I will be presenting a series of blogs with information and planning advice that could very well appeal to you. Thereby, allowing you to see the bigger picture about what could very well be coming down the pike, so to speak.
I welcome all constructive feedback and questions. After all, this is about our helping each other to discover what we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Please feel free to ask . All legitimate inquiries will be addressed to the best of my abilities.
IF there were a disaster in your area tomorrow would you be prepared to take care of yourself and your family with the skills and supplies you presently have in your home?
I do not by any stretch of the imagination consider myself an alarmist , a doomsday-er, an end of the world-er or any other labels there may exist out there and I am sure there are plenty. What I am is a single mom who lived in Florida for 25 years and am well acquainted with what happens to people when they are not prepared for a disaster. Now you would think that in a state that is known for hurricanes people would understand that it is not silly to prepare before hurricane season is upon them. We were without electricity for 3 weeks after hurricane Andrew, 2 weeks after hurricane Katrina and another 3 weeks after hurricane Wilma. On a limited income , how well do you think I would have been able to feed my family if I had not prepared and had to depend on buying our food from restaurants kept running with generators?
Another thing people fail to understand is this: Hurricanes can be predicted to a certain degree. They follow tropical storms until it shows signs of strengthening, as they are slow moving time is on our side. Even their trajectory can be planned out to a certain degree. Their estimated arrival can also be tracked. Do you really believe a tsunami, monster tornado or an earthquake can be tracked and predicted to that extent? So without warning how much time do you have to prepare? Do you believe these natural disasters can’t disrupt our utilities and transport for longer than 3 weeks? The reality of the matter is quite the contrary. The single most intelligent thing that anyone can do is to prepare. When that hurricane is announced and it’s arrival date is made public then the panic sets in; When that earthquake hits or that tornado has passed. People rush to the supermarkets. Those who get there first will be able to find all they need. However, the ones who came a bit later or those who did not prepare in advance will find empty shelves. How much advance notice does the public receive for an earthquake, tornado or tsunami? You see where I am going with this? Did you know that all supermarkets across the US have about of 3 to 4 days worth of supplies on location? Without transport from regional warehouses they have only what is on the shelves and in their backroom storage. Now without water, bread, batteries, canned goods, etc. in the supermarket what will you do?
No one can deny that we are headed for hard times with the economy the way it is. It’s not like I am presenting an unheard of scenario. How many have lost their jobs and ended up homeless? How many people are one paycheck away from ending up on the streets? We have all read about the great depression and I dare say we all understand that it occurred right here at home and not some far off land. The hardships, the hunger, and the total despair of those who lived that era of our Nation’s history.
As our society continues on the road of development and modernization technology progresses and the chains of interdependency become more ingrained within us. Our food, our clothing all the comforts we use on a daily basis require transport either from other states far away or other countries. Through the web of globalization we have gone from a country of production and manufacture to one of consumption. The truth is that very little is now made here in the US. Therefore it stands to reason that if something happens and these modes of transport are interrupted for any reason so will the availability of these products. This is not me being an alarmist. Quite the contrary it is necessary for us to be realists and see things logically. Think about it . Where do your fruit , your vegetables, your clothing , etc. come from? I encourage you to start taking a good look at the labels and you will see the truth of my words. All it would take to disrupt the transport that connects us to our daily essential products is an interruption in the availability of fuel or the destruction of main highways and streets. Impossible you say? Look around you. How many freak storms and weather phenomenon have you read about in the newspaper or seen on the news? Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, nuclear plant accidents, tsunamis not to mention freak waves. Granted many of these monster storms and earthquakes have occurred in other countries. Is it so crazy to consider that it could also happen here in the US? Starting to get the picture?
Dealing With Reality
Human Nature – What are people capable of: In Florida during the onset of a hurricane it could very easily be seen who the dangerous people would be just by the way they would push people aside and fight with someone for the last bottle of water on the shelf. I know the answer to this question but I would like to ask you. Do you know what your neighbor is capable of when a devastating panic comes into play and there is no food to be had? Just take a look at what happens during a Black Friday Sale. We have all seen the videos, the news paper articles or the tv/radio broadcasts of people hurting each other and fighting over products that are on sale and they just have to have. Imagine what these people would be like in a life or death situation where there is no food or water available. Big cities will be worse due to the high concentration of people and the lack of resources once transport is interrupted for any reason.
Be Practical: Understand the risks you take by not preparing properly. Take measures to protect yourself and your family. Stock up on food and supplies to make sure that all are assured of food water and first aid when they need them. Think about family members who have not prepared. What will happen when they have no food or water? Will you be able to share what you have to insure that they too are taken care of? What about your neighbor or that little old lady across the street who has no one? What about if you or your significant other lose your job. Do you realize that having a back up food supply could help tide you over until things get better?
Will you be ready to defend yourself and your family? Just look at what happens during a black out in NYC or a riot in LA. Learn that in moments of great turmoil some people resort to violence. It is a proven fact not my own wild imaginings. Think about it. Not everyone is willing to go out and buy a gun. However, safety and the protection of your family is of the utmost importance. What will you do in a moment such as this and how will you protect them? I leave the details to your imagination and your conscience. As the saying goes, ”An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” No truer words have ever been spoken.
Alone vs. a group: The old adage says clearly that there is strength in numbers. Effective security means having at least two families to provide security at all times. This can include close neighbors, family and friends. However, one must take into account that for every individual added there will be another mouth to feed. Effectively adding people to ones group calls for adequate supplies and resources. The amounts having a direct bearing on the amount of people the group can sustain.
The enormity of getting a family prepared can be overwhelming. Take a moment to ponder the fact that most people are not even considering the need to prepare . That already puts you ahead of the curve. Financial issues are another worry. My recommendation is start out slow. Whenever you go shopping buy a few extra items that will be designated to the food supply. A few cans here a couple of bags there and in a few weeks you will start to see your supply grow. One step at a time is the best way to insure success.
Take a good long look at your pantry , be totally honest with yourself . Will you and your family survive with what you have there if you are without a working infrastructure for 3 weeks or more, like we did in Florida after hurricane Andrew?
Let’s start by making a practical list of the essentials we will be needing in case of an emergency such as the ones I have mentioned. On my next blog I will be starting the lists and the pertinent information I have to give on each subject.
See you next time………
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