ARE YOU PREPARED FOR DISASTER?

by tula 53 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  BrentR

  We are set up for three months of self sufficient living. Since we get frequent power outages we have a 6.5kw generator hardwired in and 100 gallons of gas stored in a tank. Our well has a backup hand pump so we will have water even if the generator fails. We heat with wood and keep two years of wood stored. Our food storage is a combination of canned and dried sealed in nitrogen mylar bags inside five gallon buckets. For transportation we have mountain bikes. To insure we keep all this from anyone who did not plan ahead we have a Smith &Wesson and Ruger "insurance policy".

  I have seen far too many disasters and completely un-prepared people that end up refugees. There are three things you can be absolutely assured of in life. Death, taxes and a governement that will not be there when needed. We can't do much about the first two but we do alot for the third one.

  A very important tip that most people do not think about is have a corded phone. A cordless won't work when the power is out but a corded phone does not require power. The phone company uses back up batteries to power the phone system. Don't rely on your cell phone either. Cell towers are very vulnerable to high wind and earthquakes and most do not have battery back up. Cell systems jam up very quickly during a disaster.

  We had a bad windstorm last Dec and I loaned out three corded phones to friends.
• 

  changeling

  When the world comes to an end I'm moving in with tula. She can keep us alive and I will read poetry and funny stories outloud to make her smile.

  changeling
• 

  tula

  Brent

  I heard a few stories about generators being stolen during hurricane disasters. I just looked it up real quick, and yep, sure 'nuf. It must happen everywhere. The noise is so detectable.

  http://www.albany.edu/~jd4226/project2/account.html

  There were many robberies, however, where Perrodin heard rumors of stolen generators and lawn equipment from people's homes. The rumors wound up being true. Authorities arrested Naburan Cammon, 31, and his girlfriend, Yolanda Jacobs, 36, for allegedly stealing $120,000 in equipment from residents and businesses evacuated for Lili. They were driving a stolen pickup and hauling a stolen trailer loaded with $20,000 in lawn equipment when they were arrested.

  Journey-on:

  I bet you're a subscriber to the "MOTHER EARTH NEWS".

  No. NEVER a subscriber. Frugal, remember? I might read it at library or maybe a friends copy...but that was years ago. Now I can read it on line..for free. well, almost for free.

  computer service 19.95 month

  vonage about 26.00 month

  no tv. priceless.
• 

  BrentR

  We do not have any neighbors close enough to hear them and they allready have thier own anyway. Mine weighs over 400 lbs and is bolted to the shop floor to keep it from dancing around while running. The shop also has a lock but we have very litle crime in my area. Anyone that does try to steal it will have to outrun a stream of .308 cal rounds.
• 

  John Doe

  I've heard you only need two things; duct tape and wd-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use wd-40. How's that for preparedness? ;-)
• 

  tula

  Doe-boy

  If it doesn't move and should, use wd-40. How's that for preparedness? ;-)

  Thanks anyway, but I will stick with my flax seeds.

  Brent:

  The more you prepare for something the less likely it will happen,

  For some it may be "disaster prep," for others it may just be living "greener", or living within your means, or just enjoying a bohemian-type lifestyle. I didn't mean this as simply disaster planning. The title was just to get your attention so you folks would come in and visit.
• 

  BrentR

  I have the reverse Murphy's law philosophy. The more you prepare for something the less likely it will happen, which is just fine with me. So far the worst scenario has been five days w/o power.
• 

  JeffT

  The most important part of disaster preparation takes place between your ears. How well do you hold up to change and inconvenience? If you can deal with sudden changes and some discomfort you are well ahead in the game. We've been through a number of minor things: last years power outage, floods and power out when we lived in the snoqualmie valley. We always do OK.

  And yes, I can keep the house warm, we can cook, there is food here, batteries etc.
• 

  R.Crusoe

  It is cool that there are peole like you. How do you keep self-sufficent though? A regular job?

  I think dudes who manage the 'life' are amazing!
• 

  BrentR

  I am still on the grid, the generator is just for the numerous power outages we get here every winter. Last winter we had eleven outages and one was the wind storm (5 days) JeffT mentioned. It caught alot of people off guard that did not have even the most basic backup plan and supplies. I hope they experienced a philosophical awakening and have taken some basic steps to be prepared.

  I do not want to be one of those whinny little "girly guys" crying in front a news camera about how terrible it is. Wondering where the government is so they can take care of him and his family.

  The more prepared I am the more time and resources I will have to help others.

  This is the generator I have been using for ten years now and have had no problems with. It burns just under 1/2 gal per hour under normal loads, is very quiet and puts out a clean sine wave so sensitive equipment can run off of it. To start it you can use the electric or recoil starter in case the battery is dead. The handles and wheels come off so you can attach it to the floor. It's not cheap but worth it's weight in gold when the power goes out.