Storing Emergency Water in an Apartment or Small Home

Under the bed, behind the couch, in the closet: realistic spots for two weeks of water in tight spaces.

My daughter lives in a 600-square-foot apartment in Portland. Here's how we fit two weeks of water for two people (about 28 gallons) without it looking like a bunker.

Hiding spots that work

• Under the bed: flat 3.5-gallon stackable bricks slide under most frames.
• Closet floor: four 7-gallon cubes behind the hanging clothes.
• Behind the sofa: a row of cases with a throw blanket over them as a "console."
• Under the sink: cases of bottles, kept away from the cleaning products.

Weight check

Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon. Spread it out instead of putting 200 pounds on one shelf, and check your lease before using big barrels on upper floors.

Bonus: storm-day fill-up

Keep a bathtub bladder folded in a drawer. When a storm is coming, fill it plus every pitcher you own.

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