Aftermath of Katrina: How has it changed you?

[Michele 1]

No, not estoerically. That's another thread for another day.

I live in an area that is prone to earthquakes and fire. Where I live is also a tsunami area, as well as a flood innundation area (should one of the dams in the area break). I am not willing to wait for the government to come save me; that's my job. So I was thinking about how I can do that, and wondering if my existing emergency plans were good enough. They weren't, so I changed them.

Several things I've done are:
~Increased the amount of "minimum" gas always available in my vehicle.
~Increased the number of days' food, water, medications, and batteries I have available (for myself and my animals, as well as added some for family/neighbors).
~With my family, created a GOOD plan (Get Out of Dodge); a relay system of telephone numbers that are likely to work (out of state points) where one can call and leave messages for other family members.
~Checked on my father's preparedness, and increased his supplies.
~Packed up a GOOD bag and got it into the car; and another one in the house. Blankets, clothing (old, ratty stuff, but servicable), battery operated radio.
~A small strongbox with important papers stored inside, and a few precious photos, eaily carried.
~A kennel or travel box for all my cats.
~Maps. Both Thomas Guides for several counties surrounding me, and maps of my state and the western US (free from AAA).

So I was wondering; how have you changed/increased your emergency preparedness? Have you even thought about what you might need during a natural disaster in your area?

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Guest]

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Increased the amount of "minimum" gas always available in my vehicle

I'm hoping that you mean you fill the car sooner, and are not carrying a 5 gal can of gas in the trunk. That would be very dangerous.

I've water and canned food onhand, but nothing as well organized as you have. Good job.

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[Michele 1]

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I'm hoping that you mean you fill the car sooner, and are not carrying a 5 gal can of gas in the trunk. That would be very dangerous.

Yes...it would be. No, I meant that never let the gas tank get below a certain level, or, if it does, fill up before returning home for the evening.

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I've water and canned food onhand, but nothing as well organized as you have. Good job.

Thanks. And that's not the full list; just the changes I've made in the last few days. I've managed to be in some serious earthquakes, several of them near the epicenter (within 5 miles of both the '94 and the '72 quakes). I'm prepared because I've been without everything for a time, and that sort of embeds itself into your memory.

I was just thinking about the level of catastrophe, though. If an 8.5 hits (the SAF in my neighborhood is "capable" of that; but I suspect it could get bigger, or trigger smaller fault lines in the area, thus spreading the problem), it will be horrendously bad here in Los Angeles for quite some time. Not only will the damage be bad, there will be fires and looting and such. If the need comes to be alone (or with family) for a week or two, will I/we be able to make it? Yesterday, I wasn't sure. Today, I am.

It's looking at the aftermath of Katrina, the sort of peril some people are in...in an earthquake, there will be no forewarning at all. Just blammo, the world shakes and we're in rubble. The problem of survival will be much larger than what we see in Katrina, because there will be no "evacuation" prior to the event. Which means 10,000,000 people in need, stressed, and panicking.

Because of that, and because of my own personal beliefs, I'm not going to hope that my local government will be able to help; the police won't; fire won't. Neither will FEMA show for a time. All that's to say that if/when it comes, we are all on our own...and that's what I'm setting up for.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Guest]

>If the need comes to be alone (or with family) for a week or two, will I/we be able to make it? Yesterday, I wasn't sure. Today, I am.

Good. That must also feel good knowing that.

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.

[flyangel2 2]

When the year 2000 was approaching and people were all worried that some thing was going to happen, I had two young children to care for. I got what I call my survival kit together way back then.

One son has moved out, so I put together a little kit for him and tried to instill how important it is to be ready for any emergency.

Every month I get out the kit and go through it and make sure every thing is still in working order.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[NtheSeaOrSky 0]

Kudos for you guys for getting proactive.

I would like for you to consider a type of first aid kit. Doesnt have to be anything fancy, and sometimes you can find things to improvise bandages and such, but more often than not you will have a need for basic first aid supplies.

Life is not fair and there are no guarantees...

[flyangel2 2]

I have a great first aid kit. Small, compact, and just about everything you could think you would need. I just copied my backpacking first aid kit.

These are the bomb for keeping things light weight.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[Michele 1]

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I would like for you to consider a type of first aid kit.

Those are definitely part of what I've got. I only mentioned what I had increased...not the whole kits (you think I talk alot now...LOL!!). I've always got one handy in the car (I've been known to stop at accidents), and one in the GOOD bag at the house. So I'm set there. But thanks for the reminder!

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~