Our recent windstorm and lessons to be learned
Although last December's windstorm did not affect us severely here in Syracuse as in other parts of the county, it should be a clear wake up call of what could very easily happen here to us. Interestingly, our last Syracuse City emergency drill dealt with a microburst disaster. Do we actively participate in our city emergency drills or are they a bother to our busy schedule? Today I would like to list lessons learned from our recent windstorm and other things we can do to prepare for this realistic disaster:
1. Always keep your car at least half full of gas. When power is out, so are our gas stations.
2. Stores may not help you out if they are out of power too.
3. The city or county may not address your emergency problems right away.
4. Prepare immediately for a long haul while you can. Find your flashlights, things to keep you warm and
how you will deal without power for a while. Don't wait until night or when they are needed.
5. Have several flashlights and batteries handy.
6. Know how to check up on your family and loved ones if power is out.
7. Keep you cell phones fully charged.
8. Flashlight apps on cell phones were very handy but drain your battery down faster.
9. Some people went without power for 5 days. Think of all the ways that would affect you in your home in
December (food, refrigerators, stoves, furnaces, lights etc.)
10. Having heavy duty visqueen plastic for roofs or windows on hand. Plywood pre-fitted for windows that
blew out would have been nice for many people. 2x4's on hand could also be helpful.
11. Duct tape, have lots of duct tape on hand.
12. Know how to shut off your utilities and have numbers handy to call the gas, electric or water companies.
13. Some people would benefit in having chainsaws with extra gas.
14. Give a helping hand if you can, it's always appreciated.
15. There are many other lessons that could be listed, but this is a start in getting one to think.
16. Count your blessings. Things could have always been worse.
I challenge you to take some time in a family home evening and discuss how your family would handle such an event and work towards being better prepared.
