Preparedness Lessons from a Hurricane
I received this email from someone who lived through Hurricane Sandy and wanted to share some of the lessons he learned about being prepared for when (not if) emergencies come our way.
It has some pretty interesting tidbits and thought-provoking points, mixed with a little sense of humor, that we thought were pretty helpful. Hopefully you all enjoy!
Things that I learned from Hurricane Sandy
1. The excitement and coolness wears off around day 3
2. You are never really prepared to go weeks without power, heat, water, etc. Never!
3. Yes it can happen to you.
4. Just because your generator runs like a top, does not mean it's producing electricity.
5. If you do not have water stored up you are in trouble. a. A couple of cases of bottled water is "NOT" water storage
6. Should have as much fuel as water a. Propane b. Gas c. Kerosene d. Firewood e. Fire starter, (kindling, paper, etc)
7. Even the smallest little thing that you get from the store should be stocked up.....(spark plug for the generator, BBQ lighter, etc.
8. If you are not working, chances are nobody else is either.
9. I was surprised how quickly normal social behavior goes out the window. I am not talking about someone cutting in line at the grocery store. a. 3 people were killed at gas stations within 50 miles of my home. I did not say 3 fights broke out—-3 people were killed.
10. Cash is king (all the money in your savings means nothing)
11. Stored water can taste nasty.
12. You eat a lot more food when you are cold.
13. You need more food than you think if your kids are out of school for 2 weeks
14. Kids do not like washing their face in cold water.
15. Your 1972 Honda civic gets to the grocery store as well as your 2012 Escalade...but the Honda allows money left over for heat, food, water, a generator, firewood, a backup water pump, you get the idea..
16. The electrical grid is way more fragile than I thought.
17. Think of the things that are your comfort, your escape, a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of milk and a ding dong before bed, etc. Stock up on those too. You will need that comfort after day 3.
18. You quickly become the guy in the neighborhood who knows how to wire a generator to the electrical panel, directly wire the furnace to a small generator, or get the well pump up and running on inverter power; or you are the guy whose Master's degree in Accounting suddenly means nothing.
19. A woman who can cook a fine meal by candle light over the BBQ or open fire is worth her weight in gold.
20. It takes a lot of firewood to keep a fire going all day and into the evening for heat.
21. All the food storage in the world means nothing if your kids won't eat it.
22. You might be prepared to take care of your children and their needs, but what about when the neighborhood children start to show up at your door.
23. Some people shut down in an emergency. There is nothing that you can do about that.
24. Your town, no matter how small, is entirely dependent on outside sources of everything. a. If supply trucks stop rolling in due to road damage, gas shortages or anything else, you could be without for a long time.
25. In an emergency Men stock up on food, Women stock up on toilet paper. :-)
26. I was surprised how many things run on electricity!
27. You can never have enough matches.
28. Although neighbors can be a great resource, they can also be a huge drain on your emergency storage. You need to know how you are going to handle it. It is really easy to be Bob the guy who shares on Day 3———-not so easy on Day 11. Just reality.
29. Give a man a fish he eats for that day, teach a man to fish and he will never be hungry again.. Now I get it.
30. All of the expensive clothes in the closet mean nothing if they don't keep you warm.
31. Same goes for shoes… Love you Honey!!!!
32. You cannot believe the utility companies. They are run by politicians!! Or so it seems.
33. Anything that you depend on someone else for is not available anymore.
34. Quote "A man with a chainsaw that knows how to use it is a thing of beauty" hahaha
35. Most folks don't have any emergency storage. They run to Wal-Mart and get water and batteries and then fill their tubs with water. That is it. A lucky few will get a case of ramen and a box of poptarts. That will be your neighbors' supply.
36. Fathers, all the money you have ever made means nothing if you can't keep your kids warm.
37. Mothers, everything you have ever done for your kids is forgotten if your kids are hungry.
38. You really do not want to be the "Unprepared Parents." The kids turn on you pretty quick.
39. Small solar charging gadgets will keep you in touch. Most work pretty well it seems.
40. Most things don't take much power to operate. a. Computers b. Phones c. Radios d. TV e. lights
41. Some things take a ton of power to operate. a. Fridge b. Toaster c. Freezer d. Hot plate e. Microwave
42. When it gets dark at 4:30 pm the nights are really long without power.
43. Getting out of the house is very important. Even if it is cold. Make your home the semi warm place to come home to.. not the cold prison that you are stuck in.
44. Someone in your family should play or learn to play guitar (or other musical instrument).
45. Things that disappeared never to be seen again for a very long time: a. Fuel, of all kinds b. Matches, lighters of any kind etc. c. Toilet paper d. Paper plates, plastic forks and knives e. Batteries, (I didn't really see a need for them...flashlights??? I guess) f. Milk g. Charcoal h. Spark plugs (generators) i. 2 stroke motor oil, (chainsaws) j. Anything that could be used to wire a generator to the house. k. Extension cords l. Medicines (Tylenol, Advil, cold medicine etc)
46. There was a strange peace to knowing all I had to do each day was keep my family safe, warm, and fed, but my peace was someone else's panic.
There were also many things that were not learned from hurricane Sandy, but reinforced. Those things were the importance of my family and their love and support, especially my lovely wife; that my Heavenly Father is really in charge, period. And finally, that I am very thankful for the upbringing and experiences that have taught me and brought me to where I am .. Wherever that is…hahahaha...
God Bless!!!