The Province of British Columbia is under another state of emergency because of catastrophic flooding being called an atmospheric river. We've been beaten badly since 2020 from lockdown to evacuation because of suspicious wildfires that burnt down Dr. Charles Hoffe's town, Lytton B.C. This most recent disaster has demolished highways and flooded our Fraser (Sumas) Valley, cutting off the port of Vancouver from the interior of the province.

News of a possible flood started circulating in the local news on Sunday night, and by Monday evening big box stores in the Okanagan like Walmart and Superstore were getting noticeably sparse despite pre-existing supply problems. On Tuesday smaller chain grocery stores like Safeway were getting picked over, especially the juice, milk, and produce. By Wednesday those items were almost completely gone, in addition to the toilet paper section and frozen foods, and next the pantry items started to go and there were gas shortages. Other B.C. towns up North weren't far behind.

History teaches us that there are other examples of supply chain breakdowns, such as war and natural disaster. The following 100 is a modified list from a survivor of the Bosnian War. These are things you want to stock in your home before an emergency in addition to at least a few weeks of food supply:

1. Generators: Solar is best. Gas has supply, storage, risk, noise, maintenance issues.
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets/showers
4. Seasoned Firewood. (wood takes at least 6 months to become dried)
5. Lamps, Oil, Wicks (First Choice: CLEAR oil. If scarce, ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey, sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking - Without it food burns/must be boiled)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers - Any size. Note - hard food grade plastic if for drinking water
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur)
16. Propane Cylinder Handle/Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
17. Printed survival info
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item,longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, ointments, medicines, etc.
20. Washboards, mop bucket with wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins and supplements
23. Grain mill/grinder (Non-electric)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges, honing oil
27. Aluminum Foil Regular & Heavy Duty (cooking and barter)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Plastic Bags - large, small, ziplock, garbage, etc (Impossible To Have Too Many)
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Heirloom food seeds (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/hangers
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Canned tuna in oil
36. Fire Extinguishers (or large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes, get furthest-out expiration dates)
39. Garlic, pepper, spices
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches (strike anywhere preferred) Boxed, wooden matches go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils/pens, solar calculators
44. Cooler/ice chest (good to keep items from rotting in summer or freezing in winter)
45. Workboots, belts, jeans & durable shirts
46. Flashlights, headlamps, torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, diaries & scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience in historic times)
48. Garbage cans (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Soap bars, Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned fruits, veggies, soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain NOT scented, 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies (jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles and tires/tubes/patches/pump/chains
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. Rodent and insect poison/traps
69. Baking supplies (vanilla, baking powder, etc)
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Handpumps & siphons (for water and for fuel)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullion/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/earmuffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix, jerky, dried fruit
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts
87. Cots & Inflatable mattresses
88. Gloves: Work/snow/gardening/etc
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts
91. Tea
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Plastic/rubber storage bins
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

10 additional survival strategies:

1. Stockpiling helps, but you never know how long trouble will last, so locate renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy/sauce - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat more edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches.
9. Have a little bit of cash hidden in your house in small denominations.
10. Have as much silver and gold for barter hidden in your house as you can stand holding because its 99% certain that is the ONLY money people will trade you goods for, no matter what.

Abbotsford, B.C. Highway exit