[jyl]

We kept emergency water in CA, about 15 gallons. Didn't purify it, but kept a water filter (ordinary backpacking filter) with the stored water. Changed the water every few months. Will do so in OR too, I guess.

Why only 15 gallons? I figure in an emergency situation (in CA I was thinking earthquake, of course), we'd need to be be self sufficient for two weeks. And we sure wouldn't be washing clothes, taking showers, or flushing toilets - just drinking and cooking. I figured a quart per day per person would be barely enough, x four people. After all, you have the water heater, toilet tanks, etc too. I guess 30 gals would be better. We use 5 gal plastic containers meant for water storage.

You might consider storing things that will be vitally needed by your neighbors too. If you neighbor is a diabetic, store some insulin. If they have a newborn, store some baby formula. Etc. When the emergency comes, you can offer to trade these things for their cars, furniture, houses, life savings, or daughters. Hey, just a thought. :-)