Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Looking at the different scenarios, a Category 3-5 hurricane is the most likely scenario and would have the most devastating effect on the island/state. Surface water would be contaminated with dissolved chemicals not removable by most filters. Most electrical and water distribution would be inoperative or likely completely destroyed. I would also expect the destruction of more than 50% of all homes and buildings and a death toll in the tens of thousands. As we have seen by the incompetence at the airport last week, the authorities have NO PLAN.
My original question regarded how to carry water in the case of emergency. After reading this thread I plan to have (2) 2 Liter bladders per person, plus two 7 gallon totes on a cart. It ain't perfect but at least it is something.
To your point about going to family first, how do you know there house can take the 120MPH winds of a large hurricane? Personally, I think anyone living in a singlewall construction home needs to plan complete evacuation in any hurricane scenario. I am leaning in favor of setting aside funds evacuate off island in the case of a large storm. Any evacuation scenario, of course, would require leaving prior to the event since our airports will all be destroyed by storm surge in most scenarios.
Good points and good discussion.
For my situation, a strong hurricane is also the mostly likely concern. Well, I'm thinking primarily an extended power outage due to strong hurricane. Where I live combined with locations of "contingency" family are all quite diverse. Yup, one is a single wall house, but location is "good" in that it's in a somewhat proven wind shelter area. Bring in a Cat 5 though and probably buh-bye.
Another is an "improved" home that is more robust, but getting there is tougher if walking. All not the best, but what we've got to work with.
Carrying water in case of emergency, I'd likely pack up as much as I can in a Camelbak and other similar pouch and try best to get to contingency location. I do think that my residence is one of the more robust compared to the others (concrete building, higher floor so less risk of windborne debris, etc), but still. . .
I hear ya on operational preparedness or lack thereof with our infrastructure. When seemingly small events can literally cripple an island is def not good.
Interesting thought of emergency get out of town funding. Would you envision going to the mainland and staying in hotels and stuff? Or trying to stay with relatives? Never thought about that. Though I do have relatives spread out across the mainland with enough property that they "could" help for a while.