#17,207
On the heels of a record-setting blizzard across the eastern half of the nation, and record rainfall in parts of California the past couple of days, the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is forecasting two days of severe weather - including the possibilities of tornadoes - across the deep south today and tomorrow.
While not unheard of in January, this is the sort of pattern we'd expect to see more in March or April. Those living north and west of these areas are in for heavy snow, and the potential for a significant ice storm (see forecast map below).
For those on the west coast, another round of heavy rain is expected, which will compound the flooding already reported this past weekend. Over the weekend hundreds of thousands of customers in California and Nevada were without electrical power due to these floods, and more outages are possible this week.
Power outages as of 0530 EST Jan 2nd - Credit https://poweroutage.us/
It is important for your plan to include emergency meeting places, out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it (see #NatlPrep : Create A Family Communications Plan).
Together with adequate emergency supplies, a solid first aid kit, and an emergency battery operated NWS Weather Radio, these steps will go a long ways to protecting you, and your family, from a wide variety of potential disasters.
As this past month's blizzard illustrates, having alternate - and safe - ways to provide heating, cooking, and illumination can also be lifesaving. For some ideas on how do do this, you may wish to revisit A Cold And Dark Holiday Weekend For Millions Of Americans.
Unfortunately, the latest polling from FEMA indicates that the level of individual and family preparedness in this country has dropped markedly since the start of the pandemic (see below).
In what are likely overly optimistic self-assessments, less than half of those polled said they believed themselves to be `prepared' for a disaster.
While I can't predict what disasters will strike in 2023, or which communities will be affected, I can say with absolute confidence that millions of Americans will be faced with some sort of local disaster in the next 12 months.
Although where you live and your local threat environment may dictate some changes, the general goals for personal and family preparedness should include:
- A battery operated NWS Emergency Radio to find out what was going on, and to get vital instructions from emergency officials
- A decent first-aid kit, so that you can treat injuries
- Enough non-perishable food and water on hand to feed and hydrate your family (including pets) for the duration
- A way to provide light when the grid is down.
- A way to cook safely without electricity
- A way to purify or filter water
- A way to handle basic sanitation and waste disposal.
- A way to stay cool (fans) or warm when the power is out.
- A small supply of cash to use in case credit/debit machines are not working
- An emergency plan, including meeting places, emergency out-of-state contact numbers, a disaster buddy, and in case you must evacuate, a bug-out bag
- Spare supply of essential prescription medicines that you or your family may need
- A way to entertain yourself, or your kids, during a prolonged blackout
Disasters often boil down to unscheduled camping - for days, or sometimes weeks - in your home, in a community shelter, or possibly in your backyard. If you think of preparedness that way, it becomes far less daunting.
But you need to act now, before the next disaster strikes.
