With Hurricane Sandy being touted as the “Super Storm,” “Frankenstorm” and “Worst Storm in History,” this event has the probability of being the most devastating Atlantic storm of our lifetime.
The good news is that we as a nation had advance warning of the approaching threat and that one fact saved millions of lives. Many were able to evacuate and many others that stayed were able to prepare to ride out the storm.
At this moment, the morning after the storm made landfall, with not all the reports in because communications are down, Fox News is reporting:
- 8.2 million homes and businesses are without power in 16 states and Washington, D.C.
- 1 out of 6 people without power
- 35 deaths across 7 states
- more information will be coming over the next few days raising all these numbers
- the expectation is a minimum of 7-10 days before power can be restored
As additional reports come in, there certainly will be stories of miracles and survival as well as stories of sad losses. There will be stories of lessons learned. The most important lesson that we are hearing is that people took this threat seriously and that “prepping” was the most prudent and wise action to take.
For people who have insisted that “prepping” is unnecessary, Hurricane Sandy has busted that myth and opened many eyes to the truth that we can never know what will come our way and the unusual may happen. To be prepared means lives can (in many instances) will be saved.
In the aftermath of the storm in the hardest hit areas, what we find is that basic public services are non-existent, including power, communications, transport, supplies, food, water, sanitation, heat even shelter from the elements.
For those in the storm areas, life will not be the same and future preparations will be based on their experiences with this storm, either positive with preps, or learning first-hand how preparations would have helped.
Those who are watching these families experience this devastation, we too can learn from Hurricane Sandy and make preparations should something affect us in the future.
Basic information on how to get started can be found in many places, but stay away from recommendations by companies insisting you must spend thousands of dollars upfront. Many times, basic preps can be found on a modest budget.
Some simple tips on getting started include purchasing extra canned and dehydrated shelf-stable foods, bottled water, toiler paper, over-the-counter medications whenever you shop. Buy extra of what you use.
- Food – shelf-stable, canned, dehydrated, etc. Don’t forget a manual can opener or two!
- Water – bottled, water filter, or purifier such as the AquaPail.
- Sanitation needs – hand sanitizer, body needs, feminine needs, toilet paper, disinfecting needs
- Heat source – wood, propane, gas, kerosene
- Medical needs – over-the-counter meds, prescriptions, herbal and natural remedies, first-aid supplies
- Light source – flashlights, candles, oil lamps (these are fire hazards, use with care)
- Cooking source for food – grill, camping stove (be sure not to use indoors without proper ventilation)
- Disposable plates and utensils
- Weather radio, battery powered
- Extra batteries
- Non-electric household supplies
This is just a bare-bones list to get started, we can always add to and expand our list as we take stock of the items we use on a daily basis and we consider how we would fare if we could not get those items.
For more information and sound advice, I recommend:
Preparedness Radio Network – excellent shows all focused on the topic of how to prepare. Listen On Demand or download as an Mp3.
Websites:
Your Preparation Station
Prepping on a Budget
Christian Homekeeper
Books:
Making the Best of Basics
It’s a Disaster
Survival Mom