Disaster planning

[EFerrari]

Is anyone putting together a family disaster plan and supplies? We had to, as we're on the beach and near the San Andreas.

It cost about $500 to get everything we need to evac or to shelter for two weeks with cats and a dog. But, I sure am sleeping better. FEMA can go jump in the Bay. :)

My next step is to call a 'hood meeting, and help our neighbors plan and supply themselves, too. It could make the difference to the elderly and to single parents and so on.

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. I've been planning to

But I think I have an irrational fear that planning for it will make it happen...same reason I haven't done my will yet. I'd better get over it and just do it.

[EFerrari]

5. That's funny because I had the opposite fear -- not planning

will make it happen.

It took me about three weeks and my livingroom looks like a triage center but my musculature relaxes every time I look at all that water!

[opihimoimoi]

2. The Village Concept is the best answer for sm towns...everyone helps

[EFerrari]

6. I'm not familiar with the idea -- but there are two or three of us

in our hood that try to nudge people and get to know them and so on. We're on great terms with the local PD and they've been very helpful in lots of ways in improving the quality of life here in our little corner of the beach.

[opihimoimoi]

9. What Level do you wish? Meaning....What kind of disaster and for how long

before help is expected to arrive....

The Mormons usually have a years supply of water and food. Not sure about toilet paper....or other stuphs like gas/oil for the generator, first aid kits, etc.

The Mormons start with family as you did...now you branch out to others to ease the load. Soon others will see the wisdom and join until you have a small group...

Someday, a whole town might come together... store their stuffs in a comm warehouse, use the Fire Dept to manage/disperse. it can and should be implemented cause this Nation/World is at risk due to Humanity and the abuse of the environment. Our entire system as we know it is at risk due to the fragile position now in place.

Bush has been no help as he exasperates the status quo

[EFerrari]

10. Well, at the momnt, I'm thinking about a five block radius from my

house -- that's about as far as our little circle of influence goes.

Just want to try to find out who has mobility problems, who would need a hand during an evac, that kind of thing.

I'm a very firm believer in teamwork and since we're in both tsumani and earthquake zones, we better get cracking. :)

[opihimoimoi]

11. Distance and elevation from seashore? where? odds?

[EFerrari]

12. Our area is right at sea level. We live about the equivalent of

two city blocks from the shoreline. So, that's a known. We'd all have to run up hill about five or six blocks to be safe. There are maps that show this.

Last time there was a tsunami warning here (maybe in June), the city forgot to check their fax machine, so we officially got 15 minutes of warning. I had an hour and a half because I was, you guessed it, reading DU.

It's going to happen, either tsunami or earthquake. Not an if but a when.

No one has room here to store a year's worth of anything. But a couple of weeks of supplies + some for your neighbors is manageable.

[opihimoimoi]

13. I too, am at sealevel and susceptable to tsunamis. I know the concern.

If car/truck is available: Prepare small amount of boxes/bags with blankets, first aid stuphs, money, the families quick get a way box which contains pictures, heirlooms, pass ports, deeds, insurance, etc, extra clothes, and anything else you can think of..in time of evac, load and book.

If w.o car, grab your family box, money, kids, pets, and run like hell.

Unless its a mega wave..tsunamis are relatively minor...sometimes a few thou gets killed....a mega wave will take out millions....

Good luck....opi

[pelagius]

16. My uncle says his disaster plan is to stock up...

...guns and ammunition and shoot the nearest Mormon family and take their supplies. He's joking, I think.

[caligirl]

3. Me too. I am on the hayward fault, wishing I were on the beeach, but

I'm not sure where to store stuff and how to store the water. Like do they have big drums for that or will it be many gallon sized plastic containers? Thinking of a COleman stove and tent too. I hate camping but I'd have to do it in this case. Planning on dry and canned dog food for our dog who gets a BARF diet. Another thing is I have to store insulin in a place to keep it cold. So I am leaning toward a generator but an electrician would have to hook it up. I was thinking 500- 1000 for everything.

[EFerrari]

4. Stocking meds is a great idea.

I asked for a 2 week supply and our docs have been wonderful -- even though hubby takes two controlled substances.

From generators, I'm not knowing. I've changed out fixtures and once installed a small circuit. Is there a good place for the generator impaired to go learn? :hi:

[cally]

7. I just got earthquake supplies ready

I've stored water for years. I bought the containers over the years so I now have enough. I went to the Earthquake supply store and bought dried food bars. Each bar is about 3500 calories or enough for two days. I bought a cardboard box toilet with bags and water purification drops. I feel better knowing I finally have supplies.

About two weeks ago, we were ordered to evacuate. I was completely unprepared even though I thought I was. I couldn't find the dog's leash or the cat's container. I hadn't thought about what to bring at all. Both my teens walked out without shoes or their purse (their teens) and I realized we hadn't discussed who would grab which animal or go in which car. We ended up taking so much time gathering the animals and each other that we left with nothing else. Luckily, the fire was far away and we returned quickly.

I urge all to discuss this with your families. We decided that I would take the dog and my eldest grab the cat. My youngest who does not drive must tell me if she leaves with her sister so I don't go back in looking for her. All should try to leave with a coat, shoes, purse, and cell phones. I haven't put aside important papers in an easily accessible place but I plan to do this. Our earthquake supplies are in two duffel bags that will be easy to grab on our way out the door.

We also got supplies for our small business since we may end up stuck at work. I feel better now.

Here's a link to the earthquake store. You can order just the food bars:

http://www.earthquakesupplycenter.com/

[EFerrari]

8. I just bought carriers to hold our 7 cats and a hand truck and

bungee cords. And have put pouches of food in our "go" backpacks.

We're going to drill getting the furr balls into the carriers and onto the hand truck, pulling on our packs and leashing our old dog. I swear, I'm not losing ONE SINGLE ANIMAL in the next one. We've been lucky so far but it's just not responsible to count on luck.

My last step (thanks for the reminder!) is to duplicate important papers and put them somewhere safe. It's going to be a royal PAIN because that means book manuscripts as well as id. But, we'll get it done.

So glad you were able to go back home so quickly.

[R.I.Publicanism]

14. im not worried

.

[Coastie for Truth]

15. After Katrina and the Piedmont CA "Mini Quakes"

I got the whole extended family to enroll in their local "CERT" Programs.

I got everybody to read the study guide.
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We at least collected the supplies that the Red Cross and "CERT" recommend, backed up the hard drives onto DVD's, put all medical records, insurance papers, etc., in a bag colocated with the DVD's and the cat carrier.

Bought a CCrane wind up/solar radio, and lots of batteries.

We are walking distance of the Hayward Fault.