If a disaster were to strike today would you be prepared?

Quicksilver · #1 10-12-2006, 01:14 PM

In California we are always asked to be prepared for earthquakes.
You folks who live in others areas have other issues to contend with.
And now there’s terrorism.

Here’s a question for you. If a disaster were to strike today would you be prepared?
Would your family be prepared? Would you know what to do?

How you answer could mean your survival and the survival of your family.

There is nothing like being prepared. So let today be the day you give this some serious consideration.

http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

http://www.quakekare.com/survival_kit_skbp4d.html
http://www.quakekare.com/index.asp?P...WPROD&ProdID=9
http://www.quakekare.com/index.asp?P...ATS&Category=3

B-Line · #2 10-12-2006, 04:10 PM

Your thoughts are in the right place.

We have recently started to put together a "kit" in the event the big one hits. After all, they say a class 8 earthquake happens every 100 years in SoCal and we have not had one in 150 years. It's coming people !!!

My thoughts are, there will be a lot of destruction. Nothing apocolyptic or like what happens in 3rd world countries when they have much smaller earthquakes (we have lots of building codes and such).. But certain parts of SoCal will be disaster areas.

I think the main issues will be the roads and public works. Power Outages, bridges out, gas lines, etc. So, no water, power, etc. I don't think there will be HUGE losses of life but there will certainley be some tragic deaths.

I think all those houses on stilts in the hills, I actually think they will be OK. The real danger will be in those areas where the earth opens up and things fall in.

So, we have a plan, sort of. Everyone in my immediate family is to meet at my house. We have water, flashlights, food, etc. Then we plan to leave the city ASAP and not come back until things settle, assuming of course that we can get out somehow.

We also plan on using text messaging to get a hold of one another. Often when phone lines or cell phones are inop because of heavy traffic, text messaging still works, if not immediately, eventually.

My Fiancee works across town and I'm always afraid we will be seperated when it hits. She knows to go to a friends house that is 1/2 way between her work and our home until we can touch base with one another. She can probably walk to his place but our place will be too far. The main thing you have to be careful of, is she coming to look for me and me going to look for her. I've told her, should something happen, I will not venture out. I will wait at the house for her but she should not try to get home immediately. She should stay with our friend until she gets a hold of me. Then we can figure out a way to hook back up, safely.

btw, another thing I would add to the list. Might not be such a horrible idea to have a little protection on you. And I'm not talking about a condom.

B

BMW X5 · #3 10-12-2006, 04:13 PM

well this is a morbid thought

Quicksilver · #4 10-12-2006, 04:31 PM

As morbid as getting caught without being prepared? Now days preparation is a fact of life. That's why you buy life insurance, auto insurance, ect. The way the world is today one has to exercise a course of wisdom. I do find it curious that a thread like this gets so little attention especially in view of it's importance. (excuse my typing skills on the Treo 700p) Doing this at lunch on the waterfront)

QUOTE=BMW X5]well this is a morbid thought[/QUOTE]

noncom23 · #5 10-12-2006, 04:40 PM

No I would not be ready.

bjo · #6 10-12-2006, 04:56 PM

I just stockpile ammo so I can defend my wife and myself.

Quicksilver · #7 10-12-2006, 06:05 PM

Yeah baby:

Thats the way to help your neighbors.

Go now and render an unplanned act of kindness as soon as you can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjo

I just stockpile ammo so I can defend my wife and myself.

Aleko · #8 10-12-2006, 05:17 PM

Being prepared is very important, both mentally and physically, and planning ahead will put you ahead of the game. Most people will wait until they know something is coming, and will then hit the stores and start buying up water, snacks, and other supplies. There may not even be enough time for that.

Both my wife and I have small BOBs (bug out bags) in our cars with the most important stuff - flashlight, spare batteries, a couple of glow sticks, matches, knife, multi-tool, Band-Aids, antibacterial cream, baby wipes, painkillers, etc. Mine also has Kahr PM9 in it with a couple of spare magazines. These bags are actually more of a "get-me-back-home" bags. We use Camelbaks, so they also have built-in bladders for fresh water. At home we have a large BOB that is an improved "version" of the above, with a lot more supplies in there - a good fixed blade, walkie-talkies, radio, spare batteries for everything, baby supplies (wipes, diapers, formula, etc.), 3-day supply of MREs for each of us, water filters, a couple of blankets, compass, first aid kit, a few hundred $ in small bills, a sealed pouch with copies of our passports, DLs, SS cards and other important documents, Glock 17 with several spare magazines, and some other stuff that I'm forgetting right now. That's the bag that will be the first thing to grab if we have to leave in a hurry. If we have to bunker-in for something like Katrina (and if there wasn't enough time to leave), there is at least 2-3 weeks supply of bottled water, canned food, sealed snacks, etc. Oh, and plenty of ammo, too, in case those less prepared decide to help themselves with my supplies.