Being Prepared

On It · ‎03-15-2021

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.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

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.

ninjawife · ‎11-15-2011

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.

ninjawife · ‎11-15-2011

@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.

lgfan · ‎10-19-2012

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.

On It · ‎03-15-2021

@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.

Roscoe the Rascal · ‎04-19-2016

@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.

rockygems123 · ‎06-04-2012

@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.

JudyL · ‎07-11-2010

@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.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@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.