Weather Scares Can Serve to Get Better Prepared
By Tom Herrin
Every year about late summer or early fall, it seems that a lot of people sit on pins and needles waiting to see where a particular storm is headed. Many people have good plans and many think they do until it is time to use one. Every family needs to have an emergency plan that is understood by all and practiced on a regular basis. Even those who have been through serious disasters before often assume that the next one couldn’t be any worse than the last. Sadly for some, this is a wrong assumption. People should never place their family’s lives at risk due to a general feeling of comfort.
Have A Plan The Family Can Embrace
The Carolinas have certainly had their share of storms over the years. It seems that recent hurricanes have been increasingly dangerous. Most families probably have some kind of disaster plan, but is it enough? I live more than 200 miles from the coast but have felt the impact of hurricanes. We had a church building that was destroyed by a tornado that spun off of Hurricane Alicia in the early 1980s. We also suffered from a catastrophic flood resulting from heavy rains in 2015. In this flood, the town was cut in half so that it was almost impossible to travel from one side to the other. The hospital and most of the grocery stores were on the other side from us.
Have A Supply of the Basics For At Least Three Days
When supplies are cut off, people need to have some on hand. Everyone should have bottled water, ready-to-eat food, first aid supplies, and copies of important documents. If people can survive for a few days without feeling panic, they will be more likely to be able to make wise decisions about their next step. Keeping these supplies in something portable, such as a five gallon bucket for each person, can allow them to evacuate quickly if needed.
Everyone Should Know Basic Communication Options
Each family member should have numbers of other family members and other reliable contacts. They should be stored somewhere in addition to a cell phone in case these are not able to function. There should also be enough information about good sources of information and safe places to go in a time of crisis.
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