The late August storm that left, by some accounts, upwards of half a million people in the state without power and a trail of damage and debris in its wake is a reminder that being prepared for the unexpected is more than smart — it’s crucial.

During the storm, which came on the heels of a record dry season, winds hit up to 70 mph on Whidbey Island and toppled trees, ripped off roofs and left a sea of branches on wires and roads.

Standard advice is to have enough food, water and supplies to care for yourself and your family for 72 hours, but some residents in this state found themselves without power four days after the storm.

What will happen when an even more devastating natural disaster hits? Are we prepared if roads are blocked and people are stuck in their homes?

This isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Emergency responders are concerned about whether the island’s residents are fully prepared for a catastrophe. A major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest isn’t a matter of if, but when.

If Whidbey residents lose the bridge, for example, Whidbey’s residents may need to be self-reliant for far longer than a few days. Such concerns, combined with the August storm, remind us that the time is now to have an island-wide preparedness discussion.

The Puget Sound Energy Preparedness Fair is today, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the utility’s South Whidbey customer service office, 1794 Main Street in Freeland. The first 50 attendees will receive a free emergency kit.

September is Emergency Preparedness Month, and the Red Cross has an app, Emergency, that’s worth downloading; it provides the ABCs of how to get ready.

Experts agree that people must be prepared to take care of themselves and their families for, at minimum, 72 hours.

According to www.ready.gov, a basic emergency supply kit should be kept on hand that includes the following items:

— Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation;

— Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food; Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both;

— Flashlight and extra batteries;

— First aid kit;

— Whistle to signal for help;

— Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place;

— Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation;

— Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities;

— Manual can opener for food;

— Local maps; and

— Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger.

Start assembling your survival kit now, and join the discussion about how you to care and protect your home and family should the unexpected happen.