topic Re: Being Prepared in Community Chat

Being Prepared

On It — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:27:33 GMT

With the increasing threat of severe weather and the onset of fire season, I encourage everyone to have a plan of action to seek safety. Prepare a "go bag" even for sheltering in your own home. Talk to family about your plan and let them know where you will be taking shelter or evacuating.

Above all, practice just like the fire drills when you were in school. The brain does not function efficiently when panic sets in. You may have everything ready, but fail to implement the plan

My parents built a home with a tornado proof basement. The contractor said you could drop a locomotive on that basement, and it would only drive it further into the ground. One afternoon a tornado was warned to be headed straight for that house. My mother stood in the main living area clutching her purse. It was a large room with vaulted ceilings. Not a place anyone should be during a tornado. She froze. The tornado was dropping above her home, but touched down a mile away destroying barns and outbuildings. She said she did not think about going to the basement.

Plan and then practice whether it is severe weather or a wildfire.

Re: Being Prepared

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:36:30 GMT

My biggest concern is the failure of the power grid from high winds in my area of Colorado.

Two years ago a blast of 100-mph winds took down one stinkin' tree branch which landed on a power line somewhere and caused a block of houses to loose power for four days in early spring, still very cold here. That was a wakeup call for me and I bought a generator.

Re: Being Prepared

ninjawife — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:42:40 GMT

We just had a tornado rip through the southern part of my state last evening. One person was killed when their house collapsed on them.

In 2013 we had a tornado rip through the neighborhood we were living in. I was at my father's house and my girls who were 16 and 11 were home with the cat. I heard the warning and called them but they had already sought shelter in the basement. The cat beat them down there as she must have sensed that the tornado was coming.

In 2020 we had one come though at our current home. We were at our beach house at the time. It took down a tree in our yard and we did not have power for three days. When we returned from the beach we had a lot of cleaning to do.

Re: Being Prepared

ninjawife — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:44:20 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My biggest concern is the failure of the power grid from high winds in my area of Colorado.

Two years ago a blast of 100-mph winds took down one stinkin' tree branch which landed on a power line somewhere and caused a block of houses to loose power for four days in early spring, still very cold here. That was a wakeup call for me and I bought a generator.

@SilleeMee We also bought a whole house generator after the 2020 tornado. We also had to replace the roof.

Re: Being Prepared

lgfan — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:40:02 GMT

I live in California. I am fortunate that I do not live in a flood prone area or brush fire area. I have lived through some earthquakes but nothing major like buildings collapsing. It is nice to be prepared but I have noticed that when an actual emergency happens all the planning goes out the window because people panic and lose control.

Re: Being Prepared

On It — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:46:42 GMT

@ninjawife I am glad your girls took themselves out of harm's way with the smart cat leading the way. It sounds like you have had close calls. I hope that was the last of them. Stay safe.

Re: Being Prepared

Roscoe the Rascal — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:52:15 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My biggest concern is the failure of the power grid from high winds in my area of Colorado.

Two years ago a blast of 100-mph winds took down one stinkin' tree branch which landed on a power line somewhere and caused a block of houses to loose power for four days in early spring, still very cold here. That was a wakeup call for me and I bought a generator.

We purchased this last year a whole house generator. When we went thru a storm about 3 years back we were without electricity over a week. Lost a freezer full of food and lots more inconveniences as well. Never again. Neighbor had one and living good. Never gave it any thought before that.

We did find a portable generator but had to keep getting gas and did not use all day either. They were also hard to come by. The whole state was a mess. Only good thing summertime and not extremely hot out. Cooked on grill with neighbor who lived alone and ate our meals at patio table. We actually had a good time with all the neighbors helping each other out. Rebuild took awhile and yard now starting to look good again. Had big tree branches and stuff sitting for weeks until city could collect.

Hopefully we never need it but there if we do.

Re: Being Prepared

rockygems123 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:32:39 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My biggest concern is the failure of the power grid from high winds in my area of Colorado.

Two years ago a blast of 100-mph winds took down one stinkin' tree branch which landed on a power line somewhere and caused a block of houses to loose power for four days in early spring, still very cold here. That was a wakeup call for me and I bought a generator.

@SilleeMee. Weather can be so severe and quick here. Our 2nd year in Colorado the temps dropped 40 degrees in 20 minutes. How does that happen! Our 7ft glass patio table imploded and we watched while it happened. Wasn't lifted off the ground just basically blew up. Now wrought iron only.

Are you happy with your generator purchase? So many from which to choose.

Re: Being Prepared

JudyL — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:58:05 GMT

@On It - I agree with being prepared and yesterday was a reminder to me - 3 earthquakes - all 3.2 - within 20 minutes & about 3km from where I live. Growing up in CA, 3.2 earthquakes aren't considered big ones but to have 3 in 20 minutes was unnerving. Was here in 1989 for the 7.1 and was in So Cal for the 1971 earthquake. It's definitely important to be prepared.

Re: Being Prepared

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 15:04:46 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
My biggest concern is the failure of the power grid from high winds in my area of Colorado.

Two years ago a blast of 100-mph winds took down one stinkin' tree branch which landed on a power line somewhere and caused a block of houses to loose power for four days in early spring, still very cold here. That was a wakeup call for me and I bought a generator.
@SilleeMee. Weather can be so severe and quick here. Our 2nd year in Colorado the temps dropped 40 degrees in 20 minutes. How does that happen! Our 7ft glass patio table imploded and we watched while it happened. Wasn't lifted off the ground just basically blew up. Now wrought iron only.

Are you happy with your generator purchase? So many from which to choose.

@rockygems123

I haven't had the (un)fortunate occasion to use it yet. It's still in the box! I really need to have someone help me with getting it out and at least turning the thing on.

Re: Being Prepared

Still Raining — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 15:30:21 GMT

My electric lines are not reliable and I am on a well. Best thing I ever did was to buy a large, propane generator. Once you get over the cost.....

Re: Being Prepared

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 16:44:39 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
My electric lines are not reliable and I am on a well. Best thing I ever did was to buy a large, propane generator. Once you get over the cost.....

My generator runs on gasoline only. I wanted it that way b/c more than once I tried to buy propane for my grill and no one had it within miles from where I live. Gas stations are everywhere so that's why I bought a gasoline generator.

Re: Being Prepared

Still Raining — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:42:30 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@Still Raining wrote:
My electric lines are not reliable and I am on a well. Best thing I ever did was to buy a large, propane generator. Once you get over the cost.....

My generator runs on gasoline only. I wanted it that way b/c more than once I tried to buy propane for my grill and no one had it within miles from where I live. Gas stations are everywhere so that's why I bought a gasoline generator.

I got a 500 gal above ground tank. I just have to call about twice a year and a big truck comes. I am so far out that we are last in line for restoration of service. Finally decided to just go big.

Re: Being Prepared

Snowpuppy — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:45:55 GMT

Keep in mind if power goes out your gas station may not be pumping gas, either. Whether getting gas for a portable generator or bugging out and filling your gas tank.

Have some cash on hand. There were times the closest gas stations to me lost satellite connections and accepted cash only. No plastic.

Re: Being Prepared

haddon9 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 17:57:12 GMT

@On It wrote:
With the increasing threat of severe weather and the onset of fire season, I encourage everyone to have a plan of action to seek safety. Prepare a "go bag" even for sheltering in your own home. Talk to family about your plan and let them know where you will be taking shelter or evacuating.

Above all, practice just like the fire drills when you were in school. The brain does not function efficiently when panic sets in. You may have everything ready, but fail to implement the plan

My parents built a home with a tornado proof basement. The contractor said you could drop a locomotive on that basement, and it would only drive it further into the ground. One afternoon a tornado was warned to be headed straight for that house. My mother stood in the main living area clutching her purse. It was a large room with vaulted ceilings. Not a place anyone should be during a tornado. She froze. The tornado was dropping above her home, but touched down a mile away destroying barns and outbuildings. She said she did not think about going to the basement.

Plan and then practice whether it is severe weather or a wildfire.

@On It Oh my gosh why didn't your mother go to the basement?!! Even after adding the special tornado proof features? Than goodness everything turned out okay!

I guess we often think silly things or freeze. As a matter of fact, I have been sick in bed with a bad cold the last couple of days. Well last night I got a sudden emergency alarm on my phone telling me that there was a tornado warning & watch in my area.

This is extremely rare in the Philly, NJ area! I went down to the basement with only my phone (DH was already down there) thinking if something awful should happen to the house and everything were gone (like those poor people in the Mid-West & South) I would look like such a mess! I had not taken a shower, was wearing old PJs and would probably stink if I didn't get a chance to clean up properly. Of course this is only a silly thought but true...only the reality would be so much worse!

I think an organized go bag is an excellent idea to have on hand!

Re: Being Prepared

Desert Lily — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 18:23:10 GMT

When I was first married and lived in the upper midwest, we had a tornado warning. We lived in a new house on an acre lot. I could hear a train engine sound & ran to the basement. My husband stayed upstairs opening windows, thinking that would save the house.

I yelled at him to come to the basement, but he said he wanted to see it. The tornado touch started damaging near the back end of our lot at an angle. He watched the back fence get pulled up. The tornado was moving away from our direction, took the roof off the garage of a house behind us, and then went on to wreck a house further down the road. More damage was done further away.

I was upset with my husband for staying upstairs. His answer was, "If we were in the basement and the tornado hit our house, how would we get out of the basement with the house caved in on it?"

I didn't know how to answer him.

Re: Being Prepared

Kalli — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 18:32:51 GMT

Ever since I was young, I've always been afraid of tornadoes. We live in PA. Due to the rolling hills, it's not a likely occurance although we have had severe downdrafts in our area a few times.

After all the news segments this week about tornadoes, I had a nightmare last night about a string of tornadoes destroying our house. Ugh. I'm in my 60s now so it's weird that this continues to be a recurring fear of mine.

Re: Being Prepared

On It — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:43:52 GMT

@haddon9 She froze because she did not have going to the basement in her long term memory. She had not practiced or even placed essential supplies down there. It was a beautiful room with a couch, chairs, and a TV. She could easily have gone down there just to relax and train herself to go there.

Short term memory and decision making do not serve us well when in panic mode.

Re: Being Prepared

Pezzie — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 22:42:40 GMT

@On It Words to live by! Timely reminder for all.

Re: Being Prepared

haddon9 — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 23:20:28 GMT

@On It Oh boy...I am sorry to hear that. It does sound like a nice basement.

We just have a regular basement which is finished. I do like the idea of having supplies in the basement and a go bag ready to bring for emergencies.

I was not exactly ready last night with the tornado watch when I dragged myself & phone downstairs. I should have a go bag.

Ten years ago the house across the street from us burned down. It took what seemed like minutes!

It happened around 10pm and the couple who were in their early 60s got out in time. She had been getting ready for bed but was able to grab a pair of jeans, her handbag with keys, wallet & phone. With the house in flames they thought it was prudent to move the cars out of the driveway so they wouldn't explode.

The house and everything in it was gone which is another example of having a plan or go bag.