Seriousness are you prepared?

kindlekitten · 10-13-2010, 10:53 AM

in my neck of the woods we are being told to expect the worst winter in 55 years. winters here can be very whacky indeed. a couple of years after I first moved out here we had a truly wild storm on christmas eve that knocked out power all over the area (we were without power for 8 or 9 days), literally made trees explode from freezing, and ended up with my entire family sleeping in one bed for warmth. the house was completely electric and had no fireplaces. the next year we bought the farm that I am on now. even though the house is still a disaster from a contractor gone bad, it is a survivable house.

when I had kids at home I always had a couple of crates that were kept in the garage with our disaster supplies. in addition to crazy storms, this is also the land of not "if" but "when" the BIG ONE (earthquake) comes, are you prepared? I have rudimentary supplies in place, nothing like when I had kids at home, but now with all of these dire warnings, I'm thinking maybe I need to take inventory and stock up again.

how about everyone else? how do you stay prepared?

desertgrandma · 10-13-2010, 11:42 AM

Being a native of California,....we were always prepared.

Earthquakes happen, and when they do....you can't count on running to the local 7-11 for a quart of milk, water lines can be broken, no power, etc.

Then we moved to north central Arkansas, and took our 'be prepared' attitude with us.

Had the worst ice storm in years the first year we were there.....we were 15 miles out of town, on 20 acres, no one near. EVERYTHING went down. No one was going anywhere, except the poor workers trying to get power back on

We had a camp stove, propane heater,oil lanterns, canned food, water, blankets, puzzles and books

Melted the snow over the heater to flush the toilet (Water came from electric well which was out)

Had a wonderful, comfortable 3 days until power was restored.

Many others whined because work didn't progress faster. They were cold, hungry, and their TV didn't work.

Here, in the desert, you keep water around.....not much else you can do if the power goes out in the middle of summer....

HarryT · 10-13-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

in my neck of the woods we are being told to expect the worst winter in 55 years.

The Met Office in the UK has stopped issuing long-range (ie seasonal) weather forecasts, because they have proved to be so extremely unreliable. I wouldn't get too worked up about it until it happens.

kindlekitten · 10-13-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Met Office in the UK has stopped issuing long-range (ie seasonal) weather forecasts, because they have proved to be so extremely unreliable. I wouldn't get too worked up about it until it happens.

they're basing this on the La Nina/El Nino currents. I've been teaching skiing in the northwest since 1997. every year they have predicted nina, nino or null have been absoultely spot on. the ocean current that they use to test the water temperature to determine the predictions hasn't been this cold this early since 1955. they have a REALLY good record at predicting the long range aspects here.

wodin · 10-13-2010, 02:13 PM

In Hawai`i (O`ahu) we have hurricane and tsunami preparedness kits. Of course on the Big Island, where Grace is they also have to worry about earthquakes and erupting volcanoes.

If you are in an inundation zone (water or lava) the only preparedness possible is a full gas tank and a place to go.

kindlekitten · 10-13-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

In Hawai`i (O`ahu) we have hurricane and tsunami preparedness kits. Of course on the Big Island, where Grace is they also have to worry about earthquakes and erupting volcanoes.

If you are in an inundation zone (water or lava) the only preparedness possible is a full gas tank and a place to go.

I understand a hefty supply of toilet paper is advised as well

happy_terd · 10-13-2010, 09:53 PM

Does this mean that the polar bears are going to be ok?

------------------------

I am usually always ready. Bring on the cold!!!

SameOldStory · 10-13-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Met Office in the UK has stopped issuing long-range (ie seasonal) weather forecasts, because they have proved to be so extremely unreliable. I wouldn't get too worked up about it until it happens.

Harry, maybe you could tell them about our (US) long range weather forecasting solution. Very accurate indeed.

SameOldStory · 10-13-2010, 11:15 PM

Seriously though, I've kept several levels of emergency preparedness kits stocked.

First there is the "get out of town kit". Just what it says. I can walk out, or drive out, in about 5 or 10 minutes. If I don't have that much time, I'm probably going to die anyway.

Loss of utilities, whether from storm or other cause is taken care of with bottled water and a power generator. Before I had an ereader I used to worry about the loss of entertainment.

Disaster! OK, disaster isn't always that dramatic. Sure, the world may revert back to barbarous times with millions dying. But more often than not "disaster" just means inconvenience. You lose you job or something.

For disasters I have about 6 months of food. It's all stuff we eat every day. All bought when on sale and then marked with a purchase date and stored. The oldest dated food is used first and the new purchases are packed away.

Done slowly you never miss the money, unlike buying "SURVIVAL RATIONS".

SameOldStory · 10-13-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy_terd

Does this mean that the polar bears are going to be ok?

------------------------

I am usually always ready. Bring on the cold!!!

I swear H_T! don't you listen to Al Gore and Michael Moore?

The polar bears are going to die. But so are we when the 900 foot tidal waves strike us. So it all balances out.

GraceKrispy · 10-14-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

In Hawai`i (O`ahu) we have hurricane and tsunami preparedness kits. Of course on the Big Island, where Grace is they also have to worry about earthquakes and erupting volcanoes.

If you are in an inundation zone (water or lava) the only preparedness possible is a full gas tank and a place to go.

yep, I live in fear of a simultaneous eruption (other than the continuous one, that one doesn't count) and tsunami. Where would we go?

Throw in an Earthquake and a Hurricane (can you have a hurricane at the same times as a tsunami?) and maybe a wildfire or two (we get a lot of those) and we're set in party mode!

Maybe I should move...

(oh, and KUDOS to you, ku'u hoa, for using the proper 'okina in O'ahu and Hawai'i!

)

recluse · 10-14-2010, 01:40 AM

I always try to stay prepared for weather emergencies.
Despite the fact that Hurricane Earl was a dud.
The first major nor'easter hits tomorrow and Long Island tends to get slammed pretty hard.
I have supplies on hand at all times.
Food, water, flashlight, candles, home defense kit.
Safe transport for my dog.
I know the coastal evacuation routes.
Learned my lesson after the big ice storm we had in the '70s.
The only thing you really can't prepare for is when everyone around you turns into idiots.

kindlekitten · 10-14-2010, 01:42 AM

I guess I'm asking what everyone's preparations are? what do you have/have you done that makes you feel just a little bit better if you are potentially facing day 5 or 6 of not moving from your home (or possibly work)

recluse · 10-14-2010, 01:51 AM

Food.
Water.
Liquor.
Candles.
Flashlights. The hand crank kind.
Lanterns. Ditto.
Radio.
Home defense kit. Not telling.
Books.

GraceKrispy · 10-14-2010, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recluse

I always try to stay prepared for weather emergencies.
Despite the fact that Hurricane Earl was a dud.
The first major nor'easter hits tomorrow and Long Island tends to get slammed pretty hard.
I have supplies on hand at all times.
Food, water, flashlight, candles, home defense kit.
Safe transport for my dog.
I know the coastal evacuation routes.
Learned my lesson after the big ice storm we had in the '70s.
The only thing you really can't prepare for is when everyone around you turns into idiots.

Hmm... I have to rethink my vision of you. I was thinking of you as being at an age where you wouldn't remember much, if any, of the 70s.

10-13-2010, 10:53 AM	#1
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	are you prepared? in my neck of the woods we are being told to expect the worst winter in 55 years. winters here can be very whacky indeed. a couple of years after I first moved out here we had a truly wild storm on christmas eve that knocked out power all over the area (we were without power for 8 or 9 days), literally made trees explode from freezing, and ended up with my entire family sleeping in one bed for warmth. the house was completely electric and had no fireplaces. the next year we bought the farm that I am on now. even though the house is still a disaster from a contractor gone bad, it is a survivable house. when I had kids at home I always had a couple of crates that were kept in the garage with our disaster supplies. in addition to crazy storms, this is also the land of not "if" but "when" the BIG ONE (earthquake) comes, are you prepared? I have rudimentary supplies in place, nothing like when I had kids at home, but now with all of these dire warnings, I'm thinking maybe I need to take inventory and stock up again. how about everyone else? how do you stay prepared?

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desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Being a native of California,....we were always prepared. Earthquakes happen, and when they do....you can't count on running to the local 7-11 for a quart of milk, water lines can be broken, no power, etc. Then we moved to north central Arkansas, and took our 'be prepared' attitude with us. Had the worst ice storm in years the first year we were there.....we were 15 miles out of town, on 20 acres, no one near. EVERYTHING went down. No one was going anywhere, except the poor workers trying to get power back on We had a camp stove, propane heater,oil lanterns, canned food, water, blankets, puzzles and books Melted the snow over the heater to flush the toilet (Water came from electric well which was out) Had a wonderful, comfortable 3 days until power was restored. Many others whined because work didn't progress faster. They were cold, hungry, and their TV didn't work. Here, in the desert, you keep water around.....not much else you can do if the power goes out in the middle of summer....

10-13-2010, 02:13 PM	#5
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	In Hawai`i (O`ahu) we have hurricane and tsunami preparedness kits. Of course on the Big Island, where Grace is they also have to worry about earthquakes and erupting volcanoes. If you are in an inundation zone (water or lava) the only preparedness possible is a full gas tank and a place to go.

10-13-2010, 09:53 PM	#7
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	Does this mean that the polar bears are going to be ok? ------------------------ I am usually always ready. Bring on the cold!!!

10-13-2010, 11:15 PM	#9
SameOldStory My True Self Posts: 3,126 Karma: 66242098 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Trantor, Galactic Center Device: Galaxy Tab 2 7.0	Seriously though, I've kept several levels of emergency preparedness kits stocked. First there is the "get out of town kit". Just what it says. I can walk out, or drive out, in about 5 or 10 minutes. If I don't have that much time, I'm probably going to die anyway. Loss of utilities, whether from storm or other cause is taken care of with bottled water and a power generator. Before I had an ereader I used to worry about the loss of entertainment. Disaster! OK, disaster isn't always that dramatic. Sure, the world may revert back to barbarous times with millions dying. But more often than not "disaster" just means inconvenience. You lose you job or something. For disasters I have about 6 months of food. It's all stuff we eat every day. All bought when on sale and then marked with a purchase date and stored. The oldest dated food is used first and the new purchases are packed away. Done slowly you never miss the money, unlike buying "SURVIVAL RATIONS".

10-14-2010, 01:40 AM	#12
recluse Banned Posts: 3,724 Karma: 535488 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the Mortuary Device: Kindle 2	I always try to stay prepared for weather emergencies. Despite the fact that Hurricane Earl was a dud. The first major nor'easter hits tomorrow and Long Island tends to get slammed pretty hard. I have supplies on hand at all times. Food, water, flashlight, candles, home defense kit. Safe transport for my dog. I know the coastal evacuation routes. Learned my lesson after the big ice storm we had in the '70s. The only thing you really can't prepare for is when everyone around you turns into idiots.

10-14-2010, 01:42 AM	#13
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I guess I'm asking what everyone's preparations are? what do you have/have you done that makes you feel just a little bit better if you are potentially facing day 5 or 6 of not moving from your home (or possibly work)

10-14-2010, 01:51 AM	#14
recluse Banned Posts: 3,724 Karma: 535488 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the Mortuary Device: Kindle 2	Food. Water. Liquor. Candles. Flashlights. The hand crank kind. Lanterns. Ditto. Radio. Home defense kit. Not telling. Books.