NationStates Jolt Archive

A lot of the problems going on in New Orleans can be blamed on the fact that no one was prepared for something like this. So here is my question. Are you prepared to survive if something like New Orleans happened where you are?

I am! I live in North Carolina, where hurricanes are possible, and I have emergency supplies put up in watertight packages, easily accesible. I can carry it with me, and I can live off of it for about two weeks. I have a full gortex outfit and watertight boots. Also first aid and such. And yes, I have a handgun for looters too! And before someone says something stupid, I barely made my rent this month, so I'm not "rich". So what does everyone else to to be prepared to take care of yourself?

I live in tornado alley. I have a similar set up but after a tornado you really only need to be able to survive on your own for a few days. (at least I hope otherwise I am severly unprepared)

I have water, food, flashlights extra batteries, a radio, a weather radio, first aid, extra prescription meds, cash, and medical info for the whole family(drug allergies, med history ect.)

practically nothing. my parents got a small store of emergency food and water from the start of the Iraq war (when they said WMD could be launched in 45 mins etc etc) which could last us a couple of weeks on the move, at a guess. in the house (if we stayed put) we'd have enough to last months lol
other than that i got some hiking gear left over from Duke of Edinburgh award, but nothing in terms of weapons or that kind of thing. not much of a problem in the UK cos most people don't have weapons either, and the weather isn't exactly extreme or harsh here (apart from the flood or whatever natural disaser we're assuming)

I live in West Dakota and I'm prepared.

You know, I was just talking to my husband about this...we live within reach of two volcanoes - Saint Helens and Rainier and we are also on an geographical fault line, so we get smaller earthquakes, but I'm worried about big ones. Aside from food and water, it wouldn't hurt to have a back up generator, I'm thinking. We don't own firearms because we have small, inquisitive children, not because I'm against gun ownership. The clothes, well you have to own all kinds in Washington so I'm covered there.

Thanks for the reminder, I'd better get on some of this stuff.

You're never fully prepared, there's always something you'll miss later. Overall, we're well-prepared. It'll take me an hour to get it all together if we had to leave, but I'm prepared for most emergencies at home.

Muntoo - I worked in Packwood, Washington a while back. Pretty close to MT. Rainier. Beautiful country.

I live in Northern Ireland, where the biggest natural disaster is when the wind gets a bit heavy and the Belfast - Scotland ferry gets delayed.

We rarely have natural disasters where I live (Ontario). The last major one was the ice storm of 1998. (http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-70-258/disasters_tragedies_extreme_weather/ice_storm/)

Casualties and Damage:

28 people died, many from hypothermia

945 people were injured

Over 4 million people in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick lost power.

About 600,000 people had to leave their homes

130 major power transmission towers were destroyed and more than 30,000 utility poles fell

Millions of trees were brought down by the freezing rain, and more continued to break and fall for the rest of the winter.

Estimated cost of the ice storm was $5,410,184,000

By June 1998, about 600,000 insurance claims totalling more than $1 billion had been filed.

All in all, I think Canadians were very resilient throughout this tragedy. Most of the deaths occurred because some people just did not want to leave their houses.

Some areas were without power for several weeks in the bitter cold of winter. Rescue workers came from all around and I salute their selfless efforts. Also 15,000 regular and reserve troops were deployed (http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/info_pro/fact_sheets/general/FA_ice_storm_e.asp).

Being a camper who has built a bonfire in pouring rain, trained in CPR and first aid, I think that I capable of taking care of myself in an emergency situation. I just hope I never gave to prove it. :)

We rarely have natural disasters where I live (Ontario). The last major one was the ice storm of 1998. (http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-70-258/disasters_tragedies_extreme_weather/ice_storm/)

Casualties and Damage:

28 people died, many from hypothermia

945 people were injured

Over 4 million people in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick lost power.

About 600,000 people had to leave their homes

130 major power transmission towers were destroyed and more than 30,000 utility poles fell

Millions of trees were brought down by the freezing rain, and more continued to break and fall for the rest of the winter.

Estimated cost of the ice storm was $5,410,184,000

By June 1998, about 600,000 insurance claims totalling more than $1 billion had been filed.

All in all, I think Canadians were very resilient throughout this tragedy. Most of the deaths occurred because some people just did not want to leave their houses.

Some areas were without power for several weeks in the bitter cold of winter. Rescue workers came from all around and I salute their selfless efforts. Also 15,000 regular and reserve troops were deployed (http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/info_pro/fact_sheets/general/FA_ice_storm_e.asp).

Being a camper who has built a bonfire in pouring rain, trained in CPR and first aid, I think that I capable of taking care of myself in an emergency situation. I just hope I never gave to prove it. :)

We suffered from the same storm here in northern NY, though it wasn't as bad as you folks had.

It was barely reported on, except for locally, in this country. Most people are unaware of the event. We had a severe windstorm July 5, 1995 that affected 900,000 acres - it also passed below the radar of most of the country.

Bottom line - learn to be self-sufficient.

I am prepared to get into my car and drive at a high rate of speed far far away. If that doesn't work I got nothing. I guess I'll be out looting with the rest of them.

In Southern California we are earthquake prone everyday. But since Pre-school they've taught us how to handle an earthquake.

Pretty much get under a table or desk whenever an earthquake occurs and cover your ass until it's over. And stay there until help arrives if it was pretty bad. Oh, and try to cover the back of your neck because it's awfully prone to getting hit by a blunt and hard object and could kill you.

But a major earthquake capable of destroying houses?

Well, that's not so likely to happen. But we live in a suburban neighborhood so the damages won't cause immediate anarchy within a 10 mile radius. And there's a grocery store we can get to just down the street for food and water.

Radio...hmm...well we have the car radio.

I live in God's Chosen Land, nothing bad will ever happen here. Except possibly a massive earthquake, but since downtown Vancouver is on solid granite it won't be that bad. I have a telescope ready to watch Richmond sink into the ocean, and I can watch West Vancouver slide into the sea. That's all I need really.

there's a grocery store we can get to just down the street for food and water.


You better hope you have cash or the credit machines stay up, or you are a looter and a lot of real humanitarians around here think you should be shot on sight.

You better hope you have cash or the credit machines stay up, or you are a looter and a lot of real humanitarians around here think you should be shot on sight.
No, I wouldn't loot. I'd be one of the people shooting (Man you make it sound so evil)...provided I was even old enough to have a gun.

Anyway, yeah I a stash of cash hidden in my house, seperate from mom's stash, and seperate from my brother's stash.

Basically we have a grand or two hidden in like 5 places around the house.

Perhaps schools should teach a program of action in the event of natural disasters that could happen in the area where they live?

Perhaps schools should teach a program of action in the event of natural disasters that could happen in the area where they live?
I think they do.

I know that at least in California they teach us what to do in earthquakes. And we certainly have earthquake drills 2-5 times in a year.

No, I wouldn't loot. I'd be one of the people shooting (Man you make it sound so evil)...provided I was even old enough to have a gun.

Anyway, yeah I a stash of cash hidden in my house, seperate from mom's stash, and seperate from my brother's stash.

Basically we have a grand or two hidden in like 5 places around the house.
Well, in any case that only does you any good if there are people there to accept your money for food and water.

The only catastrophe that I can think of that can affect me where I live are forest fires (highly unlikely, even though I live in the most threatened state in Germany), a severe drop in the groundwater table, or a nuclear meltdown somewhere in Europe. Not much to prepare for. I doubt any of these could be considered similar to what happened in the states. The last thing comparable to that happening here was the Russians in WW2.

Well, in any case that only does you any good if there are people there to accept your money for food and water.
Well then, being a city that can have a good number of crazy Hispanics, we can just burst into Albertsons and help ourselves to food and water. I believe everyone agreed that if your looting a corporation for basic human needs of food and water and not looting for a plasma T.V. then you shouldn't be shot.

Well then, being a city that can have a good number of crazy Hispanics, we can just burst into Albertsons and help ourselves to food and water. I believe everyone agreed that if your looting a corporation for basic human needs of food and water and not looting for a plasma T.V. then you shouldn't be shot.
Well, if everyone agreed on that we wouldn't have nearly as much of a discussion as we have been having. I can think of at least three people who think that looting food and water in an emergency is not ok.

Well, if everyone agreed on that we wouldn't have nearly as much of a discussion as we have been having. I can think of at least three people who think that looting food and water in an emergency is not ok.
You do realize, of course, I'm talking about a worst-case scenario in a suburban neighborhood. Considering no relief get here.

Well, if everyone agreed on that we wouldn't have nearly as much of a discussion as we have been having. I can think of at least three people who think that looting food and water in an emergency is not ok.Who that? Most of the people I discussed with backed down to allow the food and water bit.

Who that? Most of the people I discussed with backed down to allow the food and water bit.
I don't have names. Read the Martial Law thread.

You do realize, of course, I'm talking about a worst-case scenario in a suburban neighborhood. Considering no relief get here.

Well sure. But as we have seen, there is at least one circumstance in which no relief would arrive for a few days. The suburban towns like Metarie are actually in worse condition than most of New Orleans.

Anyone got any face masks on hand? A really bad strain of flu or other airborne disease could wipe out tens of millions world wide, but can be protected against by simply wearing a mask. They are also useful for other, more unlikely disasters such as chemical or nuclear attacks. I'm sure that a pack of face masks will increase your safety a lot more than guns and ammo will. (Viruses are so hard to hit.)

There's a raccoon and some squirrels that come here. I can eat those. And I can sleep for days at a time to conserve energy.

EDIT: Oh, yeah! I also know how to duck and cover. Major earthquake? Duck and cover. Massive flood? Duck and cover. Volcano spewing piroclastic clouds? Duck and cover. See? I'm completely prepared!

There's a raccoon and some squirrels that come here. I can eat those. And I can sleep for days at a time to conserve energy.

EDIT: Oh, yeah! I also know how to duck and cover. Major earthquake? Duck and cover. Massive flood? Duck and cover. Volcano spewing piroclastic clouds? Duck and cover. See? I'm completely prepared!
That's similar to my suggestion to people when telling them how to deal with a nuclear attack.

"Stop, drop, and roll."