Everyone needs a disaster kit, everyone. You never know when this preparation might come in handy. Even if you don't live in a hurricane, flood, tornado, forest fire or similar disaster area, being prepared for a disaster in this day and age should be a top priority. It's easy to do in advance. It can help if you are snowed in, ill for a week with the flu, your car broke down, a tree falls blocking traffic, a bridge collapses, a river floods, storm drains fail, or you can't travel.
Hurricanes effects can reach hundreds of miles inland dropping huge amounts of water in a short amount of time. Hurricanes can also spawn very high winds and multiple tornados in inland areas. Over the last several months we've been stocking up on canned food and water. For toilet flushing water, Gary has been filling up milk and orange juice bottles as they are emptied. For drinking water we've purchased bottled water. We have a tent, foam mattress, camp stove, bottled propane, tarps, hand operated tools, a chain saw and extra fuel. We also have a back up generator which operates limited electricity in our home.
We checked out a disaster preparation video out of the library and learned some important information. You tube probably has some good information too. If you become separated from a loved one, decide where you will meet. Also pick a relative or friend to call that lives in a different area to notify since local phones may not work, and phones in a different location may be easier to reach. Please don't put it off, do it now, put your disaster kit together and keep it stocked at all times. Information below for a diaster supply kit was taken from the NOAA site.
Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (some small bills) Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be open for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash
Gerry is getting his "hurricane kit" together today to head down and cover the hurricane for the AP. You should see all of the stuff this man packs to cover these storms! Stay safe, hope you just get some rain....
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. Sounds like you are prepared for the Hurricane season. Good Luck and as my brother used to advise- "If it rains get under something"
ReplyDeleteLinda - good idea to have your 'kit.' When we were trying to sell our house in Orlando in 2004, we had 3 hurricanes within 2 weeks of each other. We lost power for over a week each time. And we had to get our house inspected for the sale 3 times - at our cost! YIKES.
ReplyDeleteHope you do just get rain. Looks like Irene is going to skirt the east coast - headed to Wilmington. Hope she sends some rain our way too.
thank you for an important reminder. we had an ice storm in NH in 2008 and were without power for days (some people for two weeks). i was not prepared very well and it was when john was getting hospice care at home. thankfully my sister lived just an hour away and had power in her town. she brought me 5 gallon buckets of water, extra food and batteries. a neighbor let me borrow a "regular" phone. we could only use flashlights - no candles because we had oxygen tanks in the house.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice and list for anyone. We live under the illusion that things can't happen, but our infrastructure is such that we are one incident away from shutdown of deliveries and power. I think people are becoming more aware. I hope so. I've been stocking up on non-perishables and other things on your list for the last year.
ReplyDeleteStay safe with that storm heading towards Florida!
Thanks for posting this. I copied it off and plan on getting started. Shame on me for not doing this sooner. I live in tornado alley...
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey, thanks, does Gerry keep that kit in his car, easier than lugging it. I hope you have a disaster kit at your home too, you never know about all the rains we get.
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, thanks, I hope you have one too.
Hi Judy, thanks, three hurricanes, in two weeks, wonder why I moved here. ugh.
Hi Michele, thanks, we used to live high in the Sierra and had many times during big snowstorms when we were without electricity. I forgot to put wine on the disaster kit list. Ha.
Hi Teresa, thanks, yeah the good thing about buying food in advance is that it cost less when you eat it, Ha. No hurricane for us; it's skirting by to the north.
Hi Turquoisemoon, thanks, yeah a kit is essential no matter where one lives.