Bugout/Disaster Prep. Thread

[slaterd]

Another thing to consider rather than a tornado or local event is something similar to the Carrington event in 1850. Yes its been nearly 150 years, but just last weekend we had a shave with a similar event though much smaller. This type of thing would FUBAR all of the western world for at least several months if not years to restore basic services and deliveries..

We came extremely close 2 years ago to having this happen again. Even at NASA they were saying if we were to be hit, which was relatively close, we would've been thrown back to the 19th century. NASA finally released this information just about a month or 2 ago. That shows that even IF the government or other agencies know of some kind of severe, impending threat, they will not tell us.

[mrsleeve]

Yep, you nailed it. (And yes I see what you're getting at)

The reason I have such derision for many of the "preppers" is many seem to think it's going to be a zombie hoard, Chinese/Ruskie invasion, martial law implemented by the Feds, or 1984.

you have to remember something though polite society will break down after about 72 hours the thin veil of civility and chivalry that keep out society mostly safe and running smoothly will be gone. Many of those not prepared well enough for a longer time frame than just a few days will start to turn to looking for those that are read for such an occasion and likely attempt to take your shit from you. (just read a fun article last night about Chimps and their natural aggression towards each other and use of coordinated group attacks on each other, only other species that does that is MAN. )

Now that said this is not likely going to be the situation on a local or even regional scale where help and supplies will be flowing in form other areas that were not affected by such and such event. But look at Katrina and Nawlins, where there was lots of looting and pillaging going on after a few days with out any type of law and order. While much it was consumer goods not so much necessities it would not take long for it to get to that point either. So the point of having a means to defend ones self, family and means to sustain them selves is a good idea to have in your plan, many take that side of things too far, but that is somewhat the lighter side of whole process and the "fan part" of it if you will. After all would rather count pails of beans and cans of chicken soup, while dusting and organizing them or shoot guns???

Another thing to consider rather than a tornado or local event is something similar to the Carrington event in 1850. Yes its been nearly 150 years, but just last weekend we had a shave with a similar event though much smaller. This type of thing would FUBAR all of the western world for at least several months if not years to restore basic services and deliveries..

[slaterd]

I'm the same way. I personally can't stand preppers who think the world is going to implode at anytime. Don't get me wrong, the redneck part in the back of my head hopes for a zombie apocolypse but...come on...let's be realistic.

[z31maniac]

What will you have in that shelter? I assume some way to store water, some food, medical kits, radio, flashlights? Usually when a town gets hit by a tornado it'll be multiple houses. If bad enough then the town is crippled and emergency service would be swamped. They may not be able to get to you and your neighbors quickly.

Yep, you nailed it. (And yes I see what you're getting at)

The reason I have such derision for many of the "preppers" is many seem to think it's going to be a zombie hoard, Chinese/Ruskie invasion, martial law implemented by the Feds, or 1984.

[slaterd]

What will you have in that shelter? I assume some way to store water, some food, medical kits, radio, flashlights? Usually when a town gets hit by a tornado it'll be multiple houses. If bad enough then the town is crippled and emergency service would be swamped. They may not be able to get to you and your neighbors quickly.

[z31maniac]

Our biggest threat is tornados.

Not much you can do besides hunker down and hope you don't take a direct hit. When we move, we will likely build an underground tornado shelter, or have one of the above ground ones that are anchored to the foundation.

[cale]

I don't prepare, but my pack is ready to go at pretty much a moments notice for the simple sake that it's easier to store that way and I have access to the means to protect myself. If the biggest threat to me (earthquake) actually strikes, I'll likely be fucked due to my proximity to the ocean anyways.

[SubDad]

Disaster preparedness starts small and never ends. It can start with not leaving the house without engaging brain, up through saying "Dress to walk" when you get your kids into the car to drive over the hill to Gramma's place (because it's 10 country-side miles and -20F, or even +10F in rain and wind - then packing rain ponchos and hats because your kids are tired of the speech. It goes up through stored water and firewood in the house to an armed camp equipped with a silo and violent friends.

The rule of 3: People need rescue inside: 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. (YMMV)

[slaterd]

Yes I agree 100%. However, in some cases awareness isn't enough and shit blindsides you. Regardless of the forecasts, not very many people expected last week to escalate as bad as it was. And since we've never experienced something to that degree it caught us off guard. Especially with the interstate. We weren't expecting the interstate to be affected as much as it was.
But anyways. Yes I do agree that awareness is key to disaster preparation and it's not that hard if you know what you're preparing for.

[z31maniac]

Yep, folks only knew that day, or possibly that afternoon that massive storms likely to cause flooding were headed that way.

I guess that's why we have received 3-4 day heads up on the next remnants of a hurricane to hit OK with the possibility of mass flooding. So guess what? I'll have food, water at the house, full propane tanks to cook, and ensure I don't have any business that requires to get me out this weekend. I don't have to worry about flooding in my neighborhood, but going many places outside of it could cause a problem.

You don't realize that we are agreeing that normal preparation isn't hard, it takes just a small amount of awareness and paying attention to developing situations.

[slaterd]

Not that it matters, but it was the fucking INTERSTATE that flooded. That hasn't happened in any sort of recent memory (if ever), and it was during the middle of rush hour traffic, people were stuck bumper to bumper while the waters rose around them. Dumb fucks is hardly the word...but then again you don't really know what you're talking about.

Going back to the preparedness point slater was trying to make, if these drivers had a "car bag" with basic supplies like a change of clothes/shoes in a dry bag, first aid kit, some energy bars and clean water would've made this situation or anything similar where you're stranded much less critical.

Being prepared doesn't have to mean you have years of food stockpiled. It means you're ready to handle nearly anything that could happen to you. Having a tire iron, working jack and inflated spare tire. Having self defense to protect against assaults. Having a small first aid kit and the skills to help out. Having a pocket knife to cut a seat belt. Having a small flashlight to look for lost items. Then again, the people who know this have already done it and those that don't will just troll as usual.

Thank you...that's exactly what I'm trying to say. I guess people don't understand the severity of situations until they're in the middle of it. It's easy to think of decisions when you're not being affected. "Oh, there were flash flood warnings, you should've taken the service streets." Right, because I wasn't locked in the interstate by a massive traffic jam. The way Phoenix streets flood is the right side/ curb side of the streets always flood. So the lanes leading to the off ramps were flooded out and you couldn't exit. So it was either push through or wait for someone to pull you out. Eventually on 51 they had drivers turn around on the interstate to take the exits.
And Maniac...this was declared as the worst storm/flooding in Phoenix history.
I have an emergency road side kit in the trunk of both my cars which include blankets, flashlights, tough nylon rope with attached tow clips, emergency cones, flares, tire patch kits, and a tarp. I was prepared but luckily I was able to make it through the traffic because I left 3 hours early and it was before traffic was at a complete dead stop.

[slaterd]

Yes, actually.

https://www.cityoftulsa.org/city-services/flood-control.aspx

Tulsa has the most developed system of flash flood prevention measures in the country. It kept happening so they did something about it. Much like many people have tornado shelters in this part of the country.

Your example about the highway is a lack of awareness. It wasn't a surprise that MASSIVE amounts of rain were coming your way and that Maricopa county also has a history of flash floods that dates back decades.

http://www.fcd.maricopa.gov/education/history.aspx

In this part of the country when massive weather is heading this way, people go home BEFORE it hits. You mean to tell me before you set out on your drive the weather didn't have your county under a Flash Flood Watch or a Flash Flood Warning? I seriously doubt the NWS hadn't issued those.

Or possibly it's just that I come from a part of the country that frequently sees extreme weather so we know not to take risks like going out in the car when there is a flash flood warning.

I left for work 3 hours early and I still got caught in that. I have dealt with flash floods before and it takes a gamble. When water rises on a highway by 1 foot within 15 minutes....it's not lack of awareness. If you're in traffic and you have no where to get out with the water rising that high...was it my decision? No. Yes, we got the flash flood warnings but you have to consider that Phoenix is monsterous. If everyone were to stay off of the highway because of a flash flood warning then there would be traffic to the parking lot every time it rains.

[ParsedOut]

Not that it matters, but it was the fucking INTERSTATE that flooded. That hasn't happened in any sort of recent memory (if ever), and it was during the middle of rush hour traffic, people were stuck bumper to bumper while the waters rose around them. Dumb fucks is hardly the word...but then again you don't really know what you're talking about.

Going back to the preparedness point slater was trying to make, if these drivers had a "car bag" with basic supplies like a change of clothes/shoes in a dry bag, first aid kit, some energy bars and clean water would've made this situation or anything similar where you're stranded much less critical.

Being prepared doesn't have to mean you have years of food stockpiled. It means you're ready to handle nearly anything that could happen to you. Having a tire iron, working jack and inflated spare tire. Having self defense to protect against assaults. Having a small first aid kit and the skills to help out. Having a pocket knife to cut a seat belt. Having a small flashlight to look for lost items. Then again, the people who know this have already done it and those that don't will just troll as usual.

[z31maniac]

Have you ever heard of flash floods? Have you seen them in action especially in places like Phoenix? They are called flash floods for a reason. Look at my first picture...no water on the road....15 minutes later it was nearly a foot across the whole highway. So these people weren't intentionally making stupid decisions.

Yes, actually.

https://www.cityoftulsa.org/city-services/flood-control.aspx

Tulsa has the most developed system of flash flood prevention measures in the country. It kept happening so they did something about it. Much like many people have tornado shelters in this part of the country.

Your example about the highway is a lack of awareness. It wasn't a surprise that MASSIVE amounts of rain were coming your way and that Maricopa county also has a history of flash floods that dates back decades.

http://www.fcd.maricopa.gov/education/history.aspx

In this part of the country when massive weather is heading this way, people go home BEFORE it hits. You mean to tell me before you set out on your drive the weather didn't have your county under a Flash Flood Watch or a Flash Flood Warning? I seriously doubt the NWS hadn't issued those.

Or possibly it's just that I come from a part of the country that frequently sees extreme weather so we know not to take risks like going out in the car when there is a flash flood warning.

[slaterd]

Incorrect.

Those are dumb fucks that drove onto flooded streets. That has nothing to do with being "prepped for disaster," that's people without a modicum of common sense.

Driving into water of unknown depth is incredibly stupid.

Have you ever heard of flash floods? Have you seen them in action especially in places like Phoenix? They are called flash floods for a reason. Look at my first picture...no water on the road....15 minutes later it was nearly a foot across the whole highway. So these people weren't intentionally making stupid decisions.
Natural disasters blindside populations everywhere all the time. So preparing for a known possibility of a disaster in your area, regardless of where you're at, is still smarter than just rolling over when it comes.