How do you prepare for a disaster??
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
Canada
November 30, 2010 1:49pm CST
Ok so they forecast heavy rain. We should be getting snow but its not cold enough so its going to be rain. No big deal, right?
I received an email from the City this morning to let us know we should be ready for the heavy rain coming. They talk about rivers overflowing. Ive never received such an email before so Im thinking it must be very serious.
Ok so they're talking about floods, but since we live sort of half way down a mountain, does it mean I should worry about mudslides too?
How do you get ready for this? Should I pack all my stuff and go? Should I get some stuff in the SUV ready to leave....how do you know when its time to leave?
We've never had floods here before so I dont know. Should I go rent a boat??
Im really stressed out now as I have no idea what should be done. Especially since they forecast the heavy rain to happen during the night. Im up all night as we're night birds and we go to bed around 5AM. Should I leave and go somewhere else?
If you ever gone through this, could you help me here and tell me whats the best thing to do please?
4 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
9 Dec 10
The flood waters may not reach you if you're up a mountain but you may get cut off and isolated. I'm really glad you're safe now but when you can, have a chat to your local rescue service and ask them about an action plan in the event you have to evacuate.
We are experiencing flood conditions here and we have been cut off for some time as the roads are so bad. I've found I can get to town tomorrow by taking several detours but I can hear another storm overhead so I may be out of luck. I usually have lots of everything but it's been 4 weeks now since I shopped and I've been a bit cash strapped what with some big bills to pay...the result? my freezer is nearly empty and there are big empty spaces in my pantry. Wish me luck.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
14 Dec 10
I sure hope you'll be alright. Im like you, I panic when I find that my freezers arent as full or empty spaces in my pantry. I sure hope you'll manage to fill everything back soon.
Fingers crossed all goes well in the meantime!!
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 10
Turns out I was not able to get out when I wanted to. Our nearest town is still isolated by the flood waters. I had a trip with a client yesterday but I was unable to shop. I'll try again today but if all else fails, I will be doing another client trip possibly on Friday. I have my dad coming for Christmas for a week and I'm running out of time.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 Dec 10
I sure hope the water will recede so you're able to do your shopping. I know what its like to run out of time. I too have people over for xmas and watch out for a future discussion on what awaits me between xmas and new year!!
I was once told that no matter how bad it is, the most important is that we are together with our family during this special time. So its ok if you cant get everything, as long as you are with your family, thats all that matters!!
@qianyun6 (2066)
• China
2 Dec 10
Hi, MagicalBubbles!
I think the most important things are food and drink. You need to store enough food and clean water. All the food must be instant food, means can be eat without cooking. Because if flood or other disaster really comes, electricity and gas support is very possible to be broken.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
3 Dec 10
I have plenty of food and water also. I always make sure hubby has enough of his high blood meds and same for the dog....enough dog food.
We have a generator, so we could cook. Im not worried about the power going off but I do worry about water going up. Not much you can do if that happens.
Fortunately for us, we didnt get much of the storm here. The flood was at about 20 mins from us. We're surrounded by mountains and sometimes it keeps us safe from storms........but other times, if we DO get the storm, then it keeps going around and around!!
Thanks for the advice!!
@savypat (20216)
• United States
30 Nov 10
We watch closely for this, the creek runs along our property and it can flood
big time. We keep water for drinking, wood to burn in fire place, canned food
but our major concern is if we have to get our animals out, we have a plan to ty them up on the hill side and the humans will just have to make due. In a flood you need water tight supplies, for slides or fire you just get out usually with what you have in your car if you can get to it.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
I was ready to pack the car with stuff I might need and I sort of forgot it all had to be water tight.....thanks for reminding me.
We'll keep an eye on whats going on and we'll all be ready to get in the SUV and drive off to my dad's. I sure hope I wont have to and its a false alarm!
Thank you!
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
1 Dec 10
It sounds similar to when a hurricane approaches the gulf. There's no way to knwo exactly what is ahead. The best thing to do is to go stay with someone where you know it's safe. Staying might be okay, but it might not be. It's better to get out while there's time that to take a chance and be wrong.
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
3 Dec 10
We decided to stay and keep our eyes open.
There were floods about 30 mins from here in lower lands. All in all, it wasnt so bad for us. Some lost power but we didnt and Im really thankful for that.
We have mountains around us and we never know if we'll get the storm or not.....we didnt this time.
Thanks for your advice.
