I sit here and wonder,

How in the world this could be, my-oh-my

I never thought, oh, I never thought you’d ever

leave me

But now that you left me

Good Lord, good Lord, how I cried out

You don’t miss your water

You don’t miss your water ‘til your well runs dry

— William Bell, “You Don’t Miss Your Water”

The words of soul singer William Bell’s 1972 debut single are about a lost lover taken for granted, but they hit a little different in a place called River City this week. Living without running water, as many of us discovered, is a different kind of living. Fortunately, it appears our dry days are slowly coming to an end, as city workers continue to work cold nights and days to fix the problem. They deserve our gratitude and recognition.

We’re hopeful the residents of Richmond continue to stand strong and help one another through this crisis. Aside from some pushing and jostling for position in the grocery store aisle, we haven’t heard any reports of anyone getting hurt over a jug of Poland Spring or Aquafina. We have heard of citizens looking out for those who can’t get their own water, such as the animals at the SPCA. After putting out a call for help, the organization received cases and containers of water from concerned citizens.

It wasn’t long ago that a challenging time caught us off guard as we looked to government officials for answers, many of which weren’t the most helpful. One of the crucial lessons learned from the pandemic is to stay prepared. The American Red Cross suggests keeping a survival kit on hand for unexpected situations.

“Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster,” their website reads. 

If you don’t already have a survival kit, here’s what you need. At a minimum, make sure you have the basic supplies listed below, as suggested by the Red Cross:

Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

Flashlight Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

Multipurpose tool

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

Emergency blanket

Map(s) of the area

After you gather those basic supplies for your kit, add unique items each member of your family may need, such as:

Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)

Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

Games and activities for children

Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

Two-way radio

Extra set of car keys and house keys

Manual can opener

Also consider adding these things to your kit:

Whistle

N95 or surgical masks

Matches

Rain gear

Towels

Work gloves

Tools/supplies for securing your home

Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes

Plastic sheeting

Duct tape

Scissors

Household liquid bleach

Entertainment items

Blankets or sleeping bags

That might seem like a lot, but it’s worth the effort. There are places that sell survival kits with many of these items included, so you don’t have to hunt them down.

Let this be a lesson in taking nothing for granted — whether it’s the water we drink, the people we rely on, or the infrastructure that holds our city together. Stay prepared, stay connected and stay thankful for the things often taken for granted.