Skip to comments.Lessons Learned From Superstorm Sandy
Posted on 11/13/2012 8:36:53 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
In an emergency evacuation, there will always be people who stay behind to protect their personal belongings. People who ignored evacuation warnings had to be rescued and some lost their lives in one of the worst storms in the history of natural disasters in the United States.
The biggest challenges were hunger and cold because of electrical outages. More than 8.1 million homes and businesses lost power.
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, city leaders across the country are asking how their city would respond to a similar disaster and examining their preparedness and self-reliance needs. Sandy would have resulted in much more damage to property, loss of lives and overall disruption of basic infrastructure and utility services had rapid response, timely evacuation warnings and accurate decision-making not been implemented.
People affected by Sandy reported the following frightening issues:
Perhaps the most valuable lesson to be learned from the storm is: Dont mess with Mother Nature (just get out). But Sandy taught us other lessons, too.
Buy Flood Insurance
Many people did not have flood insurance and, as a result, are financially devastated. That is why it is so important to check your insurance policy to make sure you are covered by storms related to Mother Nature. It is worth the extra money to get a better policy that covers weather-related incidents and flood insurance.
Plan An Evacuation Route
Carefully plan your evacuation in advance. Figure out where you’d go if you had to leave your home in an emergency (the home of a friend or relative, a shelter or an evacuation site). Map out how to get there and share this information with all close family and friends. Appoint an out-of-town relative or friend as a contact person your entire family can reach if you become separated. Make sure every family member has the phone number memorized and understands what to do in an evacuation or any other true emergency.
Pack A 72-Hour Bug-Out Bag
Keep an easy-to-carry backpack full of the most important essentials that you would need if you had to evacuate your home in a hurry. Prepare one for every member of the family. Leave room for important items such as your wallet, credit cards, checkbook, laptop and hard drive with all the cords, as well as your cellphone and charger.
The following items should be included in your grab-and-go backpack:
A backpack for a baby should include diapers, baby wipes, baby food, shoes, clothing, medicines, small toys and a blanket.
ION (Stabilized Oxygen Water Treatment)
I would not be without ION in my bug-out bag. It is non-toxic, has a long shelf life, kills all harmful bacteria and will treat 110 gallons of water safely. You can use rainwater or take water from a stream and treat it. If you are getting sick, you can mix 20 drops of ION in an 8-ounce glass of water and drink it. It will knock the flu or diarrhea bug out of your body quickly. I take ION on all my trips to Mexico or other countries where the water is questionable. I put it in all liquids such as soups, juices, drinks and water. It keeps us from getting sick.
Important Photos And Documents
Have another container with easy-to-grip handles that hold family photos, CDs with photos, scrapbooks, important documents and anything else that is irreplaceable.
Buy A Portable Generator
A portable generator is nice to have on hand in case you have to keep your refrigerator, freezer or any other appliance going. You can charge your cellphones and laptops if you have power from a generator. Dont use gasoline motors in enclosed spaces because of carbon monoxide gas.
Prepare For Your Pets
In the aftermath of Sandy (as is the case in all major storms), many pets were lost, displaced or killed. Most people consider their animals as members of the family. They cannot bear to leave them behind. Many residents would rather stay behind with their pets than to leave them behind. Plan ahead for their safety by assembling a bug-out bag for your pets. Include the most important things you would need for them in an evacuation — things such as pet food, water, a leash, a collar, a blanket and a portable cage. Research all pet-evacuation centers in your area just in case your pet has to go to a designated pet shelter. Make sure your pet is properly tagged so it can be returned to you in case it is found stranded somewhere.
Prepare To Take Care Of Yourself And Your Family
Help may not arrive for at least three days. That is about how long it takes to get help in an emergency situation. Having a two-week supply of essentials will make life a whole lot easier. Think through the entire situation and plan your strategy. Find out if any of your neighbors are senior citizens, disabled people or families with young children. If so, get to know them. The lives you save might be theirs. With extra emergency supplies on hand, you can help others instead of waiting for help.
Hurricane Sandy. Hurricane!
All things that anyone born on the Gulf Coast knows from their Mom, and Grandmothers knee.
I’m not belittling what happened to the East Coast, but part of me just wants to scream “Damn people, you got hit with a ‘baby’ compared to what we can get 2 or more times a year”.
The vulnerables were most vulnerable. Women, children, and minorities most affected.
#1 lesson learned,
IT WAS BOOSH’S FAULT BECAUSE HE DONUT LIKA NEW YAWKERZ!!!
When things do not go well when a natural disaster occurs during a Democrat administration...it is ignored.
We might as well rename the "MSM" to the "Pravda in US Media". Only difference is that the Russian Pravda was forced to report the propaganda of the government, out media does so willingly.
Gotta love the liberal meme that circulated prior to the storm that it was “selfish” to remain behind during the evacuation and “force” someone else to have to clear out your body or rescue you.
Also saw liberals talking about how you MUST have some level of responsibility to provide food, water, savings for yourself.
So how is this rainy day different than providing your own healthcare, retirement, or children their lunches?
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