Prepare and Thrive: Personal Experiences in Natural Disasters

Natural disasters may seem unpredictable, but being prepared can make all the difference. Personal experience can provide valuable insights into what measures are effective in managing the chaos that ensues during such events. Here, I'll share my own story and offer practical tips for similar preparedness.

Choosing and Preparing Your Home

Selecting a well-placed home is the first step in disaster preparedness. I chose a location with a higher elevation than most, and elevated my foundation by an additional two feet. This helped mitigate flood risks. Additionally, I used reinforced concrete blocks and bermed the soil six feet around the first floor to added protection. The second floor comprised 11/4-inch tongue and groove plywood with 3/4-inch oak flooring, a combination that added structural integrity.

While I won't delve into my well generator, greenhouses, fish ponds, or expansive garden, these also played a crucial role in my preparation. However, the most critical aspect was maintaining a year's supply of essential food and supplies in case the disaster lasted longer than expected.

Essential Kits and Documents

Beyond the structural aspects, a well-rounded disaster plan includes essential kits and documentation. A go bag is a companion for the unforeseen, packed with essentials like water, first aid supplies, and hygiene items. Having a clean water filtration system can ensure you have access to safe drinking water in emergencies. Always keep a predetermined meeting point in place, just in case family members are separated during evacuation. Lastly, keep important documents in a securely accessible place—not in a locked safe but somewhere your family can quickly get to, such as a tote in your vehicle's trunk.

My family had a well-thought-out evacuation plan, complete with multiple routes to ensure we could reach a safe destination. I kept essential documents and emergency supplies in the trunk of my vehicle, ready for use. We were evacuated a few times in 2017, and when it no longer seemed necessary, we always stayed ready, as we never knew the outcome of an approaching disaster.

Real-Life Preparation During a Hurricane

During one particularly nasty hurricane, we anticipated the worst and completed all necessary preparations, including boarding up windows and securing doors and other loose items. However, to our surprise, the hurricane dropped to a Category 2 and we decided to stay home. Our backup generator provided only basic power to the refrigerator and lighting, forcing us to face the night with no air conditioning and 90-100% humidity in Houston.

In our efforts to stay cool, we visited local home centers and appliance stores in a last-minute search for a small window air conditioning unit for the bedroom. Unfortunately, these units were sold out everywhere. Desperate, my wife turned to Amazon, where she found a window unit with Next Day delivery. The following day, we were amazed to see our FedEx driver deliver the unit just as the storm's leading edges reached us.

This little unit proved invaluable; it ran continuously for over a week before power was restored, and my neighbors could only gaze in envy at the cool comfort it brought. The lesson here is that having a backup plan and staying prepared can truly make a difference in the lives of those you love.

In conclusion, preparation is key when it comes to natural disasters. By following these tips and learning from personal experiences, you can ensure that you and your family are better equipped to handle the inevitable. Don't wait until disaster strikes to start preparing; the time to act is now.