WHAT IF?
Most of us have been very fortunate! We have read about tornados – but have
never lost our home to them. We have seen pictures of starving children – but
have never gone hungry for more than a day. We may have even heard the sound of
gunfire – but no one in OUR family has ever been struck down. We may have been
told by parents or grandparents about the terrible Great Depression – but we
have only experienced mild inflation our entire lives!! And, of course, America
never has been and never will be invaded or subject to sustained attacks by a
foreign power. We hope!!
Furthermore, we have our college degree or a professional certification and have
seldom been out of work for more than a couple of weeks. We own our home, have
several cars, belong to the right club, the right church, give regularly to
charity, and have a network of friends, family and contacts that can always see
us through any temporary setback that might come along. Why should we worry?
The following scenarios are not new, they have been mentioned before at
different times and in different places. What we ask you is, what if you or your
family were to face one of these situations?
1. Several regions in America have been told that it is not a matter of if, but
rather WHEN a highly destructive earthquake WILL OCCUR. What if:
- You cannot get home from work or a meeting because the bridges were knocked
down?
- You have no electricity because the primary power station was destroyed?
- You cannot call anyone because electricity is off, perhaps for a week or more?
- Your refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances do not work – no food preservation, and no way to cook what you have?
- City water pumps cannot run for lack of power, so you cannot bathe or drink?
- It is winter and your furnace does not heat your home without electricity?
- You manage to get to the supermarket and find that looters have gathered up
and ran with all the available food?
- Your family members were injured by flying glass or falling objects and you
have no way to get them to the hospital? Even if you were to get there, the
hospital is full and only functioning with limited resources as well.
2. Much of America is subject to powerful tornados, hurricanes, or powerful wind
storms. Maybe you have been lucky for the last 30 years, still you have heard
the sirens or received warnings that a bad one might be headed your way. What
if:
- You wake up to a horrible shrieking sound, like dozens of locomotives headed
towards you, and you see your roof flying away, along with clothing, bedding and
other loose items?
- Do you have plans for how to make sure your family members are all gathered
together at a safe place?
- Is there anything left of the food left in the pantry?
- Do you have flashlights or lanterns, warm and dry clothing?
- Are you part of a network of emergency contact people so that your status and
needs can be quickly passed on to those who might help you?
- You come home to find that your neighborhood was destroyed?
- Can you quickly turn off or confirm that your natural gas line is turned off?
- Do your family members know where to gather?
- If it is still raining (a likely situation), do you have dry, warm clothing
available for yourself and all your family members in a safe, accessible place?
- Are all in your family up-to-date with tetanus and other inoculations?
3. We have seen from 9/11 and other violent acts around the world that there are
plenty of mean and vicious people ready to wreak havoc through terrorist acts –
even here in the USA. Such acts could be directed against sensitive parts of our
daily support system, such as destroying vital points in the vast network of
highways. These carry all of the food and regular goods that we have grown to
expect on our store shelves. Question: have you ever noticed the size of your
favorite stores back room, where stockpiles of food could be kept? These are not
warehouses, but only transfer points, where items are taken from trucks and put
on the shelves. Most of the things we will buy next week are enroute to the
store right now. What if key transcontinental roadways were crippled by either
terrorists or earthquakes?
- Do you have food to support you, your family, and possibly friends and
neighbors for a week or more?
- Do you have enough fuel in your cars and/or in approved storage to provide you
with transportation?
- In light of the loss of supplies, are you prepared to pay the higher costs for
food and fuel that might be demanded?
4. Wildfires, arson, lightning strikes, aircraft crashing on your house, a
flood, or some other disaster might suddenly make you and your family
temporarily homeless. Have you given thought and planning to what you might
need?
- Do you have sufficient cash reserves to handle the cost of replacement
shelter?
- Do you carry insurance policies that cover catastrophic events, or is there a
blanket “act of God” clause that will get them off the hook in the event of your
loss? If so, are you prepared for that?
- Have you considered keeping a stockpile of food, clothing, blankets, and other
emergency essentials at some place away from your house, so they could be
available if your home-based preparedness items were suddenly gone, along with
your home?
- Documentation can be critical. Have you made copies to be kept in a safe place
for your important papers, including:
- Licenses for driving, flying, carrying weapons, etc.
- Marriage licenses and certificates, divorce decrees, court orders, etc.
- Birth certificates
- Vaccinations and other medical records including prescriptions
- Passports, immigration documents, etc.
- Financial records including bank accounts, investments in stock and 401k
ownership, property deeds, Last Will & Testament, etc.
- Proof of patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property
- Vehicle registrations
- Insurance records
5. You have worked for years and are looking forward in ten years or so to
retirement. Suddenly, your company is bought by another and “your services are
no longer needed.” Or…you were injured in an auto accident and have months of
healing ahead of you before you are able to return to work.
- Do you have food and financial reserves to cover several months?
- Can you cover mortgage payments, car payments, insurance payments, utilities
etc.
Conclusion: There will always be potential disasters or tragedies in the unknown
future. It is very important for you to carefully consider and prepare for each
of the many types of calamities that might happen to you and your loved ones.
Yes, things happen, but if you are prepared, any disaster can be turned into a
positive experience.
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