Aftermath of Katrina: How has it changed your readiness?

noni

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I live in an area that is prone to earthquakes and fire. Where I live is also a tsunami area, as well as a flood innundation area (should one of the dams in the area break). I am not willing to wait for the government to come save me; that's my job. So I was thinking about how I can do that job, and got to wondering if my existing emergency plans were good enough. They weren't, so I changed them.

Several things I've done are:
~Increased the amount of "minimum" gas always available in my vehicle.
~Increased the number of days' food, water, medications, and batteries I have available (for myself and my animals, as well as added some for family/neighbors).
~With my family, created a GOOD plan (Get Out Of Dodge); a relay system of telephone numbers that are likely to work (out of state points) where one can call and leave messages for other family members.
~Checked on my father's preparedness, and increased his supplies.
~Packed up a GOOD bag and got it into the car; and another one in the house. Blankets, clothing (old, ratty stuff, but servicable), battery operated radio.
~A small strongbox with important papers stored inside, and a few precious photos, easily carried.
~A kennel or travel box for all my cats.
~Maps. Both Thomas Guides for several counties surrounding me, and maps of my state and the western US (free from AAA).

So I was wondering; how have you changed/increased your emergency preparedness? Have you even thought about what you might need during a major natural disaster in your area?

Best-
Michele
 

vespacat

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I hope the mods don't delete this thread -- I think it helps most to discuss this sort of thing and the effects Katrina has had on everyone, especially those who don't have many people to talk to in their everyday lives.


I live in Canada, and fortunately we rarely experience natural disasters. We did have a small tornado and brutal rainstorm in Toronto recently that toppled a bridge, but other than that, usually we just have to contend with heavy snowfall in the winter, which at times, can create a lot of chaos, particularly for drivers. We've had a number of tornados and Alberta gets brutal hailstorms, but they are mild in comparison those the US receive.
 

talon

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Yep, I have cages/cariers for each of my pets.... hmmm... uh oh, I am down one... ok - new cat carrier on the list.

We have a natural gas generator (we are not in a flood area) , extra meds and bottled water - we have extra non-perishable food (us, cats and birds) - but probably need to stock up a tad more - we usually stock up more in winter - as snow storms are a big possiblity. We will have wood for the fireplace in case the generator fails.

I haven't done anything we papers, etc - as it will be a big endevour to just get the pets out - and they are most important and can't be replaced. If we have time to grab anything else - it would be a bonus.
 
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noni

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I hope the mods don't delete this thread -- I think it helps most to discuss this sort of thing and the effects Katrina has had on everyone, especially those who don't have many people to talk to in their everyday lives.
I didn't realize this would be a problem topic. Mods, if you see the need, please go ahead and delete.


My purpose wasn't to spark a political discussion, but rather have people start looking at their own preparedness, find the holes, and plug them before something occurs.

Best-
Michele
 

scamperfarms

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I am not in a earthquake zone and the likely hood of my part of the city getting flooded is slim. But tornados do happen. And of course around here Winter is a big problem. I always have at least two months of dry cat food on hand. I have an er pack that is filled with ice packs that are not engaed til you break them, medications, bandages, clothing. chocolate, candles, juice boxes, bottled water, kitty litter for tread, rope and such. I have carriers enough for all the cats, extra blankets...and all sorts of other things. I have two such large kits put together one in my car, and one in the house.
 

katspixiedust

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Here in Florida my only main threat is a hurricane, though a tsunami could certainly happen. Luckily flooding is not much of an issue for most coastal areas here (where my parents are) and it's definitely not in Orlando. Our building standards increased greatly after hurricane Andrew so any buildings built after 1992 are built for those hurricane standards. The only part of preparation that I've changed a bit is gas. Last year when the hurricanes hit it was a huge problem getting gasoline and there's no way I want to deal with that at the last minute again. Other than that my preparations would be the usual: crate Waffle (if the hurricane were above a cat 2), have plenty of water on hand, nonperishable food items, lots of extra batteries, a battery powered radio, and enough candles.
 

deb25

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The potential deletion of this thread depends strictly upon those posting to it. As long as it remains civil and on topic, it will stay.
 

hissy

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It has made me search the web and find websites that advise how to plan for disasters when you have animals. These websites will be included on www.meowhoo.com to help others hopefully before a disaster happens to them. Just not sure what category it will fall under.

It also made me put all my cat carriers together. I tend to take the doors off them so the cats can enter them at will- but now they are all intact and staked in one area so I know where they are.
 

gratefulbear629

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Good thread, noni. The hurricane did make me think about what I would do in the event of an emergency. Although, I have done anything to prepare yet. Living in Jersey, there isn't much of a threat for a natural disaster but it's always good to be prepared for anything that might come up. I think I will start getting things together that I would need.

Food, water, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, supplies for the kits, etc.

It's better to be prepared and not have to use anything than god forbid, something happening and not being ready.
 

okeefecl

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Where I live the worst I can expect from nature is a blizzard that shuts down the city for a few days. I always make sure I have at least a week of food for Ivo, plus bottled water. Her carrier is easily accesible in my storage closet. My personal papers are kept in one file, so if I have to leave quickly I can get them easily. And after suffering many power losses within the last year, I have battery operated lanterns and radios in easy reach.
 

lndscpsam

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Originally Posted by GratefulBear629

Good thread, noni. The hurricane did make me think about what I would do in the event of an emergency. Although, I have done anything to prepare yet. Living in Jersey, there isn't much of a threat for a natural disaster but it's always good to be prepared for anything that might come up. I think I will start getting things together that I would need.

Food, water, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, supplies for the kits, etc.

It's better to be prepared and not have to use anything than god forbid, something happening and not being ready.
If you go to the red cross site, they have wonderful backpacks of emergency ready provisions you can buy. I think I'll invest in a few as Xmas gifts this year!
 

yayi

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Living in Asia, it's always one natural disaster after another. So I am always ready.

I have a special cupboard full of can goods (& manual can opener), batteries, medicine, candles, matches. flashlights. I always make sure I have a week supply of drinking water and rice in an airtight,waterproof container. I have a charcoal and natural gas mini stove.
Because there's always a few days warning before the storm hit, we have time to reinforce our roofs, windows and whatever needs to be done.
And then, we pray!!!
 

sharky

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I keep bottled water and some dry and canned food for a few days.... I did realize I would have trouble if I needed to evacuate ( I live to close to a active volcano) find a way to take the fish with me .. three small tanks .. suggestions welcome...
 

lndscpsam

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QUOTE=sharky]I keep bottled water and some dry and canned food for a few days.... I did realize I would have trouble if I needed to evacuate ( I live to close to a active volcano) find a way to take the fish with me .. three small tanks .. suggestions welcome...[/quote]
Well there you go - you need to invent a portable "backpack fishtank" just in case.
 

fwan

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Hurricane Katrina is still all over the TV, loads of discussions and there isnt much other news appart from that.
It has made me realise what would happen. Last year in frankfurt we were stuck in the middle of the road, it was all floody and my car wouldnt go anymore.. i had a 20 year old fiesta and when the water touched the engine it stopped. we had the tornado right infront of us but it went the other way.
I thought it was weird because germany isnt supposed to get tornados or anything like that? the construction buildings in frankfurt were all broken from the small tornado, and there was wood, glass, rocks ect all over the roads.

Where i live the only natural distaster that could happen would be floods.
I always have one weeks worth of water, and food for teufel, infact his food usually lasts upto 3 weeks.

I have lots and lots of pasta and rice, should stock up with canned food too though again..

But to your question, nope im not ready for a natural disaster.
 

purr

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It made me think about the winters here because even though they're not terribly bad, my town is terribly unprepared. A few years ago, it rained a lot and there was ice everywhere. The ice hanging from trees and power lines ended up causing a few of them to break and we had to get someone here to fix it. The power was only out for a few days, but I thought it was a week, so that shows how bad *I* thought it was at the time!

If we lost power we'd have to go to a hotel immediately because I can't let Cupid get cold. Last time we stayed here with the generator and little space heater, but I don't want Cupid around that.

If something had happened before Cupid, we'd just have gone somewhere, but now we have to have a plan. The most I've ever done to prepare for anything is set aside an emergency outfit so I could throw it on if something happend at night or when I wasn't ready. We have tornados here, but that's about it. Luckily they've just been small ones that touched ground out in a field somewhere and not near any homes.

So I got a bag full of everything Cupid could possibly need for a week, set it in an empty litter box, and put a spare bag of litter next to it. That way if we need to get away, my roommate can get Cupid's stuff and I can get Cupid and we could get out.
 

rosiemac

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Although the UK can have it's fair share of floods, it's not as bad as whats happend in New Orleans, but just incase of any disaster i have their carrier in my bedroom with a blanket inside, and two harnesses, and i always have a couple of large bags of kibbles in the cupboard along with bottled water.

As long as their fed and watered first thats all i'm bothered about
 
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