As we have watched in horror the disasters of the past few weeks, we wonder how we can help, how could they have been more prepared and how can we learn from these disasters? We have learned disasters can happen anywhere. We have learned even 1,000-year disasters can and will happen.
What does a 1,000-year disaster really mean? Do you wonder how they track a disaster from 1,000 years ago? They don’t. A once in 1,000-year event means there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of that disaster happening in any year. A once in 500-year event, 1 out of 500 it will happen in a given year. In 2024 we have seen several disasters labeled as a 100-year, 500 year and even 1,000-year event. We realize that catastrophic events are happening more often.
As of September 10th, there have been 20 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect United States. These events included 16 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 149 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. Billion-dollar events are happening much more often. From 1980–2023 the annual average is 8.5 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 20.4 events (CPI-adjusted). Since this report we have experienced hurricanes Helene and Milton, flooding and landslides in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and tornadoes in Florida and beyond bringing the total billion-dollar disaster to 23 totaling more than 400 billion dollars.
As we let that sink in, we should realize there is no possible way the government, church or relief agencies can meet all the needs created. The time has come to believe Heavenly Father when He warned of calamities in the last days. They are here and we can no longer pretend they won’t happen to us.
Our niece lives in the disaster area in North Carolina. She had no power or water for 10 days. After digging a latrine to share with neighbors and pooling resource with them she is now on a quest to become more prepared. There was no plan B or C. As former military she had a Plan A but it quicky fell apart.
Let’s take a few scenarios and consider our plans. As you plan, remember, there will be no Internet or any way for you to access information to help you through. Make collecting and preserving information a priority and part of Plan A for every scenario.
Power outage: (cooking)
Almost all natural disasters and firestorms result in power outages. We have spoken about power outages many times in the past, now let’s consider a Plan A, Plan B and the Plan C for cooking during a power outage.
Plan A: Your Plan A for cooking will probably be an outdoor propane grill, and/or a camp stove using propane or butane. These are great options; however, propane and butane will eventually run out making a Plan B an absolute necessity. Part of a plan A you may not have considered should be information. The fuel you had stored has now run out what is your Plan B?
Plan B: Your next option should be one that does not depend on a fuel source that needs to be purchased and will run out. Plan B may include items like a fire pit, a BBQ grill that normally uses charcoal but may also be used with wood. Unfortunately, after most disasters there is a lot of wood available from trees that are down and homes that are destroyed.
Plan C: If you have gotten to this point the information you have stored and the skills you have learned will be the things you will need to lean on. Do you know how to use a number 10 can to make a stove? Do you know how to stack bricks to construct a rocket stove? Do you know how to make a hay box cooker? Now is a good time to practice constructing creative ways to cook before the need arises.
Plan D: if you should be unfortunate enough to be in an area where there are gas leaks you will not be able to use any of the methods we have already discussed. This is the time that what you have stored in your food storage is critical. You should have canned foods which can be eaten cold and without adding water, emergency survival bars, and or MRE’s. Remember, when you are out of water, the liquid in canned foods is safe to drink. Be sure you are familiar with which foods are safe and which should be discarded following a flood.
To be prepared to thrive during a prolonged power outage, you will need additional equipment no matter which plan you end up using. Be sure to have cookware such as a Dutch oven that can withstand the high heat of a grill or fire pit. Consider the purchase of pie irons, and long camp forks. Stock up on fire resistant oven mitts, matches, long handled Barbecue tools, and aluminum foil.
Power outage: (lighting, heating, cooling)
Plan A: You may dream of a whole house generator, but a more realistic Plan A goal may be a smaller generator. A portable generator should be one capable of running on several fuel sources, natural gas, propane and gasoline. A small generator will allow you to preserve the food in the fridge and freezer, run a few lights and charge devises. Fuel will run out during a prolonged disaster and a Plan B is essential.
Plan B: Battery operated models are available for fans, lanterns, heater, lamps, and flashlights. Plug in flashlights are inexpensive and serve many needs. They charge when you have power and the second the power goes off they come on. Purchase the ones with motion detectors for use as night lights. Plug in flashlights may be turned off should your outage begin during the day thus preserving the charge for nighttime use. With a prolonged outage, batteries will run down, and new ones will not be available to purchase.
Plan C: With no more batteries and no fuel for a generator, you will need to rely on your Plan C preparations. Glow sticks, solar outdoor lighting, solar lanterns, candles, and oil lamps and lanterns are all options. Solar landscape lighting can be charged during the day and brought in at night. Solar lanterns are easy to store as the can be blown up when needed and then deflated for storage. Glow sticks can be made to glow more brightly for increased light. Candles, oil lamps and lanterns should be your last option as they are easy to tip, can be forgotten when going to bed or leaving the house, and can be dangerous with children in the home. Also, any open flame should never be used if a gas leak is possible.
Food storage:
Plan A: We have long preached storing the foods you normally eat. A great plan includes desserts, seasoning, canned foods, frozen foods, everything you would need to make a familiar meal. Following hurricane Helene, many found themselves with no food or with no way to prepare food. Plan A includes food that may be eaten without cooking. The liquid in canned foods may be consumed when clean water is not available helping to avoid dehydration. A three-month supply of these foods may not last more than a week when your emergency includes all your neighbors. On to Plan B, which becomes less obvious.
Plan B: (If you have clean water, Plan C if you do not) Long term grains, beans, dehydrated and freeze-dried foods may seem like the most logical next step but without water, none of these are any good. None can be prepared and consumed without water. Dehydrated and freeze-dried foods must be reconstituted before eating to avoid dehydration.
Plan C: (if you do not have potable water, Plan B if you have clean water) MREs and survival bars, garden, fruit trees and berry bushes. There are some really tasty survival bars, but others taste like cardboard, or at least how I imagine cardboard would taste. Purchase a few different bars and sample them before buying a family size supply. Remember NEVER eat food from the garden, fruit trees or berry bushes that has been exposed to flood water.
Water storage:
Plan A: There are many ways to safely store water and remember all water is good, except flood water. Even water barrels that may now have bugs can be used to flush and with added bleach, to clean. Water barrels and water bricks that stack are great ways to store water. The bricks can stack and take up little space while still being light enough to carry. A tabletop purifier will filter out most dangerous substances, but extra filters should be stored for a time of prolonged contaminated water.
Plan B: When your barrels and bricks are empty, and your filters no longer filter you will need a Plan B. Water bottles with filters are a good option. Water straws are not. If you have been warning of a disaster always believe the warnings, better to be ready than to wish you had prepared. A water BOB is a good solution when there is a warning. It is a large plastic bladder that you place in the bathtub and fill with water while you still have clean water. The water will be protected from bugs and dust and safe to drink.
Plan C: Soda bottles, bleach bottles (label “For cleaning and flushing only”), canning jars, purchased water are all good alternatives to filters and barrels. Mylar bags to store water are very susceptible to leaking and rodents love them.
Plan D: All the above solutions have limitations. Consider learning to purify water by distilling, filtering with sand and charcoal, using the SOLAS method and collecting rainwater. So often we forget to compile a binder with information on how to do these things until it’s too late.
Sanitation:
Plan A: Chemical toilets and composting toilets are great for emergencies but may be low on the priority list when budgeting.
Plan B: A much cheaper solution is a five-gallon bucket, with lid, heavy duty plastic trash bag, kitty litter and a potty seat. All these can be easily stored together taking up little space.
Plan C: When all else fails, a bucket lined with a plastic bag or digging a latrine are the plan. Would you know how to safely dig a latrine?
Remember human waste is hazardous waste and any method should be kept safe from children and pets. Label all bags and buckets as hazardous materials and dispose of them properly as ways become available. Don’t forget whichever method you use you will need toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizers. If you are using any of these methods, it means you don’t have water.
Security:
Plan A: A security system is no longer a huge expense. Many systems can be added to as funds become available. It is disgusting to think someone may try to loot your home during a weather disaster, but it happens every time. Civil unrest may also cause the need for security.
Plan B: If a whole house system is not in the budget right now, consider action activated lights, timers for indoor lighting, and security locks for doors. Changing the screws to longer ones on all door hardware and strike plates can make it almost impossible to break down a door.
Plan C: Landscaping can be a huge deterrent. No one wants to push through thorny rose bushes to get to a window. Place bells on doors and when they are opened you will be alerted. Add security signs to windows even if you don’t have a system. Place fake cameras in vulnerable areas.
Defense:
Plan A: Weapons and pepper spray are the most dramatic ways to protect your family. If you are adding a weapon to your preps, always take a class and get training on how to properly fire, clean and store your weapon. Many families do not want guns in the home so move on to Plan B.
Plan B: Wasp spray and bear spray have a powerful and long spray meaning they can be used from a distance against an intruder.
When stores finally open again and gas is once again available you will need cash.
Plan A: Keep several hundred dollars on hand in your home. Cash should be in small denominations, nothing over a 10-dollar bill. When ATMs and credit cards are not available cash is king.
Plan B: If you have not put aside cash or if you have run out, barter is Plan B. Consider now what you might stock up on to use as barter during an emergency. We all learned the value of toilet paper during the pandemic. What will people be missing that you could supply?
The disasters we have witnessed this year have been among the worst we have ever experienced. The year began with a record setting number of tornadoes, massive wildfires in Texas and New Mexico, on to flooding once again in Texas, New Mexico and Iowa and other states recovering from tornadoes. Recently it has been hurricanes spawning tornadoes, flooding and mudslides in 6 states.
It is time to review your plans. There is always an inexpensive plan to get you started as you save for a better one. The important thing is to get busy. If you can only afford the methods outlined here as a plan C do it. A plan C is always better than no plan at all.
If you own the Totally Ready Emergency Binder all of the preparations referred to in this article are in there with tips and directions. If you are just beginning a reference binder begin by searching reliable sources for information. Don’t forget previous Meridian articles.
Remember a Plan A is never enough. Now, Go and Do.
For help in meeting all your self-reliance goals join Carolyn at http://facebook.com/TotallyReady or her blog at Totallyready.com. Help with weekly challenges for preparing and storing food and disaster preparation are available on both sites. Carolyn’s Totally Ready Emergency Binder is available to purchase and download at Totallyready.com and can be purchased complete or one section at a time. Message Carolyn at the Totally Ready or Operation Ornaments Facebook page.
