News Today Not Good
This morning the National Weather Service released their forecast for this year's hurricane and storm season and it is not good news. Last year was an above normal year and this years look like it could be even worse. Today we are nearly blowing away here in California and I understand things are just as bad in Oregon and Idaho. Now is the time to prepare.
For those of you in hurricane country please, please get together a 72 hour kit now! I just posted a new download this morning and it will walk you through the steps and give you lots of ideas for 72 hour kits and also for evacuation plans.
A few tips and warning:
1. Be careful when buying on line. Kits are very different. Look for kits that are designed and manufactured by the owners of the website you are looking at. You will notice that many…sites sell the same kits. They are resellers and the kits are a "one size fits all". For some this may be fine but I would be very careful of these. Also, compare the items in the kit. I had a friend tell me they bought a kit because it had a tent. Yikes! Those tents are nothing more than plastic bags with tie downs. Seriously, they are not wind resistant and easily destroyed. I would recommend you purchase a tarp and rope and you will be ahead. You can use them as a shelter, cover for a dangerous rubble pile or even as a way to move rubble, pile it on and drag it away.
2. Keep the kids in mind. Children will be comforted during a time of crisis if they have something of their own. Be sure to purchase or assemble kits that are designed for kids. Then be sure you add personal items like toys and books.
3. Rolling back packs are not the best. I have been asked this question so many times. Be careful here. It sounds like a great idea but they are pretty worthless if you have to travel through flood waters or navigate around debris from a storm or earthquake. If you should decide this is the way to go be sure to load the pack with 20 to 25 pounds and then wear it around for a few minutes. Most will leave you with a very sore back. Rolling packs have hard frames and these frames dig into your hips and back when the pack is worn, when the circumstances won't allow you to pull them. If you have young children or pets remember that you will want to keep your hands free to help them.
4. Be sure the food in a kit you purchase has a long shelf life and are complete. Some kits have granola bars and instant oatmeal or similar items. These are a poor choice. Granola bars need to be rotated ever 6 months to a year and instant foods need water to reconstitute, a luxury you may not have. During all disasters the water supply will be affected. Sometimes for hours, sometimes for weeks. Because of limited water you also want to make sure your kits never include jerky or any other salted foods. These will just cause more thirst.
5. Don't forget to have some food stored. I probably don't need to tell you this but even if the storm does not damage your neighborhood, if the storm is within 100 miles all those evacuees will be looking for food and the store shelves may be bare. If you should have to provide refuge for family and friends you will want to be prepared. To get started on an organized food storage plan check out the Where to Begin Food Storage posts.
Get started today! We will all hope the forecasts are wrong but just in case they aren't..be Totally Ready for whatever comes.
