The stories coming from the Northeast are heartbreaking. The enormous storm damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in New York City and New Jersey provide a stark reminder that being prepared for emergencies isn’t just a nice thing to do, it can mean the difference between life and death.The death toll and the human suffering being witnessed there provide alarming evidence that too many folks rely on the government during a disaster. The problem with this mind-set is that state and federal help may take awhile to come. Before that help arrives, you need to have emergency supplies to enable you to get through a crisis.
Many who were fortunate to remain in their homes after this storm find that they currently have no power, fuel, or gasoline to meet their basic needs. A generator, with an ample supply of fuel, a wood burning stove along with an sufficient supply of food and water would have enabled many to weather the storm and it’s effects with little problem. For those who were forced to evacuate because of the flooding they could have been prepared if they had an evacuation plan that included a bug-out bag or 72-hour emergency kit along with a supply of warm clothing and bedding. Better yet are those who own an RV like my truck camper. These home-on-wheels have all the essentials that you need to live comfortably while you are away from home. Just a few things to think about. If you wonder why folks like me and other are always beating the preparedness drum, events like Sandy, Katrina and the recent fires in the West provide the answer. If you haven’t starting prepping, the time is now to start.
As preppers, we always have two weeks of food stored in our trailer. Mostly dry food stuffs, but some canned, too. Gets rotated /used for the most part, but some is lost to time. Our water supply is 1 gallon bottles. The fresh tank is for washing and the toilet.
We know we could lose everything to a couple different scenarios, but our trailer is stored off site, packed and ready to go. Can be pulled with either of the trucks, if need be, and ditched in an emergency.
I like the idea of a camper, but it does limit cargo and living space. Still, it can get places we can't. Nice blog, man.
Thanks, I appreciate your comments.
You're right, Barbara. RVs not only give you a place to live, but also provide mobility to get you out of harm's way. The only drawback with an RV, of course, is the limited space they have to store extra food and water. But like you said, you can live a month in one until you need to replenish your supplies.
I thought about all us RVers during the storm – if people with RVs left soon enough to beat all the traffic, they would have been fine. They might have lost their houses, but they would be safe and comfortable in another area until the dust settles.
I think you're right about having extra food on hand – I've always had canned and dry food available just in case. And our tanks of water would last a while if we were super careful.
I'm sure I could last a month on what I keep on board in my little 24 foot motor home.