Are YOU prepared for a disaster?

[Jennasis]

This conversation comes up after every disaster, but the bottom line is that many people simply were not prepared.

So, are you RIGHT NOW prepared for ride out a disaster? Do you have two weeks worth of potable water, non-perishable food, fuel, batteries, meds etc? Do you have an emergency kit with first aid supplies, flashlights, candles and matches? Do you have a "evacuation bag" with extra clothes and water and stuff in case you have to make a run for it?

If the answer is NO...why not? Because if the storm has taught me anything, it's YOU NEVER KNOW. We're ready to ride out or run in the event of any disaster.

Lastly...when the order comes down for you to evacuate, would you listen to the order and go, or would you ignore it?

 

[onelilspark]

We don't...but we're also moving...so I guess technically everything is packed. But by the start of hurricane season next year we're planning on having everything prepared.

And yes, we would evacuate. My parents live in-land and even if we weren't supposed to evacuate, if it were a 3 or higher, we would anyway. My first priority is keeping us safe, everything else is just stuff. It would be heartbreaking to lose all the stuff, but it can all be replaced.

We'd probably ride out a 1 or 2, but we're moving into a house that was just built, so it's up to the latest hurricane standards.

ETA: We're maybe 5 miles from the coast in a straight line.

 

[Southernmiss]

This conversation comes up after every disaster, but the bottom line is that many people simply were not prepared.

So, are you RIGHT NOW prepared for ride out a disaster? Do you have two weeks worth of potable water, non-perishable food, fuel, batteries, meds etc? Do you have an emergency kit with first aid supplies, flashlights, candles and matches? Do you have a "evacuation bag" with extra clothes and water and stuff in case you have to make a run for it?

If the answer is NO...why not? Because if the storm has taught me anything, it's YOU NEVER KNOW. We're ready to ride out or run in the event of any disaster.

Lastly...when the order comes down for you to evacuate, would you listen to the order and go, or would you ignore it?

Prepared for Hurricane Isaac in August and still prepared. Just took some of the water out of the freezer yesterday.

Could easily pull our stuff together to evac, but we are on high ground and we pay attention to the category of the storm and the individual characteristics of each storm.

 

[eisforpants]

We live in tornado country so we don't really understand how lives can be lost when you have at least a week to prepare. We get 5 minutes tops!

That being said, yes we are prepared. We have a 55 gallon drum of water, enough food for at least 3 months, propane canisters, multiple ways to cook food, portable heat, and the ever important perculator for our coffee! We also have a bug out bag that we can pick up and go in 30 seconds if need be.

 

[wiigirl]

I am sort of prepared....my husband is really into it.

we have water, food, first aid and stuff like that stored in the basement.

 

[minkydog]

We don't need.to.worry about hurricane although we do.get the.occasional tropical storm. Our bigger issue is ice storms. Right now I have all the food, meds, and propane I'd need for.two weeks. Got get.my water together. Would I evacuate? Absolutely. No hesitation.. DJ * I both have medical issues that reqiirebisbto have.electricity to run equipment. We could stay put for a couple days, but we'd have to go.to go to a.red cross shelter if it.was longer than that. Fprtinatley, we have never had power loss for more than a few hours.

 

[Darcy03231]

Yes, we are.

After losing power several times in the last couple of years for about a week (I live in the Northeast), we've learned to be prepared.

We have a generator and keep gas on hand. When it was announced that the storm was coming we bought extra ahead of time. We also filled up all the cars prior to the storm hitting.

I always have plenty of non-perishables on hand, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles and matches. We have a gas grill and keep two tanks so one is always full. We're on city water/sewer so we don't lose that when the power goes out, but I usually have at least a couple of cases of water on hand, and buy extra when a storm is on its way. We also have a portable kerosene heater and keep kerosene on hand too.

I have plenty of over the counter medications on hand, along with bandages, etc. (kids in sports). I re-filled all prescription medication before the storm came.

If I were told to evacuate I would. No questions, no hesitation.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I have bottled water in the 5 gal containers. I co-own a battery company so I definitely have batteries, flashlights and lanterns here. I have a generator. I always have plenty of food in the house. The only thing we did to prepare for this storm other than what is already here is to gas up. No "bug out" bag but I do keep all important documents all together in a big envelope in the safe that we can grab and go.

 

[Hannathy]

We live in tornado country so we don't really understand how lives can be lost when you have at least a week to prepare. We get 5 minutes tops!

I live in tornado country also and yes it does boggle the mind that they can't be prepared with all the notice they have. And I'm not talking the poor souls who have had their houses destroyed.

When the kids were little I always kept diapers, wipes, baby food or formula, snacks, blankets, clothes, an extra potty chair, flashlights, radio, leash for the dog, water in the basement.

Now if we are getting warning for a massive snow storm the first thing i check is the toilet paper!!! We always have enough food for at least 2 weeks but if I'm stuck in the house for a couple days I want to have toilet paper.

 

[LisaR]

Yes we are! I truly feel for people who are devastated by these storms, but I will never understand those that aren't prepared when there is a week of warnings.

 

[dislal]

I think my family would be ok for a week or probably more........we have a fire place with a ton of wood I always keep my pantry well stocked (enough food for a couple weeks) we can cook soups pasta and things on the fire. We do have a well and septic, but we have a stream/spring at the bottom of our driveway, and we have a swimming pool so I can flush the toilet with that water. Overall I think we would be fine for awhile.

 

[punkin]

I am sort of prepared....We could do quite well for up to a week. After that, I don't think so. There is just too many modern conveniences that we rely on (like flushing toilets). Yes, we could manually flush for a while, but if the sewer treatment plan is not up for more than 3 days or so...we would all be swimming in waste (Yuk!).

 

[Christopher Robin]

We're ready.

And I try at least once a year to practice a bug out with the family.
I give them 15 minutes to be ready, and we go and sleep in our SUVs in the woods for the night.

 

[MerMom60_94]

Gee Jennasis, I was going to say we are well prepared but I don't have clothes packed or anything. My DH is a firefighter so he takes these situations very seriously, as do I. Not only do we have a generator but he has done some sort of rigging that it will run lights in every room, alternately run the refrigerator or the heat (not both at the same time), and run the t.v. We always buy propane and gas up our cars when a storm is coming and I always buy a case of water and stock up on food. And, yes, we would evacuate in a heartbeat if we were told to. DH works for a town that is one town over from a seaside community. He has worked enough storms where he has had to go to that town and help rescue people and watch houses burn or float away that he knows what can happen in a flash. Even if a hurricane seems to be moving in another direction or slowing down it can change course and pick back up. Why chance it? Why put somebody else's life in danger trying to rescue me because I didn't listen?

 

[SLCborn]

YES! I have a 72 hr kit for all 4 of us plus a dog kit for our pooch. I have enough food storage/water for at least 3 months. I have a gas stove, 2 water heaters and a camp stove with 4 propane tanks. I am in the process of buying a solar generator that is capable of running my fridge, charging my cell,laptop,radio or run anything necessary for a short amt of time.

Living in the unpredictable land of earthquakes I am absolutely ready for a disaster especially since we will get NO warning.

I have at least $800.00 in cash in my safe along with all important documents needed in case we have to run. I have gas cans and I'm hoping that none of our cars will have less than a 1/2 tank at any given time just in case we need to siphon to get out.

 

[ilovejack02]

We are always ready ... but I live in South Louisiana , this is part of our lives. Be prepared at all times. We stay fully stocked most of the year and come May I quit buying meat in bulk and we clean out freezers , never keep a fully stocked freezer during hurricane season , only enough to cook on grill for a few days if storm arises . When A storm looks like it is coming towards gulf, maybe not even entered it yet, we stock up on at least a a cpl hundred gallons of gas for generator . Always have batteries , flashlights , water , canned goods . If we don't need gas as in case of Issac in September we just use it up for lawn mowers and cars.

If we are told to evacuate, we will leave in a heart beat , we are aren't in danger of storm surge as we are at least an hour from coast , but it can still get very bad here . I will pack and run if told to. I have my packing list in cabinet , important things to take, reminder of photo albums, vet records , meds etc.

 

[Gigi22]

to the PP who mentioned having cash on hand.

You don't know what effect a disaster will have on the electrical supply in your area. Remember that massive power outage in the northeast a few years ago? You should not count on being able to use an ATM (or a brick and mortar bank) for at least a week, and have enough cash on hand to purchase anything you might need for that time. A while back I read an article advising that people an emergency fund of $1000 in cash. Seems so counterintuitive to our otherwise high-tech lifestyle.

 

[Christopher Robin]

to the PP who mentioned having cash on hand.

You don't know what effect a disaster will have on the electrical supply in your area. Remember that massive power outage in the northeast a few years ago? You should not count on being able to use an ATM (or a brick and mortar bank) for at least a week, and have enough cash on hand to purchase anything you might need for that time. A while back I read an article advising that people an emergency fund of $1000 in cash. Seems so counterintuitive to our otherwise high-tech lifestyle.

Also carry a roll or two of Quarters. If you bug out, to or through an area with electricity, roadside vending machines, ie outside gas stations or stores that may be closed, may be the only option for grabbing some additional food or drink.

 

[kacaju]

No, I can say I am not prepared as I thought i needed to be.

My power just came back on after 5 days with no power. I have lived in Central Jersey my whole 45 years of life and this is the first time I was without power for more then 24 hours.
My freezer downstairs was full of mostly easy meals...frozen pizza's, frozen soups stuff like that...things for me to make easy dinners when we are going crazy with life. I had to throw them all away.. I do have water, canned foods and other easy things to eat without power..My fridge...well...lets just say it really needed a good cleaning anyway..
I had money..I didn't realize I could still flush my toilet without power and I still had hot water. I also didn't realize I could still use my gas cook top. I powered my cell phone in the car all week. My biggest concern which I was not prepared for at all is mmy daughters lizards and snake...they had to go to my brother who had power...this cold is not good for them.
We had batteries...although I will stock up on more..and I need more flashlights. Really could use a lantern in each level of my house. (split level)
GAS..I did fill up both cars before the storm...but have never seen the lines for waiting for gas like I did these past few days!

 

[Jennasis]

Ah, people bring up good points! Other things to consider when having your emergency plan:

PETS...have enough food, water, meds etc for them as well as a LEASH handy and a plan of where you will go that will allow for them. If you have horses (like I do), there are additional concerns. Best option is to trailer them out of the area well in advance of an approaching storm. If you can't, put their halter on with an ID tag attached and spray paint your phone number on their side with bright orange cow paint, then turn them out in the pasture/or button them up in thje barn and hope for the best.

RADIO/TV...my sister was complaining about not being able to follow the news after the storm because she lost power. GO BUY A RADIO. They even have those hand crank emergency weather radios if you don't have batteries.

CELL PHONES...make sure your phone is fully charged and that you have BOTH a car charger and a wall charger in your evac bag. You can charge even withou house power by plugging in to your car and if you have to evac, you can charge at the hotel/shelter etc with the wall unit.

CASH...atms may be out of power along with banks etc. Have cash on hand to ride out the disaster with, along with your credit cards.

TOOLS...have some basic tools easily accessible for digging out of the aftermath. A hammer, a saw, a crow bar etc.