Emergency Preparation

 

Recently, the Mid-West and the South have been besieged by tornadoes.  Recently one hit Joplin, Missouri.  Click here to see the devastation.  Slide the center bar to see the destruction.

New Year's Eve brought our first tornado---one touched down about a mile from us---we even found debris in our yard (house siding and bags high in the tree).  Then, we had another tornado Good Friday that hit Lambert Airport and the area.  Click here. So, last week, when another batch of storms hit, we heeded the warnings and went to the basement with our emergency kits.

Our church has an Emergency Preparation group mostly to prepare our church as an emergency shelter.  But, they also are trying to get the members prepared in their homes.   I put together two tubs last winter---one with flashlight, weather radio, hand warmers, cash, extra batteries and blanket. My ipad is an important tool because it has 3G so can be used for weather updates and internet. This is easy to throw in the car when we travel, too.

My parents were once stranded in a motel for several days during an ice storm.  So, this second tub with a couple of gallons of water also travels with us.  Above is coffee, canned ham, canned soups, milk, oatmeal, juices, tuna, and protein bars.  If we don't use it up, I will donate it to a food pantry and re-place it all next year.

Last week, we also took the tubs, shoes, pills, medical records and credit cards to the basement with us (those always travel with us).  Rachel suggested bike helmets, too, but that would have meant a fourth trip up and down the steps.  I just feel less anxiety knowing we have made an emergency plan.