In most parts of our United States, winter comes about the same time every year and brings freezing temperatures for some period of time.  Some years are more severe than others and we who live in states that see it every year have grown accustomed to the challenges that winter brings. 

But those poor folks in Atlanta and the southern parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida regions, how could they have known and avoided the fiasco that’s unfolded on our TV screens over the last couple of days.

For one thing it’s clear that none of our elected and appointed government officials are going to get it right every time when it comes to mother nature. Looks like the national weather service made good predictions so it should not have been a surprise. But then that “Normalcy Bias” thing kicks in with most people and they figure shouldn’t be any big deal or cause me to change my routine.

Seems that the state and city officials in charge down south Louisiana got it right for the most part and shut down schools and told everyone to stay home and basically closed things down before worst of the weather hit. Guess that those experiences with hurricanes might have taught them to error on the side of preemptive reacting rather than waiting to see what happens.

So what happened in Georgia? No doubt there will be lot’s of questions asked and blame laid all over the place for months to come and will make for good TV drama on the 24/7 cable news channels.

The reality is that each of us is responsible for our actions or in-actions wherever we go.  If I lived and worked in the Atlanta area, honestly, I can see myself stuck in the Atlanta traffic just like so many others were. For so many who have a JOB and an employer, to make the call into their work and say I’m not coming in today, will cost them both in money & attendance points. The responsibilities and pressure of being a provider for your family and a reliable employee can complicate a decision to stay or go.

What’s in your car right now that would have helped you if you were in stuck in an Atlanta type situation? Cell phone, most likely, but do you have a car charger for it? GPS is a great thing to have, if you know how to re-route. Local map would be a better option, no batteries to keep charged. May even a basic compass. How about bottled water and a few snacks like jerky, M&M’s or peanuts.

Do you have AAA or another auto club membership you could call for assistance. Would not do much good in Atlanta this week but if you’re not in an area wide event it could get you out of trouble. 

I’m fortunate to live in middle Tennessee and in my prior job; I traveled quite a lot by car through my region of responsibility. A trip to New Orleans one week, Charlotte another, and Chicago the next were relatively easy day drives. 

I always kept in my car, (and still do), a get home bag that is basically a slightly modified pack that I would take on a back packing trip if I was headed out for a week of hiking and camping in the woods.

But since my travels could take me as far north as Chicago or as far west as Omaha, I had an addition car kit stocked with items just in case I ran into extremely cold weather conditions. 

Here is a run down of the kit:

For warmth I keep a complete military surplus ECW sleeping system. It is the 4-piece Extreme Cold Weather sleep system our soldiers use in the field that includes a Gortex Bivy.

1-quart paint can for heat.  Here is a You Tube video to explain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zM5TdmG-uc

Heavy Coat, hiking boots with socks, knit hat and a set of good gloves just in case I had to walk for help.

10 lb of salt for melting ice & a small bag of Play sand for traction

3 cell Mag light and spare batteries

Small headlamp with extra batteries

Jumper cables

Leather work gloves

Tire plug kit

DC powered air compressor

Spare tire in a can

20’ Tow Strap with hooks

Set of tire chains

10 bottles of water and 4 MRE kept in a soft-sided icebox cooler to protect from temperature changes from being stored in the truck

Roll of duct tape

2 Large black trash bags.

Pair of oversize coveralls

400-watt inverter

Shop rags

Bag of mechanics hand tools.

There are lots more that could be added so feel free to comment below on what’s in your car.

As a prepper, if it is one of the “Not Likely to Happen” at my location scenarios or “Low Probability” events we prepare for, than that particular type of preparations are on low priority list and other preps take our focus, time and money first.

In my case due to the areas I traveled to it seemed like a good idea to have them along for the ride, just in case.

Please check out our website at www.TnTacticalSupply.com where we have great prices on flashlights, first aid kits and freeze dried food if you need to finish outfitting your car or bag.