Each year thousands of individuals find themselves suddenly homeless after fire, flood, or other disaster strikes in their town. While some people have alternative shelter options open to them in the form of second homes or the undamaged residents of local friends/family others are not so lucky. Even though some cities and counties provide disaster victims with public shelter these shelters are sometimes overcrowded or inadequately supplied. In some situations the designated local shelters are damaged during the disaster rendering them useless. When a family or individual are suddenly without shelter it is important that they attempt to create a temporary shelter instead of letting despair take hold.

There are many materials that can be used to build a temporary, or even permanent, home on short notice but after a disaster it can be difficult or impossible to obtain these supplies. Instead it is important that people use alternative materials to create the shelter that is needed and one alternative material that is often overlooked is tarp. Many people purchase tarp to use during home repairs or to cover wood piles or even truck beds. Tarp is affordable and is made to survive through the most extreme situations and scenarios.

This material can be used to construct a temporary shelter for a small group of people to keep them protected from the elements until a better living situation is available.

Tarp can be used to create a shelter by using sticks or poles to build a simple tent. It can also be draped over a vehicle to make a shelter that combines the interior of the vehicle and the space protected by the tarp. If a home is only partially damaged after a storm or other natural disaster tarp can be used to protect the area from wind and rain in place of a roof or walls allowing a family or individual to continue using the damaged part of the home until proper repairs can be made. Some people have even used tarp to cover broken windows and other very minor damage to their homes after a smaller storm.

Even if a home is not damaged by natural disaster tarp can still be used to help ensure survival. When affected areas loose the use of water or electricity for extended periods of time tarp can be used to provide additional insulation to a home keeping it warm or cool in place of heating and air conditioning. Hanging the tarp at windows either inside or outside the home can help regulate your homes temperature until the electricity returns to the home. Tarp can also be used to get water for bathing and boiling to help avoid exhausting bottled water supplies. Hanging water resistant tarps outside to catch rain water can help provide your household with an additional supply of water.

There are many uses for tarp during an emergency situation making it a valuable commodity. Tarp can be purchased at many hardware stores and other suppliers at very low prices. The next time you or your loved ones are shopping for emergency supplies always remember to invest in a good amount of tarp because it will prove useful during any natural disaster.