Day After Disaster

Don't read this if you:
A. sent your kids to school today
B. Live in a large city
C. have a tendency toward paranoia

Against a morning sky, a mushroom cloud spirals heavenward. A nuclear bomb has detonated in the heart of Washington D.C., incinerating 15,000 residents in just 15 seconds. More than 50% of the population living within a 1/2 mile radius of the explosion is either dead or severely injured. The next 24 hours will determine whether the rest of the city lives or dies. To survive this horrific ordeal they will need a plan. And lucky for us--there is one. But will it work? For the first time on television, the Department of Homeland Security reveals the most detailed and comprehensive plan to save America should terrorists go nuclear. This chilling two-hour special delves into the complex and highly secretive world of disaster planning.
I set my DVR to record this interesting show last night, and had a lazy tv day, and decided to watch it. It is called Day After Disaster, it was on the history channel. I wish I had just stayed blissfully ignorant. Don't get me wrong, this was one of the best "make you get your butt in gear" promos I have ever watched. Alas, now I feel the need to get a teeny tiny bit "weirdo" and get some things to add to our list of survival gear. The Movie made me realize that no one may ever come for us. Also, if an attack has happened, the government not only plans for the "second attack" but expects it. And as always, it is not a matter of IF, but WHEN. 9/11 taught us that it can happen in a well planned & swift action. Today an 8.0 earthquake happened near Samoa, and a tsunami shortly after.Some places had only a 3 minute warming to get to higher ground.

Failure to Anticipate

Reading about it never makes it real does it. After two year of drought, Atlanta was hit with 20 inches of heavy rainfall in 30 hours, causing creek and rivers to overflow and flood surrounding areas. No one expected it, and many were not prepared. This happened in one day, people's lives were changed forever. I ask myself, what would I do in this situation? Las Vegas has a very real flood problem, water does not soak into the hardened earth as well as other places, and city streets become raging rapids of muddy, trash-filled water in minutes. We live on higher ground, but under the right conditions, my home (and yours) could be flooded within hours. If we were lucky enough to avoid the major rise in waters, there are other significant dangers. Power outages, lack of clean water, and breakdown in society. When the tsunami's hit the coasts of many Indian ocean countries, water lines and sewage lines were broken creating the perfect environment to spread disease. Temporary camps reported everything from cholera to acute diarrhea, mostly in children. After hurricane Katrina the super dome was filled with people. Some took there bedding and went to the walkways surrounding the dome because the smell the filth was too much, they just needed fresh air. Please, anticipate. Don't be caught in the pool of victims.

winner!

Ok, so there was only one person who entered, which is ok with me. I am after all just getting started with this whole thing! Congrats to Jill! Yeah!

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!!

oh boy, oh boy. I love a good giveaway. And although small, it is a good one. This book by Tony Nester is a great basics books on self-reliance.
Its got "Grit, Spit, and a whole lotta duct tape." (name that movie)
anyhoo, here are the down and dirty details. I am not gonna choose a winner, a number will be chosen from a web based random number generator (that's how they do it over at Pioneer Woman, and I likes it) To enter you need to do two things my friend.
First grab the code for the link button back to my site, or put me in your links, I need to increase readership so I feel like I'm not just talking to myself. Second, leave the answer to this question in the comments section. what is your favorite website you always end up browsing? and don't say facebook, Im already addicted & I need some new places to surf to, you are the most creative people I know.
The contest will end at 9 pm sunday the 20th & the winner will be announced on monday morning! 1 entry per person!

These boots were made for walkin'

Today between packing and cleaning, I was trying to think of something I would like to post today. I was getting shoes together for everyone when I realized, what would I do without my good walkin' shoes? Everyone has a pair of go-to shoesies, mine are a pair of Asics I've had since dinosaurs roamed the earth. Whenever I am doing some serious shopping or touring, I always take them. However, looking at them, they are worn. I wonder how much life is left in them. What if I needed to do so much walking in the future that my shoes wore through, and there was no way to get another pair? Don't roll your eyes and call me a doomsday-er! There are plenty of people around the world this very moment that call two pieces a bark on there feet a good pair of shoes! I think I will order a new sturdy pair of leather workin' boots today. I need them anyway to go out to the rez. (that is native lingo for the reservation) Good shoes are an important part of any preparedness list. Think about New Orleans, all those peeps walking out of there. Sloshing through muck, and dirty water, and then having to walk out, that is yucky, and blistery! Prepare yourself, with a good pair of shoes.

September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), a nationwide effort sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps. I am pleased to announce SimplyPrepare.com is taking part in this nationwide effort to encourage individuals, families and communities to prepare for emergencies. The Following is article is the kick-off to the campaign!
Are you ready or are you Ready?
By Rebecca Marquis, Acting Director, Ready Campaign

You may think that you have enough supplies in your pantry to make it through an emergency, but if you have to evacuate, do you have a to-go emergency kit that is easy to grab at a moment’s notice? If an emergency occurs, you might assume you can simply call your spouse or children to see if they’re okay, but what if the phone lines are jammed with others doing the exact same thing? When it comes to you and your loved ones, is having a plan that’s “good enough” good enough? The Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps encourage you to take a few extra minutes this month to plan for any emergency.

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and a good reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives.

This year, NPM focuses on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready. Preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry. Being Ready includes: getting an Emergency Supply Kit; making a Family Emergency Plan; being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses; and getting involved in community efforts such as Citizen Corps. Throughout September, activities and events will take place across this country to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement, such as first aid trainings, town hall meetings and much more.

For more information on NPM or for help getting your family, business or community prepared, call 1-800-BE-READY or visit www.ready.gov, www.listo.gov or www.citizencorps.gov, where you’ll find free preparedness resources such as Family Emergency Plan templates, Emergency Supply Kit Checklists, and much more. The Ready Web site also has a special sections for kids, ages 8-12, (Ready Kids) and small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business). Emergencies can happen at anytime and to anyone. Are you ready or are you Ready?