The End Of The World As We Know It?

No, just summer time in Texas.

About nine thousand people were left without power Sunday after a round of strong storms moved through North Texas.

Flash flooding was also a big problem for many people. It all started early Sunday morning with lightning and rain that continued through most of the day, creating a dangerous situation for some drivers.

Folks, being prepared for the “The End Of The World As We Know It” is a good thing but the odds are much greater you’ll need your preps for mundane reasons like this — the occasional power outage, the flash flood that forces you to either abandon your car or get out of your home quickly.

Officials believe at least three morning house fires were started by lightning strikes in Crowley and Mansfield.

“then it had a loud boom, like, I’ve never heard anything like that before.”

William Gant heard the thunder, but his neighbor James Dopson across the street felt it as he talked on his cell phone while it was charging.

“I felt a bing, and as soon as that happened, the phone kind of jumped out of my hand, and you know, you first do a body check, making sure that you’re ok.“

Minutes later, neighbors were ringing Dopson’s doorbell, telling him his house was on fire, and to get out.

Dopson, his 10-year-old daughter, and their cat left with the clothes on their backs.

“At that time, the flames were coming through the roof a little bit, and after that just boom, just went up,” says Gant.

Dopson’s home in the 4700 block of Sailboat Drive in Mansfield, was gutted.

Fire officials say, just a quarter mile away, in the same neighborhood, lightning set fire to a home in the 4700 block of Poppy drive.

Firefighters say a home in neighboring Crowley was also struck by lightning and caught fire.

People want to talk about the paranoia, the fear preppers supposedly have in abundance. They seldom want to talk about the routine drama that being prepared helps a person deal with. They seldom talk about the comfort and confidence being ready gives a person.

Not every problem is going to affect a large portion of the population; not of the country, not of the state — possibly not even your town. Sometimes problems are very limited in area but have a huge impact on those people. Being equipped with ways to cook, light your house or even ‘bug out’ can make a tremendous difference for a single family.

The motto “Be Prepared” isn’t limited to just Scouts.

Please join the discussion.