It’s a familiar sight.

The shelves of your local grocery store barren after meteorologists took to the air to warn of upcoming weather dangers.

Maybe you’ve seen a friend or family member buy every bottle or jug of water they can find, whether the weatherman is warning of a one-day storm or one that will last weeks. Maybe you’ve stood there in front of the shelves at your store wondering what amount is reasonable.

So exactly how much water do you need?

The standard practice is to store one gallon of water per person, per day, for three days, according to Ready.gov, a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies.

Clean drinking water following a disaster may not always be available as one’s regular water source could be cut off or compromised due to contamination. So, if there’s time to prepare there are several things to remember, according to Ready.gov:

• Children, nursing mothers and sick individuals may need more water.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.
• More water may be needed if the temperatures are high.
• Minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
• Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages instead of drinking water as they dehydrate a person, increasing the need for water. 
• Don’t forget to include pets in the water count.

Planning can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November and emergencies and natural disasters are possible year-round.

As long as you’re gathered around the holidays this season with friends and family, drop your new knowledge and see who all has a plan.

To learn more about how to prepare for disasters, click here.