Having a fuel tank during an emergency can save lives in more than one way. The larger your need for fuel during emergencies, the greater the benefits these tanks offer. The key is in understanding that different types of emergencies all bring a distinct need for fuel. Fast and easy access to the right kind can be critical for the safety of businesses, families, and communities. Here’s what you need to know about fuel storage and how fuel tanks can help you during an emergency.
Mass Evacuations
Mass evacuations are becoming increasingly common. From hurricane evacuations, large chemical spills, massive wildfires, and other natural disasters, it can become necessary to pick and leave your home quickly when disaster strikes.
The unfortunate reality, though, is that we live in an on-demand society. Stores, including gas stations, have limited storage for things like fuels and other emergency supplies. A large onslaught of individuals fueling up at once to leave town can quickly empty their tanks, leaving people without the ability to get out of town and drive a safe distance away.
If you have fuel tanks that allow you to store it on your property, that gives you the means to refuel your vehicles so your family can leave quickly and not get caught without the necessary fuel to flee.
If your tanks are adequately sized, you can also provide fuel for family and a few close friends to ensure their safe escape as well.
Managing Fuel Shortages
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021, fuel shortages hampered relief efforts. Not only did it limit the ability to get supplies and assistance to the locations where it was needed, it also forced those relying on gas generators due to long-term power outages (some extending beyond three weeks) to shift priorities and ration fuel to account for the shortages.
According to CNN, nearly two-thirds of gas stations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge were completely without fuel and 36 percent of the gas stations throughout the state were without fuel. That doesn’t even include stations in Mississippi that were out of fuel during the same time.
If you have filled fuel tanks on your property, you can keep your family safe, fuel your transportation, and fuel the tools you need to clean up downed trees and other damage to your home and property. Without access to fuel, you could find yourself in dire straits, especially if you or someone in your family requires electricity to maintain lifesaving equipment.
Power Generators for Your Home or Business
During prolonged power outages there are many risks to consider. It’s not just the heat of summer that is cause for concern. Power outages in winter can be equally devastating, as the state of Texas learned in February of 2021.
This event was complex and complicated by many contributing factors that included record low temperatures, widespread power outages, and impassable roads. Many who had generators were unable to get additional fuel to power them. That means that many went without heat and essential provisions. If you have fuel tanks on your property that allow you to store additional fuel beyond the necessities. During a power outage, it means you have the fuel necessary to run all your equipment for brief outages.
It also means you can heat or cool your home, keep refrigerators and freezers running, keep mobile phones and devices charged, and even operate essential medical equipment. If you require life-saving medical equipment to live, you can’t afford to be without extra gas storage – especially if you are at risk of long-term power outages.
Fuel Gas Powered Tools and Equipment
In certain rural areas, fuel tanks become even more essential. Large storms can cause widespread damage to property. It can be even worse in areas with many trees or large trees. Whether it is an ice storm that brings down trees due to the weight of the ice or windstorms that topple these towering giants, gas-powered tools are often necessary to clear driveways, roads, and more for passage.
If you’re caught on the wrong side of the gas station, your fuel tanks can provide the fuel you need to power these tools so you can clear the roads to get where you need to go. It also means you can fuel your gas-powered tools and equipment to help friends and family members who are stuck due to storms, trees, and other damage.
How Much Fuel Do You Need to Store?
Depending on your goals, your fuel storage needs will vary. If you need to fuel medical equipment, for instance, you may need to store more than someone who only needs occasional fuel to manage a generator for the freezer and refrigerator. Most people only need enough fuel to fill the tanks in one or more vehicles, a few gas-powered tools, and several days’ worth of fuel to power a generator.
As a general rule, you want to store enough gas to do the following:
- Power your generator for 30 days.
- Fill up your largest gas tank if you need to evacuate.
- Power medical equipment.
- Help family and close friends fuel their vehicles.
- Fuel gas-powered tools and equipment.
It’s also important to remember that fuel won’t store forever. It is a perishable commodity. That means you need to lose the fuel you store and replenish it over time. The general rule of thumb is to never store gas for six months. On the other hand, organic-based Ethanol can lose its combustibility in just one to three months due to oxidation and evaporation. You can use additives to make your fuel last longer, but even so, six months is a good maximum. You can use your gas to fuel vehicles throughout the year and then replenish your supply as soon as you run out. That’s a great way to budget your efforts to keep additional fuel on hand.
Before you buy a fuel tank for your storage needs, you should call your local fire department to enquire about local ordinances and requirements for fuel storage. For instance, some areas have rules about how much fuel you can store and even how you can safely and legally store them.
We have a wide range of fuel storage tanks to meet the varying needs of homes, businesses, and individuals seeking to store fuel for disaster preparation and management. Whether you’re looking for mobile or transportable fuel tanks, stationary tanks, or other emergency fuel storage and supply needs, our team has you covered. Contact us today to learn more about the products we offer and to find a tank to meet your unique fuel storage needs.
