Paxety Pages

I've got a little experience in this. I worked in the news business for many years and had to prepare for a number of potential disasters, from Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Andrew, to winter storms in the North Carolina mountains, to the contamination of the entire water supply in Washington, N.C.  There's a lot you can do to help yourself - it simply takes a little planning.  It's a lot like having a plan for escape in case your house catches on fire.

First, know what kind of disaster is likely to strike where you live. Here in Florida, it's hurricanes. In other places, it may be tornadoes, winter storms, ice storms, etc. Know what the likely dangers are to you where you live. For instance, I live in Jacksonville Beach - only a couple of blocks from the Atlantic. So, I have to worry about a hurricane blowing in from the Atlantic, right? Wrong. We haven't been hit by an Atlantic hurricane since Dora in 1964. Far more likely is a hurricane that goes into the Gulf of Mexico, turns northeast, and travels across the state. We had four, plus a tropical storm, that did that in 2004. I know that the most likely damage I'll face is wind and rain. So, I prepare for that.

At the same time, there's still the chance that an Atlantic hurricane will blow ashore here. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd threatened the entire Southeastern coast. As it approached Jacksonville, it was a category 5 hurricane. I filled my car with gas, packed my stuff, and when the mayor ordered an evacuation, I got out. Why? An Atlantic hurricane would bring a storm surge - something I could not deal with in any way but avoidance.

Here's what you need to do. Based on your research, you need to have two plans - one, to get out if necessary. The other is to convert your home into a shelter. If your home can physically withstand the effects of the disaster itself, you'll be much better off if you can stay at home and avoid the public shelters. You want to plan to survive without any public utilities for a while. Plan on food and water for a week. You should be able to get help within that period of time.

Get a large plastic cooler - one on wheels will probably be more convenient. Inside pack a good first aid kit, a small camp stove that burns those small tanks of propane, a pot to cook in, flashlights and batteries, and a mechanical (not electric) can opener.  Buy canned food that can be easily cooked or eaten directly from the can. You'll need water, too. The experts say a gallon per day per person.  One way to have water available is to take quart freezer bags, fill them with tap water and put them in your freezer.  You can remove the bags and thaw them if necessary, but if not necessary, they will help preserve the food in your freezer. Get some water purification tablets, too - just in case. Also get a big bottle of chlorine bleach and some sponges. You may need to clean and sterilize something.

You'll need cash.  I'd recommend small bills and lots of change. You may find the only food available is vending machines, and if a store is open, it may be low on change.

For communications, you may find that your cell phone won't work. If the power is off, a lot of regular phones won't work, either. But telephone lines are very dependable - they will frequently work if you can get the phone itself to work. So, get at least one plain, old ordinary telephone that connects only to the telephone line. There are lots of perfectly good old Western Electric telephones at thrift stores, and there are new phones available that require no power.  They are powered from the telephone line itself. Also get a long cord.  If you have to leave home, take the phone with you - you may find a place to hook it up.

Before a disaster strikes, designate one person who lives outside your area as the contact person.  Be sure everyone in the family, including the children, knows how to contact that person. If the family gets separated, that may be the only link to get back together.

You'll need to know what's going on in the outside world.  Radio is your best choice. Many local TV stations don't have a way to stay on the air if the power goes out - generators for that much power are simply too expensive.  Radio stations are much more likely to stay on the air. Get a good battery operated radio and plenty of batteries.  Or you could get a Freeplay Radio - it runs on solar power and in internal generator you crank up.

While I said to avoid the public shelters if you can, you need to know where they are. If the effects of the disaster are long lasting, the public shelters are probably the places you can go to get additional food and water. Find out where organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local churches will offer aid if disaster strikes.

Another thing that New Orleans has shown us, as did Miami following Hurricane Andrew, is that natural disasters bring out the worst in the worst people. It's up to you to protect your family.  The government can't do it. Get a gun and learn to use it. I'd say get a shotgun rather than a pistol.  It will be visually more threatening to a looter reducing the chance you'd actually have to pull the trigger. And if you do have to fire it, you have a better chance of hitting your target.  I'll emphasize again - learn to use it. And be sure your children understand gun safety, too. The NRA has the Eddie Eagle program which has a good reputation.

So, sit down today and plan what you'll do if a disaster strikes. The best advice is the Boy Scout motto - "Be Prepared." And send some money to your favorite charity helping out those folks hurt by Katrina.  I'm recommending The Salvation Army.