We hope that all who were impacted by Nemo, the blizzard that blanketed the Northeast with several feet of snow, are safe and sound. But the storm—which came only months after Hurricane Sandy hit the same region with dangerously fierce winds and rain– highlights the need for advance storm planning.
Hurricane Sandy knocked out electricity for 8.5 million people in 10 states. Some went without heat, electricity and water for weeks. As of this writing, nearly four months after the storm hit, approximately 2,000 households are still without electricity. Winter storm Nemo did not have the same impact, but tens of thousands went without heat and power, and two days after the snow fell, several thousand await the return of their electricity.
How will you get through the next storm? There are plenty of resources available on the web. Here are some you may find useful.
Survival experts recommend having a two-week supply of water on hand per person in your household. A two-week supply may sound extreme, but thousands impacted by Hurricane Sandy needed just that. And in 1989, thousands in San Francisco went without running water for 10 days after the Loma Prieta earthquake. One frequently-mentioned tip is to purchase cases of wide-mouthed, quart-sized glass containers to fill with water. By storing water in glass containers, for example. you do not need to worry about chemicals leaching into your water stored from plastic containers.
If that sounds too complicated, Costco offers a number of pre-made food and water supply kits that will keep you and family covered from three days to a year.
Food supplies can also be stored away. Non-perishable food, such as canned tuna, beans (all varieties), and fruit are some of the options you can consider. Just be sure to have a manual can opener on hand so you can access your supplies. The US Department of Agriculture has compiled a list of tips on food safety during a disaster. And don’t forget pet supplies and water!
Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, petroleum jelly, and antibacterial soap should form the basis of any first-aid kit. Flashlights, batteries, and a hand-powered radio and cell phone charger are other items to round out your disaster survival toolkit. The Weather Channel has put together a list of recommended home survival food and gear to have.
We cannot control Mother Nature, but we can do our best to protect our health in the aftermath of a storm by planning ahead.
Until next week, Stay Well!