In my 13 years of covering extreme-weather events across the United States, I’ve heard incredible stories from survivors of storms, wildfires, and roof-ripping winds. At times, their accounts have included the challenges of accessing food and potable water.Disasters are unpredictable by nature, and it’s difficult to anticipate exactly what you’ll want or need to get by in the chaos and confusion that follows. But no matter what risks you face, food and water are the two crucial things you should plan to have on hand.Ultimately, help came for each of the survivors I spoke with — in the form of a government agency, a nonprofit organization, or, as is often the case, a neighbor. Just before a predicted disaster, the fear of not having access to basic necessities often leads to panic buying. But it’s usually not a great idea for everyone to empty the shelves of the local supermarket all at once.“If people really rapidly change their buying habits that’s going to create problems for the food system, because it can only adapt so much,” said Jaime Ahlberg, an associate professor with the department of philosophy at the University of Florida. In a 2020 article, she explained that “one person’s stockpiling can mean another person’s shortage.”At the same time, Ahlberg acknowledged the need to be prepared. The right approach involves maintaining supplies based on your household’s needs before disaster strikes. By doing this, you can help ease the strain on your community’s resources if there’s an eventual pre- or post-disaster shopping rush.And the items you keep in your pantry don’t have to be saved only for a worst-case scenario. Michelle Lloyd Call, the former manager of the Food Technology Research Center at Brigham Young University, said she views her reserves as insurance for all sorts of life disruptions. That could include prolonged power outages, but it also could be when someone is cutting back on expenses after experiencing a layoff or other financial insecurity.Building a deep pantry and emergency water supply isn’t something you do all at once. Instead, it’s a practice that evolves as you move, start a family, get a pet, or make other lifestyle changes. We’re here to help you get started, so you can skip the last-minute trip to the grocery store and focus on your other needs as the storm rolls in.