Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the
field; and after that build your house.

What is a 72-hour Lutheran? It is a person who happens to be Lutheran and has
72 hours of supplies in their home so that they are able to take care of their
own basic needs for 72 hours. Why this amount of time? If we here in the Gulf
Coast are hit by a hurricane, it takes a majority of governmental, state and
private entities to respond to a disaster. The goal in our synod is to have a
majority of our people prepared at the basic level by creating 72-hour Lutherans
which in turn leads naturally to the creation of 72-hour congregations who are
able to take care of their own needs so that they will be available to respond
to the needs of others. Below you will see a modified list from the NOAA.GOV
website. A fuller list can be found at the http://tinyurl.com/fullhlist, but if
you just want the bare minimum to become a 72-hour Lutheran use the following:

Basic 72-Hour Lutheran List

1. Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s
vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind. Locate a safe room or the
safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances,
the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.
2. If necessary, determine an escape route from your home and designate places
to meet. (Note: these should be measured in tens of miles, rather than hundreds
of miles.) Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so all your family
members have a single point of contact.
3. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
4. Call the church and make sure that they have all your information.

5. Stock up on non-perishable emergency supplies and create a disaster supply
kit.
· Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
· Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
o Non-perishable packaged or canned food
o Juices
o Snack foods
o Foods for infants or the elderly
· Cooking tools
o Non-electric can opener
o Fuel
o Paper plates / plastic utensils
· First aidkit
o Medicines
o Prescription drugs
· Special Items – for babies and the elderly
· Toiletries
o Hygiene items
o Moisture wipes
· Flashlight / Batteries
· Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
· Telephones
o Fully charged cell phone with extra battery
o A traditional (not cordless) telephone set
· Cash (with some small bills) (credit cards, banks and ATMs may not be
available for extended periods)
· Extra keys
· Tools – keep a set with you during the storm
· Vehicle fuel tanks –kept filled
· Pet care items
o Proper identification
o Immunization records
o Medications
o Ample supply of food and water