You Can Prepare For a Natural Disaster

“If a problem can be solved there is no use worrying about it. If it can’t be solved, worrying will do no good.” Dalai Lama

Home sick, watching the world news on TV, Kleenex soaked with tears of sympathy and a runny nose, my friend Christine phones in the updates to me on a daily basis. She is most impressed with how the Japanese people are picking up their lives and pitching in to clean up the destruction caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami. We talk about how we would react if a natural disaster were to occur in our community. We agree that our community should be prepared way ahead of time to survive an act of nature. We are aware that taking the steps to do so makes sense, but too often those best intentions succumb to human procrastination and might never get done.

According to Oxfam International each year brings 400-500 natural disasters worldwide, up from 125 a year in the 1980′s. By 2015 we can expect a 54 percent increase in the number of people (375 million) affected by climate disasters and this could overwhelm humanitarian organizations’ ability to respond quickly. There is no way to know where or when a natural disaster will occur, or if it will happen as a flood, a hurricane, a tornado, or an earthquake. However, rather than feel helpless and anxious, you can take some important steps to prepare your environment for the possibility. Once you know you have done everything you can, then relax and get on with living your life. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has published a check-list of things each and everyone can do in case of an emergency. Read the excerpt on the next page.

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Sonny H.

12:34AM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

Thanks for the information.

send a green star

Jennifer C.

4:49AM PDT on Aug 30, 2011

Excellent article. Thanks for sharing.

Lynn C.

5:42PM PDT on Jun 7, 2011

This was a good article. Alexandra Rodda made a good point about thinking out the steps you can make during a crisis. I learned this when taking diving classes. Imagine an occurrence and then think through what you would do to mitigate the circumstances. Having a plan in mind already is steadying and keeps you from panic, which is the real killer under any circumstance. Alexandra's idea about using plastic bags to stay afloat is a great example, just like the navy emergency flotation device - a pair of pants with the ankles tied and filled with air will help.

Alexandra R.

12:21AM PDT on May 2, 2011

Thank you. I like the bit about designated meeting places and the out of state friend or relative to ring.
Also, in case of flood, if one does not have a floatiation vest, one could construct one out of inflated plastic bags. I am surprised that in the Queensland floods nobody had that idea.
Maybe during a disaster one cannot think properly, so being well prepared is doubly important.

Danny M.

4:16AM PDT on May 1, 2011

Thanks!

Tiffany D.

11:06AM PDT on Apr 29, 2011

Great aconsejos

Brandon C.

8:45AM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

Great info!

carlee t.

9:31AM PDT on Mar 29, 2011

noted thx

Jon H.

6:42PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

No one is really Prepared for any kind of disaster until last minute cause it's a least expected thing but when it does happen, be of sound mind and alert so you can help yourself as well as others if you have to.

6:40PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011