Friday, May 5, 2017

Preparing for Disaster #FridayReflections

Nature taught us a lesson Monday.
Trees - Friend or foe?
Our area was hit by a severe thunderstorm Monday.  Thankfully, there was no tornado, but winds brought down hundreds of trees, and left over 17,000 people without power.  The apartment complex where "Bil" and my mother in law live lost power.  And Bil, who is scared of thunderstorms, was frightened.

We were under a state of emergency for almost two days, as many roads were impassible right after the storm.

In fact, on the route you have to take to my mother in law's complex, a tree fell on top of a house.  It wasn't completely removed until yesterday.  

Another local relative was able to take my mother in law and "Bil" in temporarily, and it made me think.

I wish I could be great at organization, and for anticipating.  And maybe I could wish for the ability to see into the future, while I'm busy wishing.

Our loved ones were not prepared with bottled water or with adequate flashlights/lanterns. 

Why hadn't we thought of that?  For that matter, we weren't that prepared, either.  We can (and have) had Bil stay over, but we aren't equipped for an overnight stay of my mother in law. 
Imagine this tree falling on your car
So what if she, and her family here, had all lost power, or had a tree fall on their house, or have been trapped in their neighborhoods by impassible roads?

Today, I went online, and found these two sources - one for those like Bil, who are autistic - and one for pet owners. 
http://www.monarchcenterforautism.org/safety/disaster-preparedness-tips-autism
Now, all we have to do, with everything else swirling around us, is implement some of these suggestions.  Just one more thing to add to our "to do" list.

Prepare for disaster.

Linking with #FridayReflections  at Everyday Gyaan.

Today's prompt:   "The thing you most wish you were great at."

Monday I will post the Reflection post for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  I invite you to come back Monday.

8 comments:

  1. Hi - that sounds really difficult - I do hope things can be sorted out ... nature can stagger us sometimes. Take care ... and all the very best - Hilary

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    1. Nature is so powerful and you tend to forget it until times like last week. Thanks, Hilary!

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  2. There's so much to think about and plan for with the aged, those who need care and for our pets.
    Often we can't go on holiday because our pet sitter is all booked out.

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    1. Having others (human or fur) depending on us is a huge responsibility. Thank you for stopping by, Corinne.

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  3. Can we ever be prepared for disasters? I dont think so but yes a bit of planning like water and flashlights is a must! I feel for your and your BIL.

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    1. Having been through a disaster in 2011 - no, you can't truly be prepared. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

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  4. Don't be hard on yourself. Bottled water has an expiry date. Flashlights have to be routinely checked to see if the cells inside are ok or not. And haven't you heard of the adage - a watched kettle never boils? Disasters never strike when you are prepared for them, else they won't be disasters!

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    1. Yes, bellybytes, but I should know better. And already, I am back in the vortex of everyday life. Will I carry through?

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