Introduction

At some time in our lives, many of us will face an emergency. Most will involve personal illness or injury, but severe weather, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and heat waves, is a very common threat.

Severe weather and its after effects, such as flooding, results in numerous deaths and injuries every year, together with major property damage and loss.

But we are not entirely powerless in the face of these disasters - a little time and effort now will significantly reduce the risks of death, injury and property damage. It will also help you recover much faster.

Planning for emergencies is complex subject, too big for a single article.

Part 1 covers identification of the threats to you and your family, how to make sure your safety is protected, and making sure everyone knows what to do, even if you are separated.

The second part considers those precious few hours before the the weather becomes really threatening. Preparation is crucial to make sure your family is safe, and your home and belongings are as secure as possible.

Advance Planning - It’s A Drag But It Pays Off

One of the hardest things about preparing for emergencies is finding the time.

But if you live in North America, your weather is arguably the wildest on the planet. Your chances of being threatened by severe weather are very real.

So at some stage (soon!) why not set aside an hour or so to do a little groundwork and prepare for when things get nasty.

Involve your family - the more heads the better, and it is possible that one of you may be incapacitated in a serious emergency.

Four big questions need to be answered before you can regard yourself as reasonably well prepared.

1. What are the threats, and how can you minimize them?  
2. If you have to leave in a hurry, where will you go and how will you get there?  
3. How will the family get together or keep in contact if they are scattered between hone, work and school?  
4. What can you do now to help you handle the emergency competently, and then return to normal life quickly?

What Are The Biggest Risks?

This sounds pretty easy, because you know where you live, and what sort of weather to expect as the seasons change.

But when you get down to it, severe weather is often just normal weather become stronger, or bigger, or longer lasting.

When considering your home, a great shortcut is to contact your local emergency management office or the Red Cross to see what information they have on your area. You should be able to find FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) hazard maps and other relevant material to help with your planning.

It’s also worth thinking about other places you regularly visit - the beach, the lake, relatives - and even where you go on vacation.

Shelter and Evacuation

Most severe weather emergencies arrive without much warning. You may need to leave your home and move to a safer area.

Early warning and sound planning will reduce the stress of any emergency, and the first step is to be well informed.

And there is no better way than to use the Weather Radio Service provided by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the EAS (Emergency Alert Service).

Advisories of threats and hazards are broadcast over dedicated radio frequencies (to avoid interference from commercial broadcasts) and can be received on specially modified weather radios.

More information on the Weather Radio Service and equipment can be found at http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com/weather-radio.html

Evacuations can be a matter of choice or they may be mandatory. Becoming familiar with exit routes will reduce much of the stress of having to move out fast.

In some cases, such as tornadoes, you may need to use a nearby shelter. Again prior knowledge of its location and easiest access will be invaluable.

Communication Between Family Members

Emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times. Your family may be scattered between home, work and school when the weather becomes threatening, and you may remain separated for some time until things return to normal.

Work out in advance what procedures are likely to be followed - does the school have an emergency plan and shelter? How about the work place? It will help if each family member knows what to do, and what others will be doing and where they are likely to be during an emergency.

Prepare wallet sized summaries of locations and phone numbers for each family member, while cell phones should help you to keep in touch.

Long Term Plans

So far everything I’ve suggested assumes that you will, some day, need to act fast to protect yourself against a developing emergency.

This section covers preparations which should benefit you regardless of whether an emergency arises.

These include

  

 

• Checking your house and property insurance. Get the best you can afford, and remember that even if you live on a floodplain you can still get flood insurance. At the same time, make an inventory of your possessions.  
• Arrange secure storage of small valuable items and documents, preferably away from your house. Include copies of credit and ID cards.  
• Learn first aid and how to administer CPR.  
• Make sure you know how to operate a fire extinguisher  
• And consider joining one of the volunteer emergency organizations - the better you understand what may happen, the easier it will be to handle it if and when it does  
• Make advance arrangements for your pets - possibly a pet carrier for small animals, and safe accommodation for larger animals.

OK. Now you’re prepared for the worst, and you have significantly reduced the effects a major emergency will have on you. Part 2 of this article reviews what to do as the weather becomes threatening.

Report after report comes in about how many people couldn’t or didn’t escape the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. More reports come in about the disorganized relief effort, the communications problems they’re having and the difficulty in getting survivors to safety even when they are reachable by rescue personnel.

Hopefully, few of us will ever be caught in such a widespread and devastating disaster as Hurricane Katrina. But should a natural or man-made disaster threaten your family or force an evacuation, having a fully-stocked and easily-reached emergency “bug-out” bag could help save your life during the first stages, and help make rescue, recovery and a return to normalcy easier and more successful.

A bug-out bag is basically a duffle bag or other easy to carry luggage piece stocked with the following items:

• Photocopies of important documents such as birth certificates, drivers’ licenses and so on for the entire family. Note: keep the originals in a safe deposit box or other safe place – non-notarized photocopies cannot generally be used for official actions like getting a drivers license, but are more than fine for temporary ID in emergency situations. And don’t forget insurance papers and other items you might need to begin rebuilding.  
• A small sum of cash ($20-50) for immediate emergency use.  
• A temporary supply of prescription drugs in their originally-labeled containers, regularly rotated for freshness. This is easily done by buying one refill ahead. As you finish your current package or bottle, take the next one out of the bag and replace with a newly purchased refill.  
• A supply of meal replacement and energy bars. Look for items that are designed more for calorie and nutrient density, such as protein bars and hikers’ meal bars, rather than those sold as snack products or candy bar substitutes. You can also include dried foods or hiking meals and other lightweight, easy to prepare and eat items such as nuts, small candies and oatmeal packs.  
• A water purification kit or hiker’s filter system. Bottled water is bulky, heavy and goes stale quickly. Dirty water, while distasteful, can often be easily found, roughly filtered through cloth to remove large particulate matter and then sterilized for safe drinking. In a worst-case scenario, boiling dirty water for 15 minutes will serve until alternatives can be found.  
• A pre-paid phone card and a list of relatives, friends and emergency numbers. Check for expiration date and rotate out or renew as needed.  
• A non-battery-dependent, rechargeable flashlight, radio and cell phone charger, if you have a phone (alternatives include solar, squeeze-charge or kinetically charged options). Even when phone service was available, many Katrina survivors could not call out to get help or update relatives because their phones were dead and there was no power. Keep in mind also that even when phone service is spotty, small text messages can sometime get through.  
• A multi-tool (the kind with blades, pliers, screwdrivers and so on) for taking care of small but sometimes life-or-death repairs and jury-rigs.  
• A small first aid kit containing at least bandages of various sizes, antiseptic ointment, sunscreen, a bottle of contact lens saline solution (good for cleaning injuries and flushing eyes) and OTC pain relievers.  
• A safety lighter and a few small candles. Never light these unless you are sure that there is no chance of an explosion from natural gas, propane or other leaking fuels. For safety, use your flashlight for your primary light source. Save the lighter and candles for starting cooking or heating fires.  
• An indelible, waterproof black permanent marker (buy new and keep in package until needed, to maintain freshness). Useful for many things including leaving notes for rescuers or others on whatever is at hand, marking your gear at a shelter, and writing ID and medical info on the arms of kids, the elderly, the ill or anyone who may become separated or are unable to speak for themselves. (There are also white markers that can be used for darker-skinned individuals, or simply write on a lighter area of their body). Sturdy hospital or nightclub-style ID bracelets are also handy for this purpose. Note: there is always danger in having children’s ID plainly visible to strangers. Use your best judgment in each situation to weigh the various benefits and concerns.  
• Don’t forget the pets! Keep their carriers handy, clean and ready to go. Your kit should have any food, medications, leashes and important papers necessary for them, as well. Not all evacuation shelters will take animals. If you have pets, it is important that you know ahead of time where they can go and how you will take care of them in an emergency.

The bag should be checked and the edibles or expirables rotated at least every 6 months or as needed (schedule a regular check during daylight savings changeovers, when you also check your smoke alarm batteries and do other seasonal activities). Although this will cover most survival situations, you should customize it to fit your needs (toiletries, special gear, food additives, small paperback books, etc). Just keep in mind the weight and size of the final kit and that in an emergency situation you may have to carry it for a long time over rough terrain while tired, hungry or even injured.

Your bug-out kit should be placed near the main entrance and exit, or in an easy-to-reach central location. Every member of the family should know where it is and to make sure it is part of any emergency evacuation. (It is important to stress, however, that no one ever go after any item, even the emergency bag, in the case of a house fire. In that case, focus only on getting out as soon as you can.) Smaller versions of this bag can also be kept in offices and vehicles.

Although having a bug-out kit cannot guarantee your safety, it goes a long way toward ensuring that you and your family have the best chance possible of making it through any unforeseen emergency as healthy and safe as possible.

One of the biggest heartbreaks surrounding the Hurricane Katrina aftermath is the lack of preparation made for such a large-scale evacuation – and the despair of those who have become separated from their loved ones in the midst of the chaos and who have no idea if they are safe, or even alive.

Don’t be caught unprepared if a disaster strikes your family. Before you need it, you and your family should have a plan in place for reaching safety and for keeping the others apprised of your situation. Don’t rely on rescue workers and relief organizations to provide for your family’s safety, or to be able to tell you whether or not they are okay. These organizations, if they’re even present, will almost assuredly be overwhelmed and understaffed. They will be dealing with the situation in a triage manner of prioritization and even if they are able to help locate family members, their information may be incorrect. Make sure you have alternative plans for keeping your family safe and connected.

1. Have at least two out-of-state relatives or friends designated as check-in home bases, by whatever means necessary. Make sure that everyone knows to call, email or snail-mail these places as soon as possible, should they be separated in an emergency. Of course, you should offer to provide the same service in return. Note: sometimes SMS/text messaging will work even if the cell phone services are spotty and unreliable. Use this feature whenever you can’t make a good connection otherwise. Send as short a message as possible to ensure delivery, even just your name and “okay” to let everyone know that you are safe.  
2. For localized emergencies (fire, tornado, etc) have a designated meeting spot near enough to reach, but far enough away for safety. Everyone should know to meet there for a check-in as soon as they safely can. Ideas include a local store or church, the corner mailbox, the neighbor’s yard, a nearby park or school, etc. You should set up more than one, to allow for varying degrees of disruption. For example: in case of house fire, everyone meets at the lamppost on the corner. But in case of wider-spread destruction, go to the church at the top of the hill. For truly large-scale events, such as hurricanes and massive earthquakes, evacuation orders will likely supersede these options, but if possible try to regroup first then evacuate.  
3. Set up a “bug-out” bag (see article here) and make sure that everyone knows where it is and that it is to be a part of any evacuation except a house fire – everyone should know never go after any material items in the event of a fire. Also make sure that everyone knows where emergency gear such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, evacuation maps, emergency numbers and so forth are kept.  
4. If you have a bank account set up for emergency situations, make sure that all responsible adults have access to it and know how to get to it. Also make sure that anyone who does have access is a responsible adult. You don’t want to be out on the street after a disaster only to find your emergency account empty because “someone” needed shopping money (or worse) last month.  
5. Designate someone in your family to be the “tribal leader” in the case of an emergency. Normally, this will be a parent or guardian, but in some cases it may be an adult child or other relative. Choose someone who has shown that they can operate with a clear head in emergencies, who reliably makes smart choices out of bad options and who has demonstrated an ability to lead without abusing power. Work out an order of second and third choices, in case the originally chosen leader is incapacitated. In an emergency, it is vital that valuable time not be spent debating various alternatives. Unless someone clearly sees a better option that the leader is not aware of, everyone should know beforehand that, no matter what normal give and take the family may be used to, in an emergency situation they are to do exactly what the leader says without argument or hesitation.

Don’t leave your family’s survival in an emergency up to luck and quick thinking. There are far too many things that can go wrong in such a situation. Set up a plan and run your family through it a few times a year, just like a fire drill, to make sure everyone knows what to do. First, get to safety. Second, take a headcount if possible. Third, follow the leader until the situation stabilizes. Fourth, try to make contact with missing members. And finally, if the emergency is a long-term situation, set up a “base camp” with routines and regular check-ins to establish a sense of order and safety as soon as possible.

Facing the prospect of partial or even complete destruction of everything you know and love is a fearful thing, and many people would rather avoid thinking about it as much as possible. But knowing that your loved ones are prepared to make it through such an event, and that they know how to take advantage of this preparedness, goes a long way toward making the crisis bearable.

One thing that Hurricane Katrina taught us is that it is not enough to plan for the immediate disaster – survivors must also have enough reserves of whatever they need to get them through until the situation normalizes, or until they can be rescued and moved to a stable situation.

Even if you are not in a hurricane zone, having reserves of necessary items is a good idea. There is no part of the world that is immune from disaster, be it hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flood, ice and snowstorms, volcanoes or even man-made problems. Although being able to survive and come out of such disasters intact is sometimes a matter of luck, being prepared to outlast the immediate danger can make the difference between coming out alive or not coming out at all.

Here are some steps you can take ahead of time to prepare you and your family to ride out long-term effects of whatever life throws your way:

• Always maintain a reserve of non-perishable food, toiletries, medications and other necessities. Buying in bulk on a regular basis is the easiest way to do this – not only does it provide a cushion during a crisis, but it also keeps you from running out in the normal course of things and is usually a money-saver, to boot. And don’t forget your transportation! Here’s a trick that I’ve found works well – use the half-tank tick on your gas gauge as a psychological “empty.” Never let it get below that level – it doesn’t cost any more than filling it up the normal way, and you never have to face a trip around town (or a sudden disaster) wondering if you have enough gas to make it.  
• Set up a “bug-out” kit (see this article for details) ready-packed with important papers and emergency food/supplies for quick and easy survival support in an emergency situation.  
• Set up a liquid savings account or fund just for emergencies, preferably in a bank with many national branches, or online with a financial service like PayPal, in case your local branch goes down for the count. Keep your account information handy, either somewhere physically convenient or in an online storage system such as a web-based email account where you can easily access it from anywhere. Keep enough money in this account to get you through at least a few weeks of no-income emergency living, including food, shelter and medications.  
• If possible, keep $20-50 in cash in a safe, but easily reachable, place for immediate use in the case of an emergency – I recommend keeping it in your bug-out kit with the rest of your emergency supplies.  
• Learn to maintain a physical and emotional reserve, as well. Regular meditation, good health practices, and well-honed anger/frustration management skills will make your life infinitely easier in normal times and allow you to cope more effectively when your life is turned upside down.

Disasters like Hurricane Katrina are heart-wrenching and frightening, even to those not directly affected. It’s sometimes hard to see how anyone can survive such a violent uprooting. However, maintaining a stable reserve of necessary items and attitudes can keep you prepared to survive and overcome anything that man or nature throws in your direction.

According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the East Pacific expects 15 to 16 tropical storms. Nine of these end up becoming hurricanes with five becoming deadly major hurricanes. If you live in the southeastern part of the U.S. then you know that hurricane season started on June 1st. Are you prepared for Hurricane season? Did you know that Hurricane season lasts until the end of November? Have you gone out and bought all the supplies that you may need? This article is written to help you prepare for any kind of hurricane. It will also provide you with a list of items that are essential for any storm.

What do you need to do in order to prepare for a hurricane? If you live near the coastline, and a hurricane with deadly winds is going to make landfall, then you might consider evacuating and going to a shelter. You need to keep watching the news to see if the state has declared a state of emergency. If you are in the path of a land-falling hurricane, then you should prepare and have a list of supplies ready. List of supplies include: a first aid kit with all the necessary medications, canned food and an opener, plenty of water to last for at least 3 days, flashlights, a battery powered radio and extra batteries. Other supplies may include sandbags, tape, generator, raingear, sleeping bags and lastly protective clothing.

In order for one to be on the safe side, you should prepare for the worst and hope for the best. No one knows how deadly and destructive these hurricane winds are going to be. Therefore, you should have all your supplies next to you. According to Hurricanetips.com, folding beach chairs make an excellent alternative to cots. “They fold flat, double as a chair and allow you to store 16 gallon plastic storage tubs underneath to save space and secure your belongings.” (www.hurricanetips.com)

It is really important that you prepare a checklist of items that you will need. It is also important that you have a course of action ready along with important phone numbers that you might need in case of an emergency. Run through the checklist and make sure you have all your items gathered. Once all your items are gathered, make sure you have them put in a container that is small and portable. This way if you are forced to leave your home, then all you have to do is take your container with you. Now if you are forced to leave your home, you will need something to sleep on. Folding beach chairs make a good choice because they are light, they fold fast for easy storage and lastly they are easily transported. According to the Red Cross, shelters will usually allow you to keep anything that will fit in 18 square feet, slightly larger than the space for each beach chair. (www.redcross.com) Beach chairs make a great choice for storms that might require you to leave your home.

Another great item, are these new flashlights being sold over the Internet. Every year (hurricane season) people rush to Home Depot and Lowes to buy flashlights and batteries just in case the storm knocks out power lines causing a power outage for days. This way they are prepared. Who knows how long it will take for Utility companies to restore power? Why spend money on buying batteries and replacing bulbs when you can buy these new flashlights that work without batteries or the need to replace bulbs? You pick up one flashlight and your done. The flashlight will last you forever. These new and innovative flashlights are just what you need for hurricanes and other storms. They are really cheap and compact. Should you lose power, these flashlights will provide you with a guaranteed source of light. And the best thing about these flashlights is that they are stylish and light to carry.

These new flashlights are the shaking flashlights and the hand crank flashlights.

The shaking flashlights have an electric conductor that moves through some magnetic field, to generate electric current. All you need to do is shake the flashlight and electricity is generated. The light that is produced is very visible allowing you to see for a far distance. The hand crank flashlights are just as easy as the shaking flashlights. All you need to do is crank the flashlight for seconds and you will get a bright and visible source of light. These new and innovative flashlights are a far more, better choice than regular flashlights. These flashlights will save you the hassle of running out to the stores and looking to spend a lot of money on replacing batteries and bulbs. Eliminate the need to replace your bulbs or batteries. Another great product to keep around for hurricanes is the hand crank flashlight with a radio. This flashlight just like I mentioned above needs no batteries. Minutes of cranking, provides you with a source of light. And the best thing about this product is that it has a built in radio that has great reception. So if you are indoors and you lose power during a hurricane, you can still listen to the radio for the latest weather updates. All these products mentioned above are great for hurricane season.

Once these hurricanes make landfall, they can be really deadly. The heavy rains, strong winds and gigantic waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. They will even knock down power lines, leaving you without power for days. A good example would be the state of Florida last year. Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne brought destructive winds and rain that knocked down power lines leaving most of the state without power for days. People rushed to the stores for flashlights, batteries, generators and anything they could find. It was too late and people were on top of each other fighting for what was left in these stores. Hurricanes cannot be controlled but our vulnerability can be reduced through preparedness. Be prepared for this year!

These new flashlights and the beach chairs mentioned can be found at Coconutz Home and Garden. All you have to do is visit the website and see for yourself. Should you be interested in any of our products mentioned above, please enter the code “Hurricane” when prompted at check out, and you will receive 10% off of any of our products. A link for the web store has been attached at the end of this article. Get your supplies now!

If you are about to get hit by a Hurricane are you prepared? Do you have enough plywood to board up your windows? Often the local lumber companies will be sold out. In fact if you wait till the last minute Home Depot will be out too. Do you own a portable generator? No? Get one. Do you have enough fuel to keep it powered up? Most generators can use up to 1.5 gallons per hour and thus you need spare fuel tanks as well? If you wait too long the gas stations will be closed and after the Hurricane the power may not be turned back on for up to two-weeks depending on the damage. If you are talking about a direct hit Category III or IV it is entirely possible that it will be at least that long.

So what do you really need? Well you will need water first off. Fill up your bathtubs and any containers you have before the hurricane. Figure about 15 gallons per day per person. You can get by on 6-8 gallons if you have to, but 15 comfortably. Next you need food. Remember with the power out those foods needing refrigeration will spoil in a couple of days, so you need ready to eat type foods. Perhaps freeze, as much of your water as you can, ice is always a premium after a Hurricane.

If you have babies you need to be ready with those special needs and foods. Pets are also serious issues, as they will rely on you for many things, allowing them to go hunt food for themselves could cause serious hygiene issues and bacteria from broken sewer lines and debris floating in the nearby flooded waters.

In case of cuts you will need rubbing alcohol, bandaids and a basic first aid kit. It is also smart to have mosquitoes repellant as the Mosquitoes will multiply fast in the following weeks as stagnant water assists them. Chlorine can also be used to clean water. Rubber Gloves are also a must.

Besides your portable generator you will need some extra Duracell batteries, transistor radio, lighter, extra propane for cooking and a full tank of gasoline in your car. Think on this, better safe than sorry.

There are at least seven global or widespread disasters that seem likely to occur at sometime in the future. A large asteroid hitting the earth is one of those seven. It is generally accepted by scientists that asteroids have struck the earth in the past causing widespread damage. It is believed that asteroids will continue to collide with the earth every now and then. Maybe every sixty million years a big one comes along that is large enough to have a global effect on survival of earth’s living things. The chances of such an event happening in a particular person’s lifetime are tiny. But that tiny chance is there.

It is unpleasant to consider such terrible things. But the best attitude, it seems to me, is to ignore, to a very large extent, the unpleasant feelings that the topic causes. That allows a person to consider what might be done to increase the chances of surviving a disaster. No way can a person be fully prepared. And since we cannot know just what is going to take place, it may be an exercise in futility. But you never know, simple basic preparations could bring you through some calamity.

And why not take the attitude that your efforts and interest in such preparation is something to feel good about. Those efforts can be fun and interesting. The topic certainly grabs my attention better than a Hollywood movie. By doing what I can to become prepared, I am doing something that could dramatically make my life much more pleasant should I be involved in a catastrophe. Disaster preparedness is an interesting and enjoyable hobby that could pay off big-time. Knowing that all the benefits of modern life are not necessarily a given, is a reason for enjoying them more.

The seven possible widespread or global disasters:

1). Very large volcanic eruptions. Hugh volumes of gas and dust could spread around the globe. There is some evidence that these have occurred before. Doesn’t that mean that it could happen again?

2). An epidemic. There was the flu epidemic of 1918 that killed 30 million people worldwide. There was the plague that killed about one fourth of Europe’s population in the Dark Ages. Viruses and germs are known to mutate and change. They may become resistant to vaccines and medications, become more deadly, and become more contagious. Viruses and other pathogens could mutate into virulent forms that could spread rapidly around the world by people using air travel.

3). Crop failures due to plant diseases, climate change, or ozone depletion.

4). Climate changes including global warming and the effects that might come with it such as extreme heat, drought, and severe storms.

5). Nuclear war.

6). Terrorist act which could bring about widespread effects. If, for instance, a nuclear device was detonated in Washington, D.C. and another wiped out Wall Street, the effects could be unpredictable and could include economic depression, anarchy, shortages of consumer goods, and war.

7). Something unexpected. A disaster could be caused by a completely unknown event. It is unreasonable to think we are smart enough to be aware of all threats that could bring catastrophe.

There are many other plausible scenarios for widespread catastrophes. These include such things as a large solar flare that shoots out radiation and charged particles toward the earth; an object such as a black hole passing close to the earth; and a technology accident such as a genetically modified organism being released into the environment.

In recent years vast quantities of methane gas have been discovered on the sea floor where the water is very deep and in places where the water is very cold. It is believed that global warming or earthquakes could cause the methane to be released perhaps suddenly and in massive quantities. Methane is explosive and could displace oxygen causing suffocation.

Below are some things you can do to be better prepared for emergencies.

Store food and water: About a gallon of water a day per person is a reasonable goal. How many days worth is anybody’s guess - you have to use your own judgment about what is practical for you. Know where to get water if your standby supply runs out. Water of unknown purity should be boiled at least 3 minutes to kill any pathogens. If boiling is not possible add 16 drops or 1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per gallon and let stand at least 30 minutes. Smell the water. If it does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the process. Use bleach that contains nothing else other than water and 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Bleach is most effective for killing bacteria but is not effective against parasitic organisms.

Choose long storage food such as canned goods, dry food such as nuts, seeds, beans, and grain products in plastic or glass containers. Most dried beans will need to be soaked and cooked before eating. Examples of dried beans that can be eaten after soaking and without cooking include split peas, mung beans, lentils and black-eyed peas. Wheat and corn can also be soaked and eaten without cooking. Peanut butter and vegetable oil are good choices because they are calorie rich, long keeping and require no preparation. Canned meat provides protein and requires no cooking. A multi vitamin will help with adequate vitamin requirements.

Keeping warm: The colder the climate where you live, the more important this is if the electrical power fails or you are forced to leave your home. Have enough heavy clothing and blankets in your home to keep you warm. Have ready to go to put in your car such as in a garbage bag: at least two changes of clothing that will keep you warm, a sleeping bag or a couple of blankets, gloves, knit hat, and sturdy shoes.

First aid kit: The most important items may be soap for washing a wound, an antiseptic ointment, and bandaging.

Tools and supplies for short-term emergencies: Flashlight and batteries, candles, matches, can opener, soap, battery-powered radio and batteries, face mask for filtering the air you breath,

Tools and supplies for long term emergencies: all of the items above for short-term emergencies plus the food items listed above plus: long lasting led flashlight, wind-up flashlight, wind-up radio, unscented 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite bleach for purifying water, sturdy knife and sharpener, salt, grain grinder, food storage containers, shovel, blankets, rifle and ammunition.

Tools and supplies for your car: gallon of drinking water, blanket, extra clothes (sweatshirt, long underwear, boots, socks, gloves, hat), compass, rain gear, battery-powered radio and batteries, long storage and light-weight food, maps, siphon (20 feet plastic tubing, 1/2 inch diameter), gas can, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, portable light. Long-term and extras: bleach for purifying water, shorts or swimsuit, tube tent (or 10 by 10 tarp, cord), ground moisture barrier, closed cell foam sleeping pad, sleeping bag, insect repellant, sunglasses, sunscreen, soap, knife, backpack, duct tape, cord (i.e., seine twine, parachute cord, masons’ twine).

Have a short-term plan: Discuss with your family how everyone will get home if their usual transportation is not available. If the phone systems are operating, one person could remain at home to take and relay messages. Have a place in mind in case you need to relocate to a different geographic area. Plan how to get there and what you will take along. If you believe you are not enough prepared, decide how to become so.

Stay informed: Have at least a battery operated am/fm radio with extra batteries. A wind-up radio not requiring batteries could be used if the power is off for an extended period. Emergency alert radios might receive broadcasts in a long-term power failure where the backup generators for am/fm radio stations have run out of fuel.

If situations develop so that longer-term solutions are needed, you will need other strategies. You may have to hunt for and gather food from the wild. Very long-term collapse of the present supply chain would require that you become self-sufficient in mending and making your own clothing. You might have to construct a shelter using basic tools and basic materials. The scope of this article does not allow for discussions of what you would need to know to survive extended collapse of society into how it was a couple of hundred years ago.

Part 1 of this article described some of the characteristics of hurricanes and the damage they can cause. In the days before high tech weather forecasting, well organized emergency services, and mandatory evacuation, major hurricanes resulted in hundreds, if not thousands of deaths.

Most deaths, much property damage, and significant financial loss are all preventable with sensible forward planning and early action. Let’s have a look at how you can protect yourself, your family, and your property if a hurricane crosses the coast in your area

Advance Preparation for the Hurricane Season

The North American hurricane season starts on June 1st, reaches a peak in August and September, and fades out over the next two months. This doesn’t mean that major hurricanes won’t occur before or after the peak - July 2005 set new records for early hurricanes.

Unlike a tornado, a hurricane can be monitored and tracked for some time before its final landfall or decay. If you are a resident or visitor in a target area, you will normally have considerable advance warning of a hurricane’s approach, and time to safeguard your home or prepare for evacuation.

But the best time to start preparing is before the threat is visible. You can do this by

  

 

• Insuring your house and property to the maximum extent possible. An up to date inventory of your possessions is a smart move.  
• Storing important documents and valuable possessions in a secure place away from your home.  
• Checking with your local emergency co-ordinators on the risk of storm surges and flooding, and assessing your risks of damage from strong winds.  
• Preparing for evacuation if you live in a high risk coastal area. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, and put together an emergency kit which you can grab at short notice if you need to leave.  
• Owning a battery operated Weather Radio. This will provide you with warnings about the storm’s location and time and location of landfall, and will also advise when the crisis has passed.  
• Considering strengthening your roof against lifting by severe winds - options include roof strapping or extra clips.  
• You may also consider reinforcing an internal room as a safe room, a practice recommended for tornado prone areas. A bathroom on the lower level of your house may be ideal, and would provide last resort protection for you and your family against destructive winds.  
• Preparing an emergency kit in case you lose power and water during the hurricane. This should contain basic food supplies, water, torches and battery operated radios, a portable bottled gas stove, and anything else that will make life a little more bearable. Obviously most of the components of your kit will be somewhere around the house, but imagine how much easier it will be if everything you need is in the one place when the lights go out.

When A Hurricane Is Approaching

• Listen out for hurricane watches, warnings and special bulletins on Weather Radio, normal radio and TV. A Hurricane Watch (which also covers slightly less severe tropical storms which can develop into hurricanes) means hurricane conditions are possible in the next 36 hours. Check for updates on radio, TV, internet. A Hurricane Warning means a hurricane is expected within 24 hours.

   

• Put up storm shutters and secure firmly. Don’t bother with taping windows - it won’t help and it’s no fun to remove when the threat has passed  
• Secure all outdoor and garden furniture - store in an enclosed area.  
• Evacuate if advised, or if you are threatened by flooding or storm surges, if you live in a mobile home or high rise, or if you feel unsafe. Leave as soon as you can. Turn off power, gas and water if advised.  
• If you are staying, assume power and water may be cut. Fill your bathtub and other containers with water, turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting and keep the door closed, and turn off propane gas.

During a Hurricane

• Stay inside. The main dangers are flying debris and downed power lines. Listen to Weather Radio, and don’t go outside until the hurricane has passed. If the eye passes over you, a deceptive period of calm will be followed by the return of strong winds and heavy rain.  
• Secure all doors and windows, close off windows with curtains or blinds, and close all internal doors.  
• At the peak of the hurricane, go to a safe room on lower floor - lie or crouch under a sturdy table or other piece of strong furniture.

With a little good fortune, these fairly simple precautions should get you through the hurricane safely. You will have done well, and will emerge healthy and fit enough to tackle the inevitable clean up. Good luck.

But always remember that hurricanes are short lived and are only likely to be a threat for a small part of the year. Think of them as an occasional tax to be paid for the benefits of an otherwise pleasant climate.

Introduction

Part 1 of this article on preparing for weather emergencies discussed forming an emergency plan to reduce the stress and worry of facing a full blown weather crisis.

The focus was on safeguarding your family by planning well in advance of any threat.

This, the second half of the article, looks at two things.

• Preparing your home to survive severe weather, and securing it in case you have to leave.
• Coping with evacuation or temporary isolation, and assembling one or more emergency kits.

Home Security

Some forms of weather related emergency are capable of destroying your home no matter what you do - floods, tornadoes and Category 5 hurricanes come to mind.

But long term preparation and a clear plan for when severe weather is approaching can do a lot to protect your home from damage or destruction. Or to protect you if you are inside.

So put together a plan about securing your home and loading valuables and essential supplies into your vehicle in case you have to leave quickly.

Such tasks are made easier if you have been able to assemble suitable tools and equipment well before the problems arise.

Long term plans could include adding roof ties or even strapping down your house if strong winds are likely, or reinforcing an interior ground floor room to provide refuge from destructive winds.

Between a threat developing and dangerous weather arriving, there is usually some time to add protection to your home. Boarding up windows if faced with strong winds, or cutting back flammable vegetation and cleaning gutters if faced with a wildfire are worthwhile tasks if you have the time.

And as a last minute job, store outdoor furniture securely - apart from the probability of loss, a strong wind can turn them into effective missiles that could be directed at your home.

Finally, know how and where to turn off utilities - water, gas, power - and make sure other family members know it too.

Emergency Kits

An Emergency Kit is a pre-packed container which you can grab instantly if faced with a threatening situation. It should hold everything you will need if you are cut off from utilities and supplies, and should be kept separate from products and tools which you use everyday or for recreation.

It is also worth considering permanent kits for your car and workplace, but let’s focus on those kept at home.

Depending on the types of threats you may face, you could need two sorts - one if you have to leave and another if you are staying.

They should be designed to meet the particular needs of you and your family in the sorts of emergency you are most likely to face. For more information, visit the FEMA website, and check out their excellent manual at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready

Here are a few suggestions.

If you have to evacuate, your destination will probably provide food and shelter. Clothing and special needs - baby and infant needs, prescription and basic medical supplies - are the most important. Include extra warm clothes - heating may not be efficient. Food treats and special toys will make things easier for children. Some basic food and a couple of gallons of bottled water are always worth including just in case. A “keep your hands off” supply of emergency cash is also a great idea.

Alternatively, if you are likely to be isolated and unable to leave your home for a while, assemble a kit which will keep you supplied for at least three days. Assume you will have no power, heat, water or waste disposal.

The essentials are plenty of water - allow 1 gallon (4.5l) per person per day, of which half will be drinking water. Commercial bottled water is a good choice. Include non perishable food, preferably low salt, and don’t forget a manual can opener. You’ll need a battery powered radio and a flashlight, both with plenty of extra batteries, and a first aid kit.

A camp stove and gas bottles are a great addition, and you’ll need some cooking gear and some matches in a water proof container. Make sure you have enough infant or special needs, plus any necessary medication. And warm clothes should be included, plus strong shoes.

Now much of this gear will be in your house anyway, but the point of this kit is that it can double for an evacuation kit, and will be ideal if your destination is somewhere other than relatives or an emergency shelter.

And Finally…..

OK, you’ve given up some of your valuable time and made your plans for all likely eventualities. Chances are you’ll never have to use them, but things happen, and the hundred year flood may turn up next year. You can now relax and know you’ve done your best to protect your family and your home.

One more thing. Include in your plans some time in a year or so to review everything, to make sure everyone understands the plan, and to go through the emergency kits and replace anything that’s damaged or out of date. It won’t take long, and you’ll be ready for anything.

Self-Generating Flashlight

Have you seen them on the TV: the shaker flashlights that need no batteries? Lots of people want to buy one. Now here’s where that gets tricky.

I have combed thousands of booths at trade shows, specifically looking for the manufacturers of those very flashlights. These durable LED lights run by gently moving a magnet back and forth through a simple copper coil to create electricity. The longer you shake it, the more light you get. But this is gentle movement, so even those with arthritis should have little or no problem. The casings are clear so that you watch them work while you shake them. It’s cool retro-back to basics. Old cars used to have those coils for energy. The technology is not at all new, though applying them to everyday flashlights is. Do I love them? Yes and No.

I love the very few I’ve found that are dependable. I despise the majority I’ve found that are junk. Out of the several I have found, hefted, shaken and had sent to me as demos, there are only three that I would ever buy or recommend to my customers. But those three are really good products! You can view these on my Web site: www.bereadyinc.com. You can find other versions elsewhere, but you’d be wasting your money.

I’ve looked carefully, tested many, and found out for myself. Most require too much shaking for too little light, and some were already broken by the time they arrived at my office. I even found that some of the least dependable were selling for the highest price. No thanks!

At Be Ready, Inc., we have three inexpensive self-charging flashlights: the 12″, T’ and 5″. The 12″ and 5″ flashlights have double coils-the only ones I found that do- and are well-constructed for durability and dependability. But it’s the single coil, middle-sized flashlight that has my buyer’s heart. We have carried these self- generating flashlights for a year and a half and have never opened a box to demonstrate one to customer that it wasn’t already working without our ever even shaking it. I can shine that light up on the IS-foot high ceiling panels next to my fluorescent lights in the middle of the day and still see the light. Only 7″ long, this compact no-battery flashlight truly shines among the competition.
Word of caution: do not store self-generating flashlights or any magnets around your computer or appliances with computer chips. You’ll have to be careful where you store this one, but not having to ever have batteries for your flashlights again is worth it!

I’ve shared my best ideas; what are yours? Write me at Erica@bereadyinc.com. The best ideas will be shared in my newsletters and updates. Together we’ll keep families safe.