Tornado/Storm safety

12 years ago

The link on GW re: Go Bags didn't work very well for me, so I'm posting a few thoughts/suggestions.

Some background: I'm in "tornado alley", but lately, that could be the whole country! For our Neighborhood Watch meeting this month, I asked for a speaker from the County Emergency management office to speak. Some WONDERFUL information.

We've all read, I'm sure, about having emergency bags packed (water, meds, foods, etc). I had read - somewhere, in the past - about having a whistle. Some of you may remember when Pitcher, a small mining town in extreme NE OK, was literally blown away 3-4 yrs ago. Mr. K related that one lady, in her emergency backpack, had not only a whistle but a rubber mallet. When she couldn't get out of the debris, she blew the whistle and knocked steadily with the hammer!!!! THAT was what lead searchers to her!!! I would never have thot of the hammer/mallet, but it makes complete sense. Mr. K said that even with wind & other noise around, researchers will hear the knock-knock-knock of the hammer.

A poster on another forum I frequent added these thoughts: "On our military post their motto is "Get a Kit, Make a Plan". They have kits that you can purchase but i've also seen kits put together in a large plastic tote to keep in your tornado room. They include things like flashlights, batteries, hand crank radio, water, crackers, peanut butter, non-perishable snack items, meds, blankets, extra set of clothes for each person, shoes for each person, a utility tool like a swiss army knife, battery operated weather radio, etc."

I'd add a suggestion that we remember plenty of diapers, etc for the littl'uns, wipes for all us (at least we could wash our faces); remember to check dates on the food & meds & rotate them.

I had to share this tip. IMO, the recommended 1 gal of water per person/pet for 72 hrs isn't enough, but it sure would be better than nothing. Please add any tips you may have.

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Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
Very good suggestions, Jay. I'm working on a box to keep in our 'safe' closet (under the stairs). I will absolutely add a whistle and I have a mallet.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
When I was living in Oklahoma I always had a kit in my safe room and my important stuff in sealed containers that float so if they get flooded hopefully they will survive.
Here I have not done that yet and I really should. I do have my important papers and stuff in a case up on the very highest shelf in the closet. That is one tip to put anything of importance in sealed containers preferably that would float and put them up high so if the water comes up it may not get that high. If the house is demolished being in a sealed container may protect them some.
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dees_1
12 years ago
Please don't forget to add pet necessities to you list. Can't forget about our other loved ones.

One of my safe areas is a spare pantry where I store cases of water and other non-perishable food. I keep an extra bag of bird food and cat food there as well, which I rotate into use.
sjerin
12 years ago
Raven--what do you use for a sealed container? Do you just mean plastic bins or something else?
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
Yes but good ones that are water tight. I have some of my old tupperware that I use actually. I seal my papers in zip lock bags into the container.
If you have ever gone water rafting you make sure that your stuff is in something water tight and floats! Same principal here. It helps keep stuff fresh too.
Cherryfizz
12 years ago
I know last night when we had tornado warnings I had my bag packed to go down the basement including extra water, pet food and pet treats. When we have those warnings I make sure I have my shoes on, purse and identification handy and my rings on my fingers LOL I also have a transister radio with extra batteries that I keep down the basement. We are lucky and the Detroit river tends to put a break to some of the tornado action that happens in Michigan. Last night around dinner time Dexter, MI was hit by a good sized tornado but lucky for us we ended up in a clearing between 2 severe storm cells. Skies were pretty green for a few hours.

Anne

Tornado/Storm safety

Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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