Prepare your emergency kit NOW

[uppityperson]

In light of the recent tornadoes across the mid/south/east part of the USA, and the fires elsewhere, and the landslides floods earthquakes winds snow etc etc etc, remember that no matter what mrbush promises, no matter how many times he visits a disaster area (or doesn't), no matter what he promises, you will be on your own.

Yes, some help from outside will arrive eventually. Sometimes sooner than others. And yes, some gvt help will be available to help, sometimes more than others. But get a kit together NOW. Keep it updated. Talk with friends, neighbors, workmates, schoolmates, whomever and wherever you are around on a regular basis and have a plan (even a minor one) in place because things happen.

And you will be on your own.

Put basic food, water, medicine in a bucket or container in your car and have 1 at home. A full pantry won't help if you are unable to get to it. Pet food, some cash, and a pair of socks and shoes since you may have to walk, and debris can be nasty to walk through.

And help each other.

End of today's public service message. My condolences to those affected by the tornadoes and best wishes that you get up and going soon, can find some peace.

Edited to add some.

[xultar]

1. DON'T FORGET YOUR PETS!!!!

[gateley]

3. Amen! Thanks! nt

[uppityperson]

7. By food/water I meant for pets too, didn't state, Thanks for adding that directly.

[xultar]

9. I know you meant them too. But sometimes people forget. I have 2 cats and 5 Chihuahuas

I have to be prepared. I am better prepared for them than myself.

[roguevalley]

18. damn, xultar, start a thread and post pictures of your chihuahuas.

My great-aunt raised them and I LOVE chihuahuas.

[xultar]

21. I may just do that. I'll PM you when I do.

[roguevalley]

25. excellent. I lloooooooovvveee chihuahuas. :-D

[AndyA]

13. Yes, folks this is a very good point.

Your pets DEPEND on YOU. Do not desert them, they cannot fend for themselves for long periods of time. They will be scared, upset, and worried just like their human family will be.

PLEASE take your pets with you if you must leave, they are almost always better off with you rather than left behind alone and in the dark.

[Horse with no Name]

20. We had a 500 year flood in the early 80's

and were evacuated from our flooding home in the middle of the night.
It was a sight to behold with me and a dog on a leash, a cat and a rabbit in a carrier. My mother-in-law and husband were there too as we were walking through waist-deep water and were almost swept away.
We all made it safely--but if it had come to down to it--I would have hated to let my mother-in-law go...;)

[Virginia Dare]

23. My county actually used some of our FEMA/DHS money to create..

emergency pet shelters. I'm so thankful for this. There is no way I'm leaving my critters behind. I'd stay there and die first.

[gateley]

2. K&R - Thanks! nt

[NightWatcher]

4. Dont plan on outside help. Have a very good kit at home and a plan in case you leave

We al should have a 'hurricane/earthquake/flood/disaster kit'. We are all susceptable to an emergency. Let FEMA show you that you can only count on yourself when it matters.

[RubyDuby in GA]

5. Don't forget cold hard cash

If you are putting together something to grab and go, if able, stuff a little bit of cash in there to have on hand.

[uppityperson]

8. Cash too is good. Power and phone may be out (no access to debit/credit)

and even if they are not, sometimes they just don't work. And a pair of socks and some sort of shoes as these are important to have during disasters.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Our county judge told us in 2005

when there was the concern about bird flu, that if we were hit with an epidemic (or any form of disaster), we probably wouldn't have help for about 2 weeks if the disaster was widespread. Your list is great--especially the last line. Community is our strength.

[Mojorabbit]

10. If we have a pandemic

it will be a lot longer than two weeks before any help comes. :)

[Missy Vixen]

11. The people of Washington State got a fairly indelible lesson here

Last year? Cat 3 hurricane -- oops, windstorm, that knocked out power for a week in Western Washington.

This year? Flooding in Southeast Washington that was so catastrophic the Seattle Times printed recently it will take two to five YEARS for those in the flood zone to "recover".

This isn't a dress rehearsal. The only thing that kept my husband and I going during the power outage was a well-stocked pantry (and the fact we were smart enough to put in a gas fireplace/gas stove/gas hot water heater when the house was built.) If people aren't making even rudimentary preparation for another disaster, they're nuts.

You're right -- we are alone, especially those in blue states.

Julie

[Lebam in LA]

12. Cash is a MUST have

Living in California, I am prepared. Food and water for 2 weeks, portable TV, shower and cook stove and several hundred in cash, just incase. You can never be too prepared anywhere.

Everyone in tornado country be safe and my thoughts are with you all.

[sweetpotato]

14. I have a question

How do I put prescription meds in a survival kit when the drugstore will not fill a prescription unless insurance says its time.

I have tried to get meds early - so I'd have enough to last through a vacation, but the drugstore REALLY didn't want to fill my prescription unless it would be covered that day.

Makes no sense to me - they didn't want to fill it even though I was ready to pay the full price in cash.

[uppityperson]

16. Depends on the meds and drugstore.

Can you put a weeks worth in? Get your refill a week earlier next time and let them know why? Sounds like either they type of med or drugstore has issues.

[slackmaster]

26. That's what firearms are for

If they won't fill your scrips, you just might have to take what you need.

:sarcasm:

That one really frosts my ass too. They should be able to give you six months worth of maintenance meds.

[AngryAmish]

15. no

[uppityperson]

17. "no"?

[AngryAmish]

19. I don't want to

[uppityperson]

22. Well then, don't.

I'd rather have a kit than not, but if you don't want one, don't. Good luck in case of disaster.

[Virginia Dare]

24. I've had one since 9/11...

you just never know.