There are numerous disasters that can befall people. Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Civil Unrest, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, even Bad Winter Storms. Few actually prepare for emergencies and set out to provide for their families in the event of a major catastrophe. For forty years I accepted what was coming to me. I took the attitude, 'If it happens, it happens".
After seeing the distruction brought to southern Florida by Hurricane Andrew, I began to change my view of preparing for disasters. Whole neighborhoods were wiped out, with only ashphalt streets and concrete foundations left to provide a clue as to what used to be a thriving community of families living, working, and playing together.
It is truly unfortunate, that you can hate your neighbor for not returning a shovel, but when total disaster hits, you end up living, surviving and working your way out of it, together. You become closer than some family members. A bond that says, 'We survived, We Won'.
After going through several huricane scares, something occurred to me. Why do people who live in an area that is prone to disasters, not rarely, but regularly, continue to panick and wait until the last possible second to prepare. Then do it over and over again, each time a hurricane bares down on them. People would wait until disaster was eminent and run to the grocery stores and load up carts full of the most ridiculous things. Or, go to the local lumber yard and buy wood to board up their windows. When the danger passes, the wood is thrown out and new materials were purchased for the next event.
When I was planning my move to the west coast of Canada, I started to prepare. I found there were 1200 earthquakes (though most were small) a year, volcanoes, tsunamis, avalanches, rock slides, mud slides and black outs. I took the challenge. Bug out bags were with my wife and I, always. We formulated a plan. The WHAT IF plan. Few people I talked to back then had even heard of a bug out bag (BOB). They laughed, and accepted fate.
It wasn't until we actually purchased a home that my wife and I started to think about disasters. In fact, she would roll her eyes when I joked about the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse (ZA). It was my way of dealing with all potential disasters, sort of a catchall phrase that was light-hearted but serious enough to make you aware, Things could happen. I know my wife was not as dedicated to the cause of preparing as I was when I would hear her co-workers make jokes about the ZA. I just laughed and asked them a simple question. "What will you do when the power goes out due to an EMP, or, an earthquake?" Most would joke and say they would come to our house. My response was simple. "Make sure you have the password, don't wanna shoot you 200 yards away by mistake". When they asked what the password was, I would pick a random word, and then inform them that the password changes daily. HAHA. One even asked if they could bring their dog. Not a problem, gotta have something to eat.
My wife must have started to do some covert research on the internet to see why I would be so adhement about having weeks of food stored up. She suddenly started to organize the supplies. I had somehow unleashed a monster (non-zombie type). She started to train in firearms, read everything about solar power, dehydrating food, storage, faraday cages. I was at a loss. She could read 50X faster than I. But I could build things. She is now organizing the neighborhood for community defense and long term sustainability. We will be prepared. Will You?
