With recent tragedies in Pacific Rim countries, I've been thinking about emergency preparedness. Living in the West, I learned that most people have a 'Bug Out Bag' (BOB) or 72-hour kit packed and in a handy place. Many people also stock a year's food supply for their family. (See my button for Shelf Reliance for more information on long-term storage products). I saw how being prepared for an emergency, whether to shelter in place or to evacuate, could buy time until an emergency responder can rescue you. I thought of not only earthquake victims, but also of people stranded on freeways for hours waiting for roads to clear and even folks who were stranded for a few hours in the Atlanta bus station because of the snow storm. Some advanced preparedness could make such a situation in your life somewhat easier to bear.
I recommend having not only a bag packed near your door for evacuation, but also having a bag in your car for travel delays. My mom-in-law will be taking the train for a short trip, and I'm encouraging her to take enough food to sustain her in the event there is a long delay somewhere on her route (due to flooding, accident or whatever else might come up). In any case, having a preparedness plan makes sense. There are websites that give good information on what to pack. My brief categories would include hydration, food, medical, sanitation and distractions (book, deck of cards, ipad, mp3).
Continued prayers for those who are suffering. I hope things are better for you soon.
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