News for the Week 2024-09-30

The Prepared Support - September 30, 2024

News

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Hurricane Helene

First of all – My deepest sympathies to the people in Hurricane Helene’s way. You all have lost so much, and my heart goes out to you.

Second – For those of us not in the hurricane’s path, what a huge wake up call this is. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned this week:

1. When the authorities say get out of the way, weather’s coming, do what they say. Get out of the way!

2. Know your surroundings and how to get out in a hurry. 

3. Assess your current situation and be brutally honest with yourself. What CAN happen? What WILL happen, sooner or later? Time to be an adult and look reality in the face.

4. Make changes accordingly. No matter where you live, things are changing and we will all have to change, too. Our homes will be different, as will our power sources, our food supplies, and our relationships with our neighbors. Better to make those changes before disaster hits. A month ago, many folks in Appalachia had no idea how suddenly different their lives would be.

5. Have weeks of drinking and washing water saved up. Have plenty of food for you, your family, and to some extent, your neighbors. When downed trees cover the roads, or the bridges are washed out, where will you get groceries? Your own pantry may be it.

6. Keep your gas tank full. Then, if for whatever reason you have to leave, you can just leave. It’s  a big drag to sit in line at the gas station.

You get the picture. In Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and other states, the folks who were prepared are better off now than those who were caught flat-footed.

It’s heart-breaking how people are suffering.

Pay attention when experts say something big is coming. Face the scary potential and make the needed changes now. Prepare the basics ahead of time. In the aftermath, instead of finding yourself with nothing, try now to get yourself in a position where you can be of help to others.

Those are my big takeaways from Hurricane Helene. What did I miss? What do you think?

 

Lessons from a First-Time Boater

Live presentation by Seasons4 on what she’s learned about boating,  this Friday evening, October 4, on Discord at 6PM Pacific / 9PM Eastern. After the presentation, we’ll have a discussion about boating.

No prior knowledge is required, but anyone interested can learn more from this free, state-specific, online boating safety course.

https://www.boatus.org/free

Join our Discord now at this link so you’ll be ready when the event starts:

https://discord.gg/86PPUdfP?event=1257526091338354712

Prepper Chat Nights are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month. Recently we’ve started choosing topics in advance. If there are other topics you’d like to see, let us know either here or in Discord.