Most families are 72 hours away from a serious crisis if the power goes out. FEMA says only 39% of Americans have an emergency plan. Here is exactly what to buy, build, and store — aligned with official FEMA and Red Cross guidelines, updated for 2026.
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Emergency managers recommend every household have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for 72 hours — the time it typically takes for government resources to reach impacted areas after a major disaster. Our guide starts here, then builds to 2 weeks and beyond.
The 72-hour kit — sometimes called a "go bag" or "bug-out bag" — is the foundation of emergency preparedness. FEMA's Ready.gov program specifies these essential categories for every person in your household.
FEMA recommends one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. For a family of four, that's 12 gallons for a 72-hour kit.
A go-bag is a grab-and-go backpack for evacuation — compact, 72 hours, one per person. A shelter-in-place kit is stored at home for situations where you stay put — can be larger and last 2+ weeks. Both serve different scenarios; ideally you have both.
After Hurricane Katrina, major ice storms, and COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, FEMA updated guidance to recommend two weeks of supplies for households. This is especially important in areas prone to severe weather, earthquakes, or extended power outages.
Solar technology has advanced dramatically. A quality solar generator + panel setup can now power a small refrigerator, medical devices, phones, and lights for days or weeks during a power outage. Here is how to evaluate solar gear and what to avoid.
A solar generator stores energy in a built-in battery, charges from a solar panel, and provides standard AC outlets, USB ports, and DC outputs. Key specs to evaluate:
Your car may be your primary evacuation vehicle — or you may become stranded in it. Every vehicle should have a permanent emergency kit in the trunk.
Whether you're starting from zero or filling gaps, here are our top picks at three budget levels.
Best entry-level complete kit — covers the FEMA basics for 2 people at 72 hours in a single backpack purchase.
Best mid-range solar power station — 518Wh capacity with a 100W foldable solar panel charges phones, laptops, CPAP, and fans for 1–3 days.
Best whole-home emergency power setup — 1024Wh with LFP battery, charges in under 1 hour from wall, expandable to 2016Wh for multi-day outages.