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How many days

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United States

'Several days'

No number given

“Several”

days, with no number

Read thisReady Kids still says at least three days, and the 2020 'Are You Ready?' guide mentions 3, 7 or 14 days of water. The FORTRESS programme announced on 30 September 2026 is about military bases. What we could read of it gives households no figure, though the memo itself would not open for us.

FEMA's Ready campaign tells households to have supplies for 'several days' and gives no number. It said at least 72 hours until 2020. Hawaii, Oregon and Washington ask for two weeks.

“Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days.”
Read at the source ↗

The figure over time

03710142004200820122016202020242004: 3–14 daysSep 2020: no number
Days over time, from the first date we can document. Yellow marks a range.

Every dated step

  1. 19 Oct 2026

    Restated

    FEMA Region 9 urges households to prepare a go-bag ahead of winter storms and gives no number of days.

    FEMA Region 9 ↗Official

  2. 2 Sep 2026

    Restated

    The President's message for National Preparedness Month asks Americans to maintain an emergency kit with essential supplies. It gives no number of days.

    The White House ↗Official

  3. 1 Sep 2026

    Restated

    FEMA opens National Preparedness Month 2026, 'Americans Stand Ready'. It gives no number of days and points to the kit page.

    FEMA ↗Official

  4. 9 Mar 2022

    Reworded

    By this date the kit page's food line also says 'several-day', and the number has gone from the page. First seen in an archived copy.

    FEMA Ready, Web Archive copy ↗Official

  5. 13 May 2021

    Reworded

    By this date the kit page's water line also says 'several days'. The food line still says three days. First seen in an archived copy.

    FEMA Ready, Web Archive copy ↗Official

  6. Jan 2021

    Softened

    FEMA's printed supply list is reworded to 'several days', removing the number.

    FEMA Ready ↗Official

  7. 14 Sep 2020

    Softened

    By this date Ready.gov's kit page opens with 'several days', while its water and food lines still say three days. First seen in an archived copy.

    FEMA Ready, Web Archive copy ↗Official

  8. Sep 2020

    Reworded3 → 3, 7 or 14 (water)

    A new 'Are You Ready?' edition drops the single kit minimum and says you may wish to keep 3, 7 or even 14 days of water.

    FEMA ↗Official

  9. 23 Jul 2020

    Restated14Hawaii, not national

    Hawaii's emergency agency reminds residents to keep a minimum of 14 days of food, water and other supplies. State level.

    Hawaii Emergency Management Agency ↗Official

  10. 27 Jun 2020

    Restated3

    Ready.gov's kit page still says supplies to last at least 72 hours, in an archived copy of this date.

    FEMA Ready, Web Archive copy ↗Official

  11. 19 Oct 2018

    Raised3 → 14Oregon, Washington, not national

    Public radio reports advice was raised 'a couple of years ago' from 72 hours to two weeks. State level, and the exact date is not given.

    Northwest News Network ↗PressWeak baseline

  12. 16 Aug 2018

    Restated3 → 3–14

    A FEMA hurricane release from Austin says a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home, for water and for food.

    FEMA ↗Official

  13. 6 Jun 2017

    Raised7 → 14Hawaii, not national

    Hawaii's emergency agency raises its recommendation from 7 to 14 days. State level, not federal.

    Maui Now ↗Press

  14. 2004

    First seen3

    'Are You Ready?' says at least three days, and to consider supplies for up to two weeks at home.

    FEMA ↗Official