"I am going to try and not going to say this in a non-critical way. Once again, I am amazed at how many people have zero prepping skills."
Hurricane Matthew is coming. Like it or not, it is coming. And it is not going to be a gentle little tropical depression. Nope. This hurricane means business - it has real teeth. Right now there is the perfect storm of conditions for the development of a perfect storm. Like water temps that are in the mid to upper 80's. And very light steering winds which allows the storm to move very slowly. That has allowed this storm to grow into a monster - about this size of Arizona. And also strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane.
I am going to try and not going to say this in a non-critical way. Once again, I am amazed at how many people have zero prepping skills. In the past day or two, when it became apparent this storm was going to visit the lower east coast, every news outlet in America seems to have a crew down in Florida. We have seen gas stations run out of gas, grocery stores run out of food and bottled water, and Home Depot run out of plywood.
Some might say, "Hey - I have seen this movie before!" I know I have. So I will do my rant all over again. Everyone, should they live in a hurricane zone, earthquake zone, blizzard zone, or whatever - needs to do some prepping. For example, many residents of Florida have been given or will be given evacuation orders. Having your tank filled over halfway at all times is a must. Plus, it is just good practice to have at least 15 gallons of fresh gasoline on your premises at all times.
If you don't evacuate, it is a pretty good bet you will lose power in a Category 4 storm. And lose it for quite a while. When the power goes out, nothing works - including your source of water. It is important to have at least a week's worth of potable water on hand for every person in the house. In addition, your toilets will not work when the power goes out. If you also have some non-potable water (like in a rain barrel), that will work for flushing toilets and washing dishes.
And if you do have to evacuate, have a plan. Where would you go? What do you need to take with? Food, meds (and a list of the medications you are taking just in case you run out), week or so worth of clothing and so on. Every good prepper knows it is important to have the house ready to be self sufficient for a period of time if you are sheltered there, AND - knows what to take with in the event of a "bug out" (evacuation).
Most of us remember the pain and suffering that happened in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy. And of course, the floating bodies in the flooded streets in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.
Good prepping will not stop monster storms from hitting our coasts, but it will help keep people alive in the aftermath. We can only hope and pray the good people of Florida are ready for this coming beast known as Matthew.
Good assessment, Larry. I think a lot of people have the idea that "nothing" will happen to them. They are ill-prepared and the stay until the last minute joining hundreds of last minute "leavers" that inundate the evacuation routes and putting the rescuers in danger to save those that stayed. Good article -- very important and true!
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