500/person/day minimum)
• Water plan for 7 gallons per person
• Sanitation supplies beyond basics (WAG bags, full hand sanitizer supply)
• Prescription medication tracking list

Price range: $200–$500 depending on food quality and storage container

View top-rated 1-week family kits →

Best 2-Week Family Kit

Two weeks of supplies for a family of 4 is a serious preparedness commitment. Freeze-dried food (25-year shelf life) makes this practical from a rotation standpoint. Bulk water storage (55-gallon barrels) handles the water volume. The primary challenges are storage space and upfront cost.

What to look for:

• Freeze-dried food with NSF-certified shelf life claims
• Water storage solution (barrel or stackable containers)
• Sanitation kit sized for 14+ days
• Comprehensive document and communications pack

Price range: $400–$1,000+ (food, water, supplies combined)

View top-rated 2-week extended supply kits →

Best Pre-Packed Kit for a Family of 4

Pre-packed family kits are convenient starting points. Companies like Augason Farms and Wise Company offer well-regarded food-focused kits; brands like Judy focus on the complete kit experience with design and usability. Evaluate any pre-packed kit against the FEMA checklist before trusting it as your complete solution.

What to look for:

• FEMA-aligned contents checklist on the product page
• Food calorie count per day clearly stated
• Purpose-built storage container (waterproof, hard-sided preferred)
• At minimum: water, food, first aid, light, radio, sanitation

Price range: $150–$400

View top-rated pre-packed family of 4 kits →

Best Grab-and-Go Bag

A grab-and-go bag (go-bag) is designed for fast evacuation — you grab it and leave within minutes. It is not your primary shelter-in-place supply. Prioritize portability and document coverage over food volume.

Must-haves for any go-bag:

• Waterproof document pouch (ID, insurance, medical, cash)
• 4-liter water pouches (2 minimum; more stable in heat than bottles)
• 3,600-calorie food bar (Mayday or equivalent)
• Compact first aid kit
• Emergency mylar blanket
• Hand-crank or battery radio
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Phone battery pack
• N95 dust mask

Price range: $40–$150 built; $20–$80 assembled from components

View top-rated grab-and-go bags →

Water Storage

Water is the constraint that limits most earthquake preparedness plans. Here is how to solve it practically.

For Home Storage

55-gallon water barrels are the most cost-effective solution for household water reserves. A single barrel holds 55 gallons — enough to cover one person for 55 days, or a family of 4 for roughly 14 days, at FEMA's 1-gallon/day baseline.

• Store on the floor or ground level (a full barrel weighs approximately 460 lbs and must not be elevated where it could fall)
• Use a hand pump or siphon for dispensal
• Treat tap water with approved water preserver concentrate before sealing
• FEMA guidance indicates that properly stored water in sealed commercial or approved containers has a 5-year shelf life

For households without space for a 55-gallon barrel, stackable 5-gallon water containers or WaterBOB bathtub bladders provide flexible alternatives.

For Grab-and-Go Bags

4-liter Mylar water pouches are better suited for portable kits than standard plastic water bottles. They handle temperature fluctuations better, stack flat, and have a 5-year shelf life. Standard 500ml commercial water bottles can leach chemicals when stored in hot cars over extended periods.

Water Purification as Backup

Stored water covers the first phase. After that, options in order of reliability:

1. Portable hollow-fiber filter (e.g., Sawyer Squeeze) — removes bacteria and protozoa; does not remove dissolved chemicals
2. Water purification tablets — iodine or sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC); lightweight, effective for biological threats; poor taste
3. Boiling — only if fuel and a working stove are available; requires a 1-minute rolling boil (3 minutes above 6,500 ft elevation per CDC)

FEMA recommends storing water first and treating second — do not rely on purification as your primary plan.

Storage and Rotation

A kit that has expired is not a kit. Rotation discipline determines whether your supplies are actually usable when needed.

Shelf life by supply type:

Item	Shelf Life	Notes
Freeze-dried food pouches	25 years	Unopened, stored at room temperature; major brands (Wise Company, Augason Farms) publish certified shelf life
MREs	3–5 years	Temperature-dependent; 5 years at 60°F, closer to 3 years at 80°F
Canned goods	2–5 years	Rotate annually with household pantry use
Commercial water (sealed)	5 years	Per FEMA for commercially packaged water
Tap water (home containers)	6–12 months	Unless treated with water preserver, rotate annually
Batteries (alkaline)	5–10 years	Check annually; replace if voltage is low
First aid supplies	Varies	Check expiration dates annually; replace antiseptics, medications, and bandages per label
Prescription medications	Per label	Rotate at every refill; never let kit supply expire
Documents	Annual	Refresh any changed ID, insurance, or medical information

Rotation schedule:

Set one annual rotation date — many households use a birthday, New Year's Day, or the fall clock change (which also triggers smoke detector battery replacement). On that date:

• Replace batteries
• Eat and replace any food within 6 months of expiration
• Refill water containers if using home storage
• Review and update documents
• Check first aid expiration dates

Earthquake-Specific Prep

A well-stocked kit combined with an unprepared home environment creates gaps. These structural and household steps are specific to earthquake risk and are not covered in generic emergency preparedness guides.

Anchor Your Water Heater

Water heaters are a primary post-earthquake fire source. A fallen water heater can break its gas line, causing an explosion or sustained gas fire. In California, water heater strapping has been required for new construction under Title 24 since 1981. In older homes, it must be retrofitted.

• Strap water heater to wall studs with two metal straps — one in the upper third, one in the lower third of the tank
• Keep the gas shutoff wrench accessible — it should hang directly on or next to the gas meter, not stored inside the house

Gas Shutoff Wrench Location

Store the gas shutoff wrench outside or at the meter, not inside the garage or home. If the structure is unstable after a quake, you need to access it without entering. Attach it to the meter riser or exterior wall with a hook or zip tie.

Secure Heavy Furniture and Appliances

Falling bookshelves, refrigerators, and cabinets cause significant injury in earthquakes. The FEMA and Red Cross both recommend:

• Anchor bookshelves, filing cabinets, and wardrobes to wall studs (L-brackets or furniture straps)
• Install cabinet latches on kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• Move heavy objects from upper shelves to lower ones
• Secure your television and computer monitors
• Check that the hot water heater and any propane tanks are strapped

Drop, Cover, Hold On

The recommended action during an earthquake — reinforced by both USGS and the Red Cross — is Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

1. Drop to hands and knees — this prevents being knocked over and allows you to move if needed
2. Cover your head and neck with your arms; if a sturdy table or desk is nearby, get under it
3. Hold On until the shaking stops — do not run outside during shaking (most injuries occur from falling debris while moving)

Do not stand in a doorway — modern structures do not have reinforced doorframes, and doorways offer no more protection than other parts of the building.