How to Prepare for a Drought: A Family Survival Checklist

Drought does not arrive the way a storm does — with a warning, a defined timeline, and a clear end point. It settles in slowly, tightens its grip, and by the time most families notice it in their daily lives, the conditions driving it have been building for years. Over 50% of the United States is in drought right now. If you have not thought through what your household would do if water restrictions tightened significantly, this checklist is your starting point.

Step 1: Know Your Current Water Risk

Check drought.gov. The US Drought Monitor updates weekly and classifies drought severity by county from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought).

Contact your local water authority. Ask two questions: What is the source of our municipal supply? What contingency plans exist for extended drought?

If you are on a well: Ask a local well driller what the current water table is in your area, and whether your well depth is above or below the typical drought-affected zone.

Step 2: Build Your Emergency Water Supply

FEMA and the CDC recommend 1 gallon per person per day. A family of four needs 56 gallons for a 2-week supply. For drought — which may last months — aim for 30 days if space allows.

What to use: food-grade 5-gallon containers, WaterBOB bathtub bladder, or 55-gallon food-grade drums.

Label every container with the fill date. Rotate every 6 months. Understanding how long you can safely store water prevents the common mistake of building a supply and forgetting it until it is no longer safe.

Step 3: Set Up a Collection System

A single 60-gallon rain barrel attached to a downspout costs under $150 and can be set up in an afternoon. Rainwater harvesting is legal in all 50 states, though some states have collection limits. Atmospheric collection — drawing water from humidity in the air — is a secondary option for drier climates. See the full guide to collecting water without a well.

Step 4: Learn to Purify What You Collect

Collected water is not safe to drink without treatment. Two methods every household should know:

1. Boiling: 1 minute rolling boil at sea level (3 minutes above 5,000 feet). Kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
2. Gravity filtration: No electricity required. Set up once, works indefinitely.

The full breakdown of water purification methods that require no electricity covers ten options with trade-offs.

Step 5: Reduce Your Household Water Footprint

During drought restrictions, conservation is not optional. High-impact changes:

• Outdoor watering: switch to drip irrigation or a rain barrel supply
• Showers: 5 minutes maximum during restrictions; low-flow showerhead ($15)
• Toilet: check for leaks (a running toilet wastes 200 gallons per day)
• Laundry: full loads only, water-saving cycle
• Dishes: dishwasher only when full

The average household uses 80–100 gallons per person per day. During drought, target 50 gallons or less.

Step 6: Plan for Longer Drought

The US megadrought has been ongoing for over 22 years. Planning as if a drought will resolve in a few weeks is the most common mistake in drought preparedness. Build toward continuous production: a rainwater system sized for your local rainfall, a second collection method that functions when rain fails, and a purification system that does not depend on electricity. The complete guide to water independence at home covers this transition.

The Checklist

This week:

• ☐ Check drought.gov for your county's classification
• ☐ Store 56+ gallons for a family of four (2-week minimum)
• ☐ Label all stored water with fill date
• ☐ Test your purification method — boil or gravity filter

This month:

• ☐ Install a rain barrel or tank
• ☐ Check state rainwater collection rules
• ☐ Fix any running toilets or leaky faucets
• ☐ Identify your utility's water source and contingency plan

This quarter:

• ☐ Size your collection system for 30-day supply potential
• ☐ Add a second collection or purification method
• ☐ Build a 30-day stored supply if space allows