Fire season is upon us. The Lahaina wildfires on Maui last week heartbreaking. Watching the horror I was reminded of the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA.
Simultaneously, it is hurricane season. Heads up California, we may have our 1st Tropical Storm landfall since 1939 this weekend! This summer has been brutal with heat, rain and flooding. Mother Nature is speaking this year.
Preparing for the worst doesn’t always come naturally – I get that. And, after seeing the force of nature in Lahaina, it is a reminder to carve out some time to learn how you can take practical steps to prepare and build some “mental muscle” just in case.
Building “mental muscle” is a concept that includes regulating your emotions. Feelings so easily can cloud judgement and impact your ability to act when needed. The following subheadings will allow you to walk through some “what-if’s” and practice preparation before facing the actual challenge.
Image by Ronald Plett from Pixabay
Power Outages
Power outages reek havoc during any force of nature. Downed power lines impact emergency notification leaving people unaware of the pending danger. When electrical power goes out, communications, water, and transportation can all suffer disruptions.
Check with your local community services to learn about Public Safety Power Shutoff plans in place. Does your community provide an emergency power location for you to gather?
If you rely on medical equipment or medication that requires temperature control, it’s a good idea to plan for portable backup power sources. These alternative power sources can also help you charge devices, phones, modems, routers, and appliances.
Review the supplies you have available, such as batteries, flashlights, nonperishable food, water, medical and other supplies are recommended too! And fill up a bathtub with water, just in case you need to flush and/or boil water 🌀
Time to Evacuate
- If for any reason you were forced to evacuate, what evacuation routes could you take?
- Check with your community about various evacuation routes
- Is the danger coming from the north, south, east or west?
- Identify several places you could go if needed to travel in different directions. * Important to identify places that accept pets *
- Are the roads open?
- How many alternate routes do you have near you?
- Where are emergency shelters near you?
- Share your plan with family and friends
- Practice, practice, practice
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
Programs to Support Disaster Survivors
FEMA has a number of programs to support disaster survivors. You can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or review the following types of assistance to determine what best suits your needs.
Individuals and Households Program Assistance; Mass Care and Emergency Assistance; Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program; Disaster Case Management; Disaster Legal Services; Voluntary Agency Coordination; Referral Lists; and Additional Resources.
Inventory
I’ve written about this often, having an inventory is a godsend! Listing everything can be overwhelming. Taking a video (room by room) is an alternative. And NerdWallet posted an article about testing apps that help make the job easier and faster that I found this week.
I’ll be testing the Encircle app they recommended because it was quick, easy to use, and designed primarily for insurance adjusters and restoration contractors to make repairs post-disasters and report back later 😉
https://www.e-junkie.com/i/u8ac
Get Your Plans Together
When you’re ready to give it a go with your ounce of prevention review, contact me to set up a time to meet. Grab a copy of my book to help you uncover areas to pre-plan, things to handle at a loss, and the ongoing follow-up required. 2023 Edition of The Living Planner What to Prepare Now While You Are Living ©
https://www.e-junkie.com/i/u8ac
Send me an Email: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com or if you’d prefer to schedule a Complimentary Discovery Call to discuss your situation, reach out. My main website is: https://thelivingplanner.com and my online DIY information is located at https://courses.thelivingplanner.com
As philosopher Lao Tzu said, “Every journey starts with a single step”! Take one step to prepare you and yours for the worst. ❣️Lynn
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