Cache-ing In

There are lots of articles about placing caches of stuff for emergencies out there in preparedness-land.  Most have to do with what to put in them and how to secret these goody-boxes on public or uninhabited private land.  

The most likely emergency around here is a flash flood.  50 years ago, a flash flood killed several people and washed buildings away. It was more than a small gully-washer, with some people waking in time to tread water in their bedrooms. 

Most of the floods since have been smaller, but the potential remains. With forecasts of a wet winter, part of my emergency preparation is to mini-cache on high shelves INSIDE the house. It may sound strange, but to have dry food, clean water and some comfort and hygiene gear while recovering from several feet of water in your house and yard could come in handy. Burying them outside would mean slogging through goo and hoping landmarks did not change during the flood.

My high caches are in those olive drab Army first aid kit boxes. These are sturdy, lightweight and have a good water proof seal.  For what they provide, they are also fairly cheap, around $15. The plastic is heavy enough to be fairly mouse-proof and large enough to hold some stuff like food, water, a change of socks and undies, ID, toothbrush, cash and even a cell phone.

I also keep heavier stuff in 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids. A fleece blanket, a few MREs, a full change of clothes and shoes, soap or shampoo. A couple of these buckets are on the closet floor. Even if these float away, I'll have some relief from the high mini-caches.

This shows the inside and relative size of the first aid box. Each holds about 700 cubic inches of stuff.