This past year’s weather has shown us some of Mother Nature’s massive and destructive power with devastating hurricanes, dozens of wild fires consuming hundreds of acres forest across the central and western area of the United States and major earthquakes occurring around the world. No one knows what the future holds in store for us but we would be wise to prepare just in case there are more events in the coming months and years. With devastating natural disasters that are happening on and all around our planet, so how do we prepare?

Link to current wildfires

Link to National Hurricane Center map

Link to Current Earthquake map

It’s becoming more important for you and your family to take the responsibility to know what to do and how to prepare when severe weather threatens your property and life. Eventually help will probably come but until that happens, it is up to you to keep yourself, family and property safe and secure.

Sometimes severe weather can strike with little notice, so you need to know what to do during and after a catastrophic weather event. Weather disasters will likely bring power outages, flooding and communication will be difficult, if not impossible.

Not everyone lives or works in a flood zone, tornado, earthquake, wildfire or hurricane area, but if you do, be sure you have on hand the appropriate basic supplies to help you survive. The truth is floods can happen almost anywhere if the conditions are just right. A supply of water, food, medical supplies, flashlights, extra batteries, and access to important documents can set you apart from the others who find bare store shelves when they try to stock up at the last minute.

Start by searching online where you can find detailed lists of what items and supplies are recommended you should keep on hand to deal with a severe weather event. Make your own checklist based on your research that is specific to your location, type of threat, (flooding, wildfire, tornado, earthquake…) and your family’s unique needs. By preparing ahead of time you can be sure everything you will need is readily accessible if a disaster should happen.

Most disaster scenarios have many of the basic preparedness needs in common. This is a link to an earlier series of post where I go into more detail on the common factors.

When preparing for disaster events always remember, if enough notice is given through weather forecasts or warnings, evacuation or “Bugging Out” should always be considered as an option. First, make sure your vehicle(s) are always regularly serviced and maintained to keep them in shape should you have to leave with short notice. Second, have a plan on where to go to in all 4 directions, (unless you live on the coast, then 3 is good), and an idea where you will plan to stay whether that be with friends, relatives, hotel or camp ground until you can safely return home. Third, have your supplies packed and ready to load up and go.

If your location is such that it is likely to have evacuate, you should keep the survival items in a container that’s easy to carry. The clear plastic Rubbermaid style totes with tight fitting lids can be used to store and separate various items and the clear ones allow you to visually verify contents. Label then with food, sleeping gear, eating & cooking supplies, extra clothing, winter clothes, etc. Water should be stored in sturdy containers that won’t break or decompose, don’t use containers like glass bottles or milk cartons. Better storage would be clean plastic 1 or 2 liter soda or juice bottles.

Figure that each person should have available about two quarts of water every day and keep in mind that heat or lots of physical activity might increase that amount. We often take water for granted, and after a catastrophic weather event such as a hurricane or flooding, local drinking water can be contaminated so be prepared to take precautions and have the means to store more water than you think you’ll need.

However, water is heavy and you might not be able to carry enough for everyone’s daily needs. An option for clean water is some sort of water filtration device or system. There are various manufacturers, size capacities and price ranges available so do your research and buy what will meet your family’s needs and what your budget allows you to afford

Store some non-perishable foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Many canned goods can be eaten right out of the can cold like some canned meats, beans, potatoes and other vegetables. While cold, room temperature may not be the tastiest option, it will keep you from getting hungry and weak plus the liquid will meet some of your bodies water needs. Don’t forget a good hand powered can opener. Freeze dried food is another good option, it is light weight and nutritional dense but needs to have hot water added to it to be the best tasting so if you chose this option be sure you have the capability to properly prepare it.

If a weather disaster strikes and effects a major city, (most recently Houston and the Texas Gulf Coastal towns), there will be thousands of refugees that will need food, water and shelter. In this situation you must know how to feed yourself and your family with only the food you have stored or if you evacuated what you were able to can carry. Choose wisely your means to protect your family and property to improve your chances of survival.

Unfortunately there are other things that can cause a threat to the atmosphere, besides Mother Nature. The clear and present threat of a nuclear war from rogue countries such as North Korea or Iran is yet another reason you should be prepared for survival if our world changes for the worst.

If we did happen to be attacked with nuclear weapons, the aftermath will be as devastating as the actual attack. There could be nuclear or extended winters, radioactive fallout and more.

The American Red Cross has preparation tips to get ready if a nuclear event should happen. The world is in chaos now, but not nearly as much as it stands to be in 2018.

If you have not already done so, then Now Is The Time to begin to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best.