While a zombie apocalypse is unlikely, there are plenty of truly frightening natural disaster events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards or earthquakes that are not only plausible, but possible. The idea of being stranded in your own home, potentially without power, food or drink, access to emergency services, or access to stores and gas stations is unfathomable for many people. We are a nation surrounded by endless creature comforts every day, every hour.
These trying times can turn tough fast if you don’t have a plan in place. Preparing for the unexpected can be a comforting endeavor. Ensuring that your family has adequate supplies to get through the period of time following a catastrophic event is a proactive effort well spent.
Devising an emergency plan and stockpiling necessary resources that will see you through several days of limited access to consumer goods, services and mobility may seem unnecessary and radical to some, but think Hurricane Katrina.
Imagine every store, gas station, utility company and even many municipal facilities shut down indefinitely while an entire region recovers from devastating weather consequences. Ask anybody who has “weathered the storm,” and he or she will vouch for the benefits of a back-up plan.
Ready for Operation Preparation? Here’s a good starting point. Keep resources stocked in a safe place where they will remain dry and unaffected should your home be damaged or destroyed. Think about how you can transport these resources should you have to relocate for a period of time or indefinitely. Try to envision every potential obstacle, danger and challenge you may face.
If you live in a region where tornadoes are more likely, plan for that event first, but be prepared for others. Likewise, if you regularly face the threat of hurricanes or blizzards, prepare for those events and then others. If you have small children, elderly family members, family members with disabilities and/or pets, plan specifically for their needs to ensure that you leave no one without essential, life-sustaining needs.