Planning for Disaster

chessylady · ‎05-01-2010

I am concerned about water availability if the local facility is down or sabataged. I ordered a gravity fed water purifier with a bag, water purification tablets and emergency candles. I am also stocking up with food at Costo. I need to make a list because time is short.

Italian gal · ‎10-17-2019

It is good to be prepared for anything.

nambee · ‎05-08-2022

It's always good to be prepared. I do not live in an area prone to flooding, wildfires, etc. but things are changing so you never know.

Availability of potable water is crucial. I live in an area with old infrastructure and have woken up many a morning in the past few years with an alert from our town that water mains are broken and being repaired and no water available. We were also notified that our water exceeded the PFAS limits 2 years ago and they have taken us off the affected system while they remediate the situation but it is a concern that it could happen again.

So, I have purchased a counter top reverse osmosis water purifier so that I know my water is safe to drink. I have also stocked up on enough bottled water to get me through a month of water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, if necessary.

I always have a stock of canned and shelf stable food that would tide me over for awhile.

In addition, I have a "go" bag packed w/ necessities. I also have all my important papers together with a summary file of all my info on medical, insurance, bank accounts, etc. which I can easily grab and go if necessary.

I'm not a prepper but well aware that an emergency may occur that would force me to vacate my home in minutes. I also have necessities at home in case food or water isn't available.

I've done what I can without going crazy and feel good that I have some plans in place.

chessylady · ‎05-01-2010

@nambee You are ahead of me but at least I've made a start. I never thought it would come to this in all my 77 years.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I completely understand the concern for clean water supply issues. Just the other day one local city in my state had a significant sewage leak into a major river that supplies water for agriculture and livestock for the people who live along that river. Officials said 4.2 million gallons of raw sewage went into the river and, although the health dept says it won't contaminate well water, the people are concerned that it has and now they are looking for alternate sources for water to drink and bath with. I would be at my wits end if that happened here in my city but I think it's not out of the possibly.

nambee · ‎05-08-2022

@chessylady - I know what you mean! Never thought about these things when I was younger but times have changed and it is important to think of what you might need for various emergencies.

Between changes in weather, lots of building by me (so flooding now in places it's never happened), possible terrorist attacks, accidents like chemical spills and explosions, and aging infrastructure, you just never know.

It's good to take the time when things are quiet and think of what your needs may be for water and food and what you may need to start over if you need to vacate your home in minutes. Then you can stock up on necessities and get yourself organized to leave quickly if something ever happens.

I try not to be crazy about it but at least I have a short term plan in place. Good luck as you go through the process!

nambee · ‎05-08-2022

@SilleeMee - That's why I try to keep well-stocked with bottled water. When things like that happen, officials often say it won't affect the water supply and it's ok to drink but I just don't trust them.

And when there's a no-drink notice, bottled water disappears from shelves and you have to wait in line for bottled water distributed by your municipality.

And now the various issues with supply due to suspected terrorist activity.

Oy vey!!

rockygems123 · ‎06-04-2012

@SilleeMee wrote:
I completely understand the concern for clean water supply issues. Just the other day one local city in my state had a significant sewage leak into a major river that supplies water for agriculture and livestock for the people who live along that river. Officials said 4.2 million gallons of raw sewage went into the river and, although the health dept says it won't contaminate well water, the people are concerned that it has and now they are looking for alternate sources for water to drink and bath with. I would be at my wits end if that happened here in my city but I think it's not out of the possibly.

@SilleeMee

That is horrific, saw that it was near Pueblo in the Arkansas River?

And our current scarce water supply will make it even harder to get fresh water.

65and fabulous · ‎05-20-2014

Thank you for all this information you have shared. I also have prepared for "something" that might happen. For anyone who wants to prepare, I suggest two sources of excellent help: FEMA, and their pages for Disaster Prep, and the Mormon Church. Mormon families are encouraged to store several months of everything they need to survive. They teach four essentials: water, wheat, honey, and salt. There are businesses that sell 25 lb. containers of wheat packed to last 25 years.

Start small, especially if you are on a budget. A few extra cans of soup, beans, etc. I keep sacks of a variety of rice stored in air-tight containers. Rice and dried beans are inexpensive.

Read everything you can about Disaster Prep. Then, get ready. You will be so glad.