If you live in the south you understand the importance of being prepared for storms and other weather related issues that arise from these storms. We all know to keep in stock a healthy supply of can goods, water, and candles. These are just some of the items we may need if we have to go without power or access to stores for an unknown amount of time. Most would think that a weeks’ worth of supplies will be sufficient to see them through a storm and others have stock piled supplies that could last them years. Depending on your wealth and your storage capacity the amounts of emergency goods we keep on hand may vary. With all the information that we have access too during times of foreseen disasters such as hurricanes, it leaves most of us well prepared to "weather the storm" if something drastic does occur and we are without these things for let’s say, a week. Have you ever thought about what you would do if some sort of unforeseen catastrophe happened? Would you be prepared to weather the storm, or whatever the disaster may be if it lasted more than a month, or even two weeks for that matter, what would you do? What if the circumstances were similar to those that occurred during Hurricane Katrina and the government was unable to assist. Would you be ready? This is a question that I have begun to ask myself more and more and the answer I always come up with is no.
These are crazy times that we live in. With the recent recession, unstable economy, and constant threats of terror some feel a disaster the likes that we have never seen is inevitable. You can go online and read information from economist and other proclaimed experts who have evidence to prove that a disaster, with repercussions that we have never experienced, is only a few years away. Some savoy business people are marketing strategies through the media and websites detailing their predictions, and laying out their evidence for these predictions. One of these is a commercial that I recently saw on ESPN that advertised a site called 3NewAmerical.com The ad said that my life basically depended on me hearing what they had to say, so I went to this site and reviewed the information. Some of the information seemed a little extreme and exaggerated, ex especially when it mentioned chaos and pandemonium in the streets. But is the information extreme or exaggerated at all? This is a question that we all have to answer for ourselves. I just know that my entrepreneurial mind is thinking daily on the lines of what can I do too not only survive but also grow during these predicted times.
Lamont Mason
Great post, I think it is better to be proactive than reactive. However you must inform yourself of the situations. Too many times people are lazy and don't want to do the research to find out what the best thing to do in the situation.
ReplyDeleteChris Todd
I agree. I also feel that too some ignorance is bliss. They would rather remain in the dark then to see what is taking place around them. Less Stress.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up several interesting points: the need to be prepared, the need to stay informed, and the need pick your information sources carefully and react accordingly. Instead of helping, much of the media provides a disservice by over-hyping the situation. There is too much “personality” on scene and limited true information. They seem to be out more for ratings and less the dissemination of needed information.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not think anyone can be fully prepared for the effects of a far reaching major disaster. It is possible to be prepared for the immediate future and to have an idea of what to do if the situation is longer lasting.
Part of the preparation process is long term and continuous in nature. Getting and keeping insurance up-to-date is one example of this. Another is having your house protection supplies in place; this will minimize the expenses in front of the storm. Lastly, being ready and willing to work with your neighbors; do not wait for a disaster to happen.
Personally I feel that my family and I are prepared for the short term and we have several longer term options available. We are lucky in that we have family in several locations throughout the panhandle.
I grew up here in the panhandle. My earliest memory of a major storm is hurricane Betsy in 1965. She skirted the entire panhandle of Florida before continuing on to Alabama, Mississippi, and ultimately New Orleans. New Orleans was badly flooded. My father was an insurance adjuster and was gone for three months working with people and their claims. More recently, I traveled to Texas in late July with my sister and my father. None of us had had a chance to re-visit the Mississippi coast since Katrina in 2005. Yes, the infrastructure has been re-established and things have been cleaned up, but it was very eerie driving mile after mile where from the coast to three blocks in houses and buildings are still not rebuilt. One of the strangest sights was the massive bank vault standing all by itself.
Yes, we can be prepared, but we can never be prepared for all possibilities.
Maryellen Bailey