Re: Disaster Preparation

We live in hurricane country, of course, but when be purchased we decided
not to be on the coast, or in the Keys with only one way out. We also
checked with the Extension service about the height of the property we were
considering to determine that we were NOT in a flood zone. This kind of
information is available FREE.

We would not evacuate because of our animals. We distill our own water and
always have at least 5 or 6 gallons on hand--using the oldest first to keep
it fresh, and we keep several bottles frozen in the freezer that we could
transfer to a cooler. We have 2 generators on property--but 2 houses, too.
During Katrina one of our generators was in for repair!!!! We have a
hand-operated pitcher pump outside--since it was broken during Andrew, we
keep a second one tucked away for storage. We always keep a good supply of
canned goods in the cupboard during hurricane season. We have a gas stove
we can light with matches for 4 burners, so we can cook. If you have a
barbecue make sure you have enough fuel for it, as you can cook or heat a
lot. Having a propane burner or stove would be an option, too.

Identify your animals. We put halters on our horses with engraved luggage
tags on them.

Everyone has priceless photos and important papers. Keep them in something
waterproof and if you evacuate take them with you along with whatever
priceless mementos you would not want to lose. They are often more
important than tangible replaceable objects.

Pick one person out of the area that you will contact if and when you can
and have it prearranged with them to notify everyone else--give them a list
with phone numbers if necessary. Have first aid supplies on hand. Make
arrangements for your pets--you are responsible for their welfare. South
Florida does now have two shelters that will accept pets but you MUST
preregister!

We usually have warning for hurricanes (though we do have tornados, too) and
we have a cooler ready to pack (all those frozen water bottles are the ice
for it). Katrina developed very suddenly for those of us in South Florida
and we did not have a normal time span to prepare, and they were not
recommending shuttering or evacuation. We would not evacuate, but we do
have storm shutters we can install. We also have a very well-built
structure that survived Andrew intact--a barn, concrete and steel beam
construction where we rode out Andrew in an inside, windowless room.

The unexpected can happen. I slipped and dislocated my prosthetic hip
cleaning up the day after Katrina. I was in terrible pain. Fortunately
Katrina had not made roads between me and the hospital impassible. I don't
know what I would have done had it happened during Andrew when it took 3
days to clear our road for passage!

Your situation may require different plans. Use common sense. Preparing
ahead can make all the difference as to how a disaster affects you.

Barb C.
"Margie" <nomoremargiesjunk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:g53fh1p3d2e9meqho5o295pj0ljqbpmovc@xxxxxxxxxx
>I guess all us Californians better just up and leave right now, huh?
> I live about 50 yards from the Hayward fault, which is "rumored" to be
> the location of the next "big one" in Northern California. I did
> spend about $8K to have my foundation bolted and the house
> shear-walled, but beyond that there's little I can do. Katrina has
> given me reason to consider once again my EQ preparedness (or lack
> thereof). So far I've gotten two gallons of water stored in the
> garage. Period. Today I put a gallon ziploc of dry cat food and a
> couple of small bottles of water in Sunny's carrier, and attached her
> collar to the carrier (which she only wears when I am out of town).
> So if I really have no time, I can just grab the carrier and her and
> be out of here (theoretically, at least). I really do need to gather
> some supplies (shoes, blanket, flashlight, radio, batteries, canned
> food, can opener, etc.) and put them somewhere readily accessible. I
> can easily imagine the greater Bay Area turning into a disaster area
> similar to what's going on in New Orleans right now -- no hospitals,
> no roads, no electricity or water, no emergency personnel available.
> It's very scary and all too real this week. We all have our version
> of a natural disaster to contemplate (or at least those of us not
> living in Michigan or Hawaii -- vbg) -- let's use the opportunity to
> be as prepared as we can be.
>
> Margie



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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Disaster Preparation
    ... > We would not evacuate because of our animals. ... We distill our own water ... > canned goods in the cupboard during hurricane season. ... Katrina developed very suddenly for those of us in South Florida ...
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  • Re: Disaster Preparation
    ... We would not evacuate because of our animals. ... hand-operated pitcher pump outside--since it was broken during Andrew, ... we have a cooler ready to pack (all those frozen water bottles are the ice ... Katrina developed very suddenly for those of us in South Florida ...
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