Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness

Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (Full Version)

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vincentML -> Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 11:07:44 AM)
The loss of life and the destruction of property from Hurricane Sandy is lamentable. But the images of long lines of cars approaching gasoline pumps and the voices of people on TV complaining they need food and water, raises the question of individual responsibility. It's not like they didn't have sufficient advanced warning. So, what's going on here? Was the lack of individual preparedness because they haven't experienced storms in a long time in NJ/NY/CT? They have had a nor'easter now and again. Are they just oblivious? Or does the blame lie with the surprising magnitude of the storm? What do you think? What's your experience?

PrincessDarling -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 11:19:38 AM)
I have lived in NY since I was born. The news always says OMGGGG WE'RE GONNA DIE HUGE STORM OMG OMG WIND RAIN WIND RAIN. So after hearing this same mantra for years and years people do not prepare. My master didn't prepare either. Unfortunately this storm was the real deal. People are hungry, no power, no gas or food. shrugs

mnottertail -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 11:20:38 AM)
They had cleaned out shelves around them, and you can only store so much food and water in your house anyway, and not many have gas tankers lying around to fill, so once you stock up the available space (and you think better than knowing that you are going to be without electricity you dont buy a great deal of perishables) but I doubt the everyday typical urban dweller thinks that....hey, electricity for the gas pumps can go out, and water for the toilet wont fill if you have the muni pumps out and they cant get it to the towers and stuff like that.

Hillwilliam -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 11:28:11 AM)
Hurricanes are hard to prepare for. Before Andrew, I had water and food stored, car gassed up and visited the ATM to get cash. When it hit, The roof blew off, windows blew out and I lost well over 100# of supplies in a few seconds. Who knows where the hell they went. After a week or so, I was running low but was at least able to get some replacements. The problem is that those folks had never experienced a real hurricane and weren't ready for it. They thought those wimpy-assed lil Nor Easters were the real thing. Telling folks who have never been around one to prepare for a hurricane is like letting some back alley brawler who thinks he's hot stuff have a title shot against the reigning champ. You're gonna get punched in the face. HARD.

kdsub -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:12:40 PM)
As a testament to the preparedness of the affected area I would consider it a miracle that 8,000,000 + people can be without power and there be only a relative few cases of anger and panic. Have this strength of storm hit any other comparative concentration of humanity in the world and the death toll would be just as if not more devastating. There are some forces of nature beyond preparedness and our control… The true measure will be in the coming weeks to see how people help themselves and each other…And how our government aids in the endeavor. Butch

tazzygirl -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:25:14 PM)
Store shelves get wiped quickly. Not everyone is thinking in terms of power outage. The man here didnt. I had to remind him to get cash and canned foods that could be eaten without heat since we dont have gas. And even that is no guarantee that gas will be available afterwards. Hurricane prone areas know that gas stations will have water in the pumps after a heavy storm... gas up early. Water should always be kept on hand.. and fill the tubs and sinks before the storm hits.. never know how long you will be without water.. and its needed for more than drinking. Try flushing a toilet without it. Meds are also a necessity... pharmacies may be closed for days. Wet wood wont burn, so a fireplace will be little comfort if its not kept dry. ATM's may not work... grab cash. The man thinks its funny that I have hurricane lamps in storage... until the power goes out. Batteries and candles last only so long. And many people have gone to using their cars to charge their phones, which will drain the gas tanks eventually. People panic... especially when they are without power and water.

mnottertail -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:27:15 PM)
And if you have a water heater, you can get potable water from there at the relief valve or the flushing valve (which you might want to run thru the coffee strainer.)

MistressJude -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:32:51 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kdsub As a testament to the preparedness of the affected area I would consider it a miracle that 8,000,000 + people can be without power and there be only a relative few cases of anger and panic. Have this strength of storm hit any other comparative concentration of humanity in the world and the death toll would be just as if not more devastating. There are some forces of nature beyond preparedness and our control… The true measure will be in the coming weeks to see how people help themselves and each other…And how our government aids in the endeavor. Butch Not sure where you'd getting that news from but there is anger and panic. My family and friends in Long Island have been reporting incidents of looting, police guarding police stations, people jumping down everyone's throats, everyone freaking out on everyone else, people taking without sharing. They're saying it's so much worse than the news is even reporting and that it's literally a disaster area. Now with another Nor'easter headed for them this Wednesday I think that's going to be a real breaking point for people. It could cause a lot more damage than usual due to already weakened areas and slow recovery and some folks being told they'll be without power until Thanksgiving. There are people who are being awesome by offering surge protectors outside their homes for people to charge things, offering food and shelter and even a warm shower but compared to what's going on on the streets in reality these little kindesses aren't enough and people are getting vicious.

MistressJude -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:40:39 PM)
The last time we, in New York, got hit with a hurricane it was Gloria back in '85. Irene was the next one 26 years later - the area got complacent (false bravado.) What I don't understand is that you have soooooo much advanced notice with a hurricane that you can start shopping early and stock up hard. Not to mention most of these supplies can be obtained throughout the year. My dad only got 3 gas cans thinking it would be enough for both cars and the generator. Really? Where the fuck is your head at? Now they're fighting in 2-hour lines for gas and just now, after 2 hours waiting, was told they're empty just as they got to the pump. Police are there to prevent issues. People are using water bottles, home depot buckets, even coolers to fill up with gas - taking as much as they can without thinking of the guy behind him also needing it (and here is where rationing should be implemented.) I shake my head all the time when I see people fighting for food and water and injured because of flying glass. Get boards! Get tape! Get food! I'm in emergency management and I'm a little tense not being able to get to my family to help them but it makes me madder to know they don't listen when I told them to brace and what to do because they were so complacent in the past. My mother just said now once everything goes to normal they'll be buying a lot more of everything from now on throughout the year to make sure they're ready. Thankfully they do have plenty of water and supplies, it's just gas and power they're without and right now they generator is going but they're on the last container and only a very few of the stations have gas. Although the Gov just released waiver so tankers can get in without all the usual restrictions. Let's just pray a terrorist doesn't find this a prime opportunity to sneak something in. I'm sorry but I'm really friggin' mad at people who don't get their heads out of the sand. Not only is it bad for them but all the rescue workers and people who have to risk their lives to save them or handle the recovery.

tazzygirl -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 12:56:45 PM)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jCUrYY3lEk http://www.amazon.com/Plylox-Windstorm-Window-Clips-Wood/dp/B000H5VMEG No sense in waiting. Best to be prepared.

MistressJude -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 1:14:56 PM)
Thanks for posting that. I'm always looking for awesome information and this was very helpful. I've never been in a place needing to board up so never knew the actual logistics of it. THanks for sharing. quote: ORIGINAL: tazzygirl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jCUrYY3lEk http://www.amazon.com/Plylox-Windstorm-Window-Clips-Wood/dp/B000H5VMEG No sense in waiting. Best to be prepared.

vincentML -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 1:23:54 PM)
quote: I had to remind him to get cash and canned foods that could be eaten without heat since we dont have gas. Same here every Florida June, cash and gas . . . water, water, water, beans, peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, potato chips. Oh, and water, water, water. Can't say that enough.

MistressJude -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 1:25:27 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: vincentML quote: I had to remind him to get cash and canned foods that could be eaten without heat since we dont have gas. Same here every Florida June, cash and gas . . . water, water, water, beans, peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, potato chips. Oh, and water, water, water. Can't say that enough. And a manual can-opener! Everyone forgets that one. The Dollar Tree sells a significant amount of items for an emergency kit including 1 gallon jugs of water all for $1. I have a small note I made up about all you can get there. If anyone's interested in it, PM me it's a little on the longer side and don't want to flood the chat with a huge post.

tazzygirl -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 2:04:40 PM)
Its amazing how much people dont know. So for them to panic, I can understand. The first storm usually sets everything straight until the next generation.

subspaceseven -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 2:27:50 PM)
As much as I would like to say each owns the first week, I would have to agree that if it struck me and destroyed my home..my supplies would be gone..which is no ones fault..But I'm sure I would bitch but to blame those trying to help ...no as it is an accident no one knew know one could say who and nothing helped so to blame now in such times is wrong help is all that is needed, no matter of who you support No political crap just help

subspaceseven -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 2:31:48 PM)
or the states do as go the needs of the area..but why trust big government..they only have been doing disaster preparedness for years

blacksword404 -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 2:47:21 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: vincentML The loss of life and the destruction of property from Hurricane Sandy is lamentable. But the images of long lines of cars approaching gasoline pumps and the voices of people on TV complaining they need food and water, raises the question of individual responsibility. It's not like they didn't have sufficient advanced warning. So, what's going on here? Was the lack of individual preparedness because they haven't experienced storms in a long time in NJ/NY/CT? They have had a nor'easter now and again. Are they just oblivious? Or does the blame lie with the surprising magnitude of the storm? What do you think? What's your experience? This situation is probably going to get much worse. Many people in new york don't drive. At all. So they aren't mobile. Many had their homes flooded or otherwise destroyed. So it's cold and many don't have clothes anymore. No shelter. And not many options for getting to somewhere they can find them. Other that walking or a bike. (depending on how fast they can get the transit system back to normal). And the big thing. The northeast is closely packed. Hard to get tractor trailers in to deliver. And finding parking for all the supplies coming in from all over the country is going to be a nightmare. Add to that most businesses only keep 3 days of inventory to keep their taxes down. After 3 days you are fucked if you don't have trucks on the way. It will all come down to logistics. As far as them being prepared, they did have enough time to prepare but the northeast doesn't get hit by storms the way Florida does. Many of hem wouldn't even know how to prepare. It would be like telling people in southern California to prepare for a blizzard. They don't really have he experience.

dcnovice -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 2:51:53 PM)
FR Storm hype is a staple of DC life, and i tend to ignore it. That nonchalance stems in part from being only a block away from the diner and the supermarket. Monday afternoon, though, I called the diner and learned that they'd be closing in an hour. That stunned me, since I'd eaten there all through Snowmaggedon in 2010. So I hastened over for a late lunch, then picked up some groceries. Must admit, I was glad the next morning that I had.

cloudboy -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 3:02:11 PM)
Not exactly on your point, but I must say I got a kick out of this USA Today editorial cartoon. [image]local://upfiles/210115/58D12FA5A62F4B65BD959D362E3B8F4B.jpg[/image]

dcnovice -> RE: Individual Responsibilities for Storm Preparedness (11/2/2012 3:12:09 PM)
quote: Not exactly on your point, but I must say I got a kick out of this USA Today editorial cartoon. OMG! That is hysterical. Thanks so much!

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