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Over the past few weeks and in cities around The United States, the world has witnessed what is likely a cultural turning point in American history. Protestors, most of who are likely within the United States illegally, have staged noteworthy demonstrations castigating Congress for attempting to resolve the debacle in which this nation is now mired.
In the face of Katrina, a Reminder to the People of America Concerning Survival in a Time of Crisis.
It is your responsibility and your responsibility ALONE to ensure that you have ALL the supplies and materials you’ll require to survive on your own for at least 72 hours.
Hurricane Katrina will be remembered by the people of our nation for generations to come as the worst disaster to ever hit the country. Hundreds of thousands of people found themselves homeless, jobless, and with no other possessions than the clothes on their backs. It was four days following the end of the storm before any meaningful support and aide started to arrive in the most ravaged areas. But during those four days, we who were safe and dry in our homes far from the catastrophe watched with increasingly sickened stomachs as human beings either suffered the attempt to survive until help arrived or openly preyed on the weak and undefended. We realized and witnessed our worst nightmares as an entire region of our nation was reduced overnight to third world status. Civilization broke down.
There is no need to recount the atrocities displayed and committed. Many have already committed many words to what we saw and doubtless more will. Nor will I spend time exploring why resources such as school buses weren’t commandeered to assist the evacuation of those that didn’t have the means to flee. Monday-morning armchair-quarterbacking and 20/20 hindsight won’t help anyone. What I want to remind you of is your responsibility to yourself should you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
First and foremost you are responsible for your own safety and survival; not the city, not the state, not the federal government, YOU.
Most answered the call to evacuate. They took what little they could pack into a car and fled. But some, for whatever reason, chose to ignore the plea to evacuate the area and stayed behind. Those that evacuated are just as homeless, jobless and in the same regrettable position as those that stayed behind with one major difference, they’re alive, mostly safe and hopefully able to somehow find the will to start over and build a new life in a new place.
If in the future and for whatever reason, you find yourself in a position where you make the choice or have none and are forced to remain where you are during and through the aftermath of a catastrophe, you have the responsibility of caring for yourself and your family for the 72 to 96 hours that it will take to coordinate and get support into your area.
What are some of the things you’ll need? Well start with Food and water. Both must be in water-tight packaging and not require refrigeration. Food which does not require cooking is preferable as there is likely to be no power or fuel for doing so. And make sure to store these items in a location which is least likely to be affected by the conditions you’re trying to survive. Get a portable toilet and enough supplies to get through a week since human waste is one of the biggest dangers you’ll face in any shelter in-place situation. You’ll need clothing suitable for a variety of conditions and make sure you have a supply of all the medications you’ll need. Make photocopies of your most important documents, birth certificates, passports, driver’s license, insurance, etc and store them in plastic watertight bags with your food and medical supplies. Have an easy to carry tote bag or durable plastic sack that you can put these things in should you need. For more complete instructions, ask your local Red Cross chapter for the brochure titled Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit (stock number A4463) and then do all it recommends so that IF and when the time comes, you’ll have a better chance of getting through what is sure to be some of the worst days of your life. Having the chance to rebuild is MUCH better than not having the chance at all, but it’s up to you to hold on and hold up until help can reach you.
Related Links you might find of use:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.areyouprepared.com/emergency_guidebook.html
http://reluctant-messenger.com/terror-alert-survival-guide.htm