Earthquake
It is time to plan in case of any ‘natural’ disaster or ANY other kind of unforeseen serious issue that can arise. Let’s start with the most ‘common’ possible disaster in California…Earthquake. If we are all prepared for that, we will be prepared for almost anything. Time is of the essence since it could happen tomorrow, and if memory serves you with the ‘Northridge Quake’…everything was interrupted for days. So let’s look at the ‘worst case’ scenario. A magnitude 7-9 quake will leave us ‘without’ the following:
Electricity
Natural gas
Running water
Grocery stores/food
Gas stations
Banks and ATM’s
Police Protection
CASH. Make sure you have plenty of small bills stashed away someplace safe since getting your money from a bank will be impossible. Have enough to last several weeks if you can.
Stock up on all food and water. Have AT LEAST a 60 +day supply. Don’t forget dog food, powdered milk, lots of canned meats, vegetables, breakfast bars, canned fruit, dried beans, rice and vitamins. Purchase a water filtering system where, if you must…you can utilize your pool water when everything else has been exhausted or contaminated. (I will post a link to where I bought mine if you need it.)
Purchase kerosene lanterns for night time. Batteries will last just so long. There are solar powered devises that you can charge throughout the day, devices for your car that will charge your cell phone, etc. Solar powered radios are a must along with flashlights and don't forget lighters and a few boxes of good old fashioned matches.
Propane cooking stove or an outdoor propane BBQ. The old fashioned coal BBQ's are great for family fun but not great in a survival situation since it's hard to boil water using coals and you will run out of them quickly. Have extra propane canisters stored in a safe, cool place.
Prepare your cars with ‘survival kits’. Pack a ‘back-pack’ with at least a 2 day supply of food, water, first aid kit, thermal blanket, money, and a pair of tennis shoes in case the roads are impassable and you have to walk it.
If you do not own a firearm, consider getting one or something to protect yourself and family. Please consider desperate people go to desperate measures and those not prepared may be driven to do terrible things. We all must consider the ‘worst case’ scenario at all times.
No electricity or phones mean no working alarm systems protecting your home OR you and your family. Most likely there will be panic everywhere, the police will have their hands full and you'll be on your own. I want you to imagine how you will feel with no protection against people entering your home. It's safe to say you'll be in big trouble.
Remember that cell towers may be knocked out and since a lot of us now have cable phone, our home phones will be useless. Make a plan for your family of where to meet so that all can be accounted for in an emergency situation. We have to consider ALL possibilities to preserve a decent ‘way of life’ for our families if the worst happens. You need to consider the altitude of your home…since the sea level may be affected. Please consider the year your home was built and its ability to withstand a 1-3-5 minute ‘shake’. Put a plan in place for every room of your house you may be in when it hits.
If you are ready for a major earthquake disaster, you are ready for just about anything. That is what I want for my friends here. Feel free to add to this list for all the readers to prepare themselves. I'll sleep better knowing you're prepared.
I am ready... are you?
With love always,
Cherie