How prepared are you? What if your area was evacuated?

@dragon54u (31636)
United States
February 5, 2010 7:46am CST
Or an emergency required you to leave your house quickly with no time to gather things together? My family liked to camp when I was growing up and my dad taught us all kinds of things about getting our own food from the land. We also learned to pack sparingly, taking only what we needed for our trips. When I grew up I took advantage of those lessons. I always have a "go bag" within reach of the back door of my house. It has an army can opener (very simple, very small), beef jerky, dried fruits, nuts, pain relievers, fishing line and hooks, string, a small sewing kit, some clothesline, a change of clothes and 3 pairs of socks. People often get into trouble because they don't have dry, clean socks. I have a bandanna, ammunition for my rifle, gun cleaning kit, 2 bottles of water, toothbrush, soap and a small Bible as well as pencil, paper pad and a Sudoku book. There are other things in it but I can't think of them all offhand. All these things are packed inside an old army knapsack that's about 12"x16". I'm ready for anything if I have to leave my house quickly. I'll be able to survive for days from that knapsack. When I was married I had one for each child and one for my husband, who poked fun at me and called me paranoid. Are you ready for the unexpected? What would you do if you had just two minutes to leave your home and evacuate your area or city?
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7 responses
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
5 Feb 10
I couldn't catch many cats in 2 minutes...
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Feb 10
I leave my dog food in a bag where my dogs can get to it if they need to--like if I'm gone for a day or more and they get the idea I'm not coming back and they are hungry. I also have a large bowl of water in addition to their regular bowl, for the same reason. Both bowls are kept fresh and clean. That's how I prepare my dogs in case I can't take them along. You can do the same for your kitties, keep them safe and healthy until your return.
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@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
6 Feb 10
We had a very unexpected tornado once, when my daughter was about ten, I guess I was out working, she had gone home, and she grabbed the cat, a radio and a candle and headed to the basement. There is some comment that the refinery near me will never be struck by a tornado. Some scientists say that the heat that is generated in the refining process causes the storm to lift as it approaches. I know that the one time I remember it coming that close that is what happened.
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@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
6 Feb 10
it'd take more than 2 minutes to fill up enough bowls of water to keep them going more than 24 hours!!!
@GreenMoo (11834)
9 Feb 10
During fire season I keep an emergency bag in the back of the car comprising spare clothes and a few other bits in case we have to evacuate and stay with friends for a few days. I also check out the dirt tracks leaving our village just in case we need to use them. A few years ago I thought evacuation was a distinct possibility, but thankfully it didn´t happen and we´ve not had fire so close since then.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Feb 10
Fire is definitely something you have to be quick to run from! I'm glad you're prepared. You should have some food and water, too, at least some snacks to keep the children comfortable.
@GreenMoo (11834)
10 Feb 10
The bombeiros around here are absolutely fabulous, I can´t praise them enough, and they normally evacuate well in advance of any danger. Thankfully it´s never happened to us but I used to be very worried when we lived at our last place as it was a very isolated village with only one main road in and out. There was one year when the fire was as close as the next village, but we couldnt see it from ours because of the angle of the trees in between. Not being able to see it was the worst, worse even than the bits of burning ash that were raining on us. We took it in turns to drive out every hour all night to keep an eye on it, but I´m glad to say the bombeiros managed to get it under control there and the danger passed. Sadly, one of the bombeiros was killed in that fire. I take your point about snacks and drinks for the kids. I tend not to keep anything like that in the car because the heat of the sun fries everything so quickly in summer! I remember a can of coke exploding on my dashboard, can you imagine the mess?!! I ought to add bottled water to my stash at least, but in fairness we´d be looked after by neighbours or friends very quickly. I do need to make some provisions for the animals this year though. Can you imagine my evacuating in a car filled with family, dogs, cats, goats, rabbits and chickens? It doesn´t bear thinking of!
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Feb 10
I've thought about this several times and sort of half way thought about preparing. You're right, though, I need to get serious about it. I need to make a list and go about gathering things. I have a bag that has a battery radio, some socks, candles and matches in a plastic bag and a few other odds and ends. I'm going to make that list and start working on it right away. One can't be too prepared.
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@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Feb 10
Thanks! I don't have any pets so don't have to worry about that. I have already added paper and pencil and some nuts to the bag. I will put a few things on my shopping list.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Feb 10
The nice thing about being prepared for anything is that it can't hurt and if you have a need for it, it's there. It's just one thing that makes me feel more secure! Keep your pack light and don't forget to provide for any pets you might have!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
8 Feb 10
I have a bag packed that I always have packed in case my son has to go back to the hospital in a hurry. I would have to grab all my sons meds and other supplies, and the kids clothes.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Feb 10
You could further prepare by making a list of your son's doctors and their numbers plus all the meds he's on. My mom does that and finds it saves a lot of time and confusion. When she fell and was taken to the ER I was able to get into her puse and hand the list to the nurse instead of her having to go through all that when she was in pain.
@DCMerkle (1281)
• United States
6 Feb 10
I live in a senior/disabled building and we have had to be evacuated a few times due to any number of things. We are usually put up at a motel. I keep a bag ready for that now. I have a couple days of clothes, extra medication, dried fruit, bottled water, microwavable soup bowls(there's always a microwave somewhere at the motel), a book and some magazines and sample sized toiletries. Being I have a cat, she goes with me and she has her own little emergency bag. Extra bankie, treaties and a favorite toy.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Feb 10
You are an excellent example of preparedness, even including your beloved cat! That is exactly what everyone should have as a bare minimum. I hope your evacuations remain minimal and comfortable!
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
6 Feb 10
I think you are very smart to be prepared like that. Lately I've been thinking about the same thing. How would I evacuate myself and Mija (my furbaby) if it came to that? It's very scary when you're not prepared. Because you're prepared you have half the battle won. Can I ask you the contents you have in each knapsack? Have a great day! Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Feb 10
There is only one knapsack since I now live alone. I did forget to mention that I buy those sample-sized bags of dog food when they are cheap and there are a couple of those in the knapsack. Does Mija have a travel carrier? If not, it would be a good idea to get one or at least fashion a box for her and fit it with rope handles. I have no intention of leaving my pets behind and I doubt that you would, either!
@GardenGerty (157016)
• United States
5 Feb 10
I am not as prepared as you are, so I would be at somewhat of a loss. I cannot imagine such a quick evacuation here, but I know that for instance if a tornado hit the refinery, IF we did not blow to smithereens, the evacuation would happen.
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@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Feb 10
Refinery?! Ack!! That's kinda scary to be living near one of those, even though I know they take a LOT of safety precautions! You should at least have a bag containing a couple days' meds if you need them, a bottle of water and a bag of beef jerky. If you do evacuate, the government won't be there to help you. Think Katrina!
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