Apartment Survival: Preparing for Disasters in Tight Spaces
- miamiarnis
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Today, let’s dive into apartment preparedness—a subject that often flies under the radar. If you live in a condo, rental, or any space that isn’t a sprawling homestead, you can still be ready for emergencies.
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Andrew
After Hurricane Andrew, my family faced some real challenges—especially with fuel and water. Back then, cooking was mostly done on a barbecue with supplies my mom had stashed away. It worked in a pinch but was far from efficient. Now, the approach is all about standardizing the fuel source to make life a bit easier when things get tough.
Fuel Efficiency: Propane is King
These days, propane is the go-to. Integrating propane stoves—like those used for car camping—has made cooking far more efficient. The beauty of it all? Everything runs on the same fuel. And if you’re lucky enough to have a natural gas hookup, you can power everything from your stove to your water heater, making it a cost-effective solution even when disaster isn’t on the horizon. These days I also use a dual fuel propane/gasoline generator in addition to a so-called solar generator. For more about my thoughts on generators check out this article HERE.
Water: Always Be Prepared
Water is the non-negotiable cornerstone of any survival plan. In our area, even when the power was out for over a month after Andrew, our water pressure never faltered. Still, extra caution is key. Keeping a couple of weeks’ worth of stored water is a must, but I also installed a reverse osmosis water filter under the sink. This system is a game-changer—it delivers several gallons of clean, purified water on demand, ensuring a safe supply when it’s needed most.
Creative Backup Solutions
Living in an apartment means space is at a premium, so creativity with backup water sources is crucial. Consider these options:
Water Heater Storage: Your water heater can double as a hidden reservoir if maintained properly.
Portable Filtration Systems: Keeping a couple of gravity-fed, base camp filters on hand can handle larger volumes of water if needed. See our favorite one by clicking HERE.
Local Water Sources: If you’re near canals, lakes, or retention ponds, knowing how to purify that water could be a lifesaver.
The key is to build layers of redundancy—don’t rely on just one method for your water needs.
Cooking Smarter with Limited Resources
When every bit of fuel counts, cooking efficiency becomes critical. One tip that really stands out is using a pressure cooker. It cooks meals faster, conserves fuel, and locks in nutrients—making it an essential tool when resources are tight.
Wrapping It Up
Apartment prepping isn’t about having the biggest stockpile—it’s about having the right tools and strategies for your situation. By standardizing on propane, investing in a reliable reverse osmosis filter, and exploring creative backup water solutions, you can build a robust emergency plan that fits your lifestyle.
This is just the beginning. Drop your questions, thoughts, or concerns in the comments, and stay tuned for more tips and insights on apartment survival.
For more info on this subject check out this video HERE.
Stay prepared. Stay sharp. Survival is a mindset.
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