Yesterday Anh-Minh blogged last Friday's power outage. We too were without power for over eight hours. (Which is nothing compared to one person we know, who lost power for three days.) Since there had been such a huge media build-up to the storm, we were somewhat prepared...
We were actually more concerned about a relative's home -- it had almost been flooded during El Nino, and she had actually lost her car to water damage, so we made the following purchases and preparations (keep in mind that they weren't really meant for evacuation, but for being somewhat comfortable during a power outage):
Our preparations for our own home included the same preparations (except for the sandbags).
Since that time, we've been thinking a bit about what more we could have/should have done. We know we're supposed to have a battery-operated radio. And we should have had the phone number for PG&E written down somewhere. Other ideas, anyone?
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Comments (6)
There is a system that you can make fun of if you wish, but there is a lot to learn from www.flylady.com. She also has disaster lists etc...in the "control" journal. I'm still more of the crash and burn type, but some day I hope to fly.
oops. I'm tired. www.flylady.net.
Charged candelas for a disaster kit...only on AT. I'm afraid this site is quickly venturing into self parody.
I would also suggest a corded telephone, since it will still work in a power outage.
Magellan's (a travel supplies company in Santa Barbara where I live) sells a hand-cranked radio that you don't even need batteries for. It's a great idea, and great for disasters and 3rd world countries. But it comes in lots of different colors and has a cute style. Also, it's tiny, so you can leave it in your car and use it if you're ever driving in a disaster zone. http://www.magellans.com/store/Audio___Photo___RadiosAR106?Args=
As you don't have a battery operated radio, rather than purchasing one, consider purchasing a wind-up radio instead. They don't cost very much (in England, where I am anyway) and as they don't require batteries if you're without power for any length of time, you won't have to worry about the batteries going flat and not having spares. There are wind-up LED torches too, which have the same benefits of not having batteries to cart about and worry over.