When disasters strike
Disaster does not wait for you to get ready or prepared. Disaster can and does strike at any moment – usually when you are least prepared.
One situation – two very different outcomes. The question is – which outcome would you rather have?
The day begins beautiful. The sunrise is spectacular. The gorgeous red sky greets the early morning risers as they head off to work or on their early morning job.
Toward noon ominous clouds begin to roll across the sky. As the sky darkened, strong westerly winds begin increasing. By two in the afternoon wind speeds were approaching 50 (mph) miles per hour (80 (kph) kilometers per hour) with gusts as much as 65 mph (104 kph).
By 3 pm lightning created a spectacular light show as it lit up the darkening sky. Thunder reverberated over the landscape. As the lightning flashed hailstones ranging from the size of dimes to the size of grapefruits began pelting the town. The frequency of the hail falling began to increase.
Most folks are only mildly irritated by the weather, if they even noticed the storm at all. The time is now 4 pm. Most of the folks are heading home from work.
Above the noise of thunder and the howling of the wind a rumble begins in the distance. Steadily the rumble sound increases until it is an enormous roar as if a hundred locomotives where screaming along the tracks.
Out of nowhere a tornado dropped and began ripping and tearing its way through businesses and houses. Nothing is impervious to the tornado’s ferocious and terrifying power. Buildings, cars, signs, construction equipment -everything is ripped apart becoming dangerous projectiles and strewn across the town.
As fast it began – it ends, except for the increasing delude of rain. Rain pummels the ground. Creeks, streams and rivers soon overflow their banks
Bridges are destroyed as the rain swollen streams carry the debris laden waters ravenously downstream.
Two conversations occurring the morning of the storm
Jo and Brandon, two daughters – Kim and Sally
“Hey, I have a late meeting with the builders tonight.”
“Will you be home for supper?”
“No, probably not – don’t wait on me. I’ll grab something when I get home.”
“Okay, I have a showing this afternoon. I’ll ask Sarah to fix something for the kids.”
“Sounds great.”
“The weather report is calling for a chance of storms today. Did you order our Emergency Readiness Plan?”
“No, I’ll get to it. I’ve just been so busy and the cost. We’ll be alright. We’re always getting storms. I promise – I’ll get it as soon as I can.”
“Please don’t wait too long, okay?”
“Right, I gotta run. See you tonight.”
“Bye kids.”
“Bye dad.”
“See ya.”
Samantha and James, two children – Clint and Molly
“Good morning, sleep well?”
“Morning, yes and you?”
“Great.”
“The kids have soccer and softball practice this afternoon. Can yo up pick Clint up from soccer later?”
“Um, sure. I have an early meeting with a couple of new clients, but I should be able to get him.”
“Great, I have a couple of errands I need to run later. I’ll get Molly from softball.”
“By the way, there is a chance of storms later today. Remind the kids about the storm plan, okay?”
“Right, good idea. I’m glad we practiced last week.”
“Yeah, it looks like it could be a bit rough today.”
Outcome Jo and Brandon and their daughters
Jo, Brandon, and their two daughters did not survive the storm. When the storm hit they were not prepared. Flying debris killed Jo and Brandon instantly. Their daughters and the nanny were at home when the flood waters struck. Their lack of a plan prevented them from being prepared for the disaster when the flood waters swept through. Their house was struck by the flood’s full force. An Emergency Readiness Plan would have uncovered the potential for that danger and would have recommended an alternate location in the event of a flood warning.
Samantha and James and their children
Samantha and James did survive. Their children knew when the flood warning was issued they had to get to their safe area. Samantha and James knew where they would meet Clint and Molly. Both of them kept their Get Home bags in their vehicles. They were ready when disaster struck. Although all of them where banged up and cut up they were alive and able to help those around them.
One situation – two very different outcomes. The question is – which outcome would you rather have?
Too often we become so wrapped up in “life” we forget to live. When disaster strikes there isn’t a lot of time to get “ready.” Preparedness begins with a plan. Stocking up on food, water and supplies is important, but they won’t help you survive a disaster.
Surviving a disaster begins with knowing what to do when the chaos and calamity strikes following a disaster. Know what to do during a disaster begins with a plan. A plan allows a logical and methodical manner of being ready when disaster strikes.
A plan allows you to rehearse the actions necessary during a disaster. Rehearsing the actions needed when a disaster strikes enables you to build muscle memory. Muscle memory takes over even when chaos and calamity prevent us from being able to think clearly.
Ensure you, and those you care about, are ready when disaster strikes.
- Have a plan
- Rehears your plan
- Gather the necessary resources for a disaster
- Prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically
Disaster can strike us at any time. We cannot prevent the disasters from occurring or impacting our lives, but we can lessen the impact they have on our lives.
Contact Us
If you do not have a plan Contact Us or if you have a plan and would like us to evaluate your plan. We will help you.
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