You Should be Familiar With a Disaster Before it Strikes. Because Once it Does Strike, The Only Thing You Can do is “Press Play” And Carry Out Whatever Plan You Have in Place

I’ve seen the reality of what happens after disasters like Hurricane Irma, to me this is just one more example of how life can change in an instant, mother nature has no favorites, and if you are not ready for it she will take you down with everything else.

Preparing for situations like these is actually a good starting point because as you prepare for some of these more localized events, you will be preparing for other events like being off the grid without even knowing it.

The basics of preparing for a natural disaster is based on the same principal as preparing for a national event, you need to start with being able to survive for the first 3 days.

Having the right supplies really depends on what natural disaster is most likely to affect you where you live.

When natural disasters comes to your town, what do you do? Most people aren’t prepared. And, because of that, they’ll suffer catastrophic losses and be totally blindsided by the fact that they don’t have electricity, clean water, and probably food. Here’s how you can prepare yourself so you’re not caught out in the unprepared.

Planning For Any Disaster

You’ll see common preparedness tips for every type of natural disaster, which is why a disaster preparedness plan makes sense. Most natural disasters will knock out, or limit access to, essential services. Services like police, fire, and rescue, but also services like food, water, and shelter.

You should be familiar with a disaster before it strikes. Because once it does strike, the only thing you can do is “press play” and carry out whatever plan you have in place. For most people, a basic survival plan includes a “bug out bag” or a “bug in bag,” which includes basic safety supplies, 3 ways to make a fire, waterproof clothing, a rain slicker, some food (freeze-dried or canned with a can opener), and a first-aid kit.

You will also want some basic tools like a hatchet, pick, walkie-talkies, and multi-tool. You need enough materials so you could survive for at least 72 hours alone, if you had to. If you want extra protection, give yourself a week’s worth of supplies and stock 2 of everything.

Also read: When “SHTF” Stops Becoming Fantasy And Becomes Reality, You And Your Family Will Depend On The Government To Simply Survive?

Preparing For An Earthquake

This is one of the hardest things to do, because of the nature of the disaster. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you already know. If you’re not sure, use the Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program and the U.S. Geological Survey to map out where the high risk areas are. The USGS also uses a live map so you can see up-to-the minute activity.

There’s nothing you can do to avoid a quake, but you can give your home an earthquake checkup. Check for disasters, fasten shelves to the wall studs, and store anything breakable in a safe place. Store poisons in cabinets that latch shut. Put heavy objects on low shelves and secure heavy furniture. Practice earthquake drills with your family.

The most important thing you can do is get underneath something sturdy and find an open space. Most deaths caused by earthquakes come from flying debris and falling objects. Collapsing structures and walls are also dangerous. Your first priority is to minimize personal injury. Finally, avoid damaged or falling structures.

Preparing For Hurricanes

Like tornadoes, hurricanes produce very severe and fast winds that are damaging to people, buildings, vehicles, and the natural environment. The benefit is we often see them coming from many miles away and have technologies to detect them easily.

Hurricanes bring on flooding, fires, and other secondary disasters. They also bring on sustained winds and rain. Board up the windows and doors with plywood, install storm shutters, and secure your roof and siding. Bring in outdoor furniture.

Check the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood map database. If you have to evacuate, shut off your utilities, including the main power switch. Check with the local authorities about a main evacuation route, and practice it with your family.

Hunker down and evacuate when ordered to do so. Even weak hurricanes can kill. And when it’s all done, flooding cleanup may not be completed for days, meaning you’re stranded in a flooded area.

So, it’s usually best to evacuate, since rescue may not be able to get to you in time, and you won’t have anywhere to escape to.

Also read: 10 Best Life Lessons We Can Learn From Our Grandparents About Self-Reliance

Planning For A Tornado

A tornado can come on fast and be quite unpredictable. Tornados don’t just happen in the Midwest either. They can happen in the south, north, and west — basically anywhere in the U.S.

Anywhere a thunderstorm can form, a tornado can too. The amount of concentrates damage they cause is astonishing. Like most storms, the best way to handle one is get out of the way.

You can’t really prepare your home for a tornado, since they’re so damaging. Some homes are built to withstand tornado winds, and are protected by special shutters and siding, but even then there are no guarantees that the tornado wouldn’t destroy everything.

Tornadoes are accompanied by strong winds and storms. The wind might pick up for a while and then suddenly die down. Watch the sky. It will get dark and suddenly, you might hear a loud rushing sound, like a roar. Be on the lookout for clouds that rotate in a circular pattern. They strike quickly, and the trademark funnel cloud is a good sign but may not appear until debris is already picked up.

Have a emergency Radio, because severe storms will be reported here first. Listen for emergency broadcasts if conditions look right for a tornado. If one strikes, stay low and get to a place in the basement. Ideally, you will be on the lowest level of your home. If you’re in a highrise, try to get down to the lowest level quickly.

But, stay away from windows and outside walls. If you’re in a vehicle, this might seem scary but get out of it. Vehicles can be picked up and flung very easily by tornadoes. Get out and lay face down in a ditch or a very low area. Stay away from bridges and underpasses as the wind can be very harsh under them.

Wildfires

Wildfires will devour anything and everything in it’s path, and if that happens to be your home your best option is to get out as quickly as possible. how quickly a fire spreads depends on the weather conditions, wind direction and your climate.

There are some things you can do to mitigate the possible damage to your home or property far before a fire gets to your front door. Don’t just depend on the fire department to save you home and belongings because they will already have their hands full and their first priority is saving lives.

Wildfire Survival Basics

• Have emergency phone numbers and an evacuation plan in place.
• If your kids are at school and you are at work you will need a safe location to meet up, have a location picked out before hand.
• Prepare your home to withstand a wild fire by trimming trees 4 feet above the ground, removing any leaves or branches on the ground that could become tinder.
• Don’t use materials like wood chips for flower beds around your home, this is just fuel for the fire.
• Have fire fighting tool ready to go, tools like shovels, rakes and garden hoses that could help prevent a fire from consuming your house.
• Have a bug out plan. Have everything you need ready to go at a moments notice, including important documents.

It is important to look at this experience as a learning opportunity, and see what you did wrong and what you did right during the event. This can help you better prepare for the future

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