One of the reasons we urge our readers to be prepared when disaster strikes is that local governments and emergency responders will not be able to provide support for massive amounts of people needing food, water and medical supplies. This is a threat that should not be underestimated, as evidenced by US Red Cross running out of medical supplies in Haiti:

A spokesman for the American Red Cross says the aid organization has run out of medical supplies in Haiti.

Red Cross spokesman Eric Porterfield said Wednesday that the small amount of medical equipment and medical supplies that were available in Haiti has been distributed.

The Red Cross is sending more medical supplies to Haiti, but Porterfield says he does not know when they will arrive.

It took the government three days to get water to the Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina and that event was forecasted days ahead of time.

At the bare minimum have enough food, water and basic medical supplies to provide for your family for at least seven days. We’d recommend also considering holding some charity reserves to provide to friends and family. A gallon of water goes a long way in a crisis.