Natural Disasters: Are You Prepared?
Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Floods. Tornadoes.
All natural disasters requiring emergency preparedness.
These have all occurred internationally in the past month, three out of four of them within the United States alone. According to Wikipedia, a natural disaster is ‘a hazard which occurs naturally, that is a disaster that is not brought about by acts of human beings. A natural disaster might be caused by earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruption, landslide, etc. In order to be classified as a disaster it will have profound environmental effect and/or human loss and frequently incurs financial loss.’
We’ve definitely seen those all around us, haven’t we? Today on the radio was a statement of up to 25 feet of flooding expected in Massachusetts in the coming days. This, after a rush of tornadoes hit the southern United States just last week. Unexpected tornadoes in areas that never really see this kind of natural occurrence. And, overall nationwide, it has been the coldest, wettest winter ever. And this in the middle of our global warming crisis. Something’s going on and I don’t think it has anything to do, whatsoever, with a warming crisis, global or otherwise.
How do you prepare for such an emergencies? How can you guarantee you’ll get out alive, should one occur near you? Having been through a natural disaster myself, it is logical to want to be prepared. However, as time goes by, you forget about the need and start forgetting it can happen to you – within seconds. You won’t see it coming. You won’t hear anything odd. You won’t feel any difference. And then – it will hit. And you don’t want to be unprepared.
In 1999, retailers saw an onslaught of imperishable purchases made by consumers in order to sustain them through the horrendous millennium that was expected. Nothing happened. Eventually, they went through bags and boxes of food and water and whatever else they filled it to bulging with and discarded outdated items. Now the empty bags sit in the back of the closet with a little voice inside saying, ‘Fill me.”
Disasters are unexpected. Once they hit, the need for help is instant, whether it be medical, for food and/or water, etc. The more we are prepared for such a moment, the more help we can be and give to others.
On this website, we will provide you with a list of items for just such a time. It is a good starting point for those who want to be prepared for any situation as best they can.
Clean air, food, fresh water, warmth – are all the important basics needed for survival. How much of each is needed for an emergency is another important piece of information. This, we will share on our “Basics for Survival” page. There will be a list of all items you’ll want to have on hand, should you be faced with a disaster unexpectedly. The first, foremost, and wisest thing you could ever do to prepare for such a catastrophe? Don’t ever get so comfortable in thinking it will never happen to you – or someone you love.
