Ask the Readers: Are You Prepared for a Natural Disaster in Your Area?
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Yvonne, Pam, and Karen for winning this week's contest!
Whether it's earthquakes or hurricanes, tornadoes or volcanic eruptions, there's a risk of natural disasters wherever you go. While there's no way to stop a natural disaster, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage done as Mother Nature runs its course and to speed up recovery as you get back on your feet.
Are you prepared for a natural disaster in your area? What steps have you taken to ensure your family's safety in case a natural disaster hits? Do you have a recovery plan for the days, weeks, months after a disaster?
Tell us if you're prepared for a natural disaster and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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We did just fine when Superstorm Sandy took out the power for a week. I camped a lot when I was younger and I'm married to an Eagle Scout. The kids weren't as resilient with their electronics down.
We're not really prepared for natural disasters other than having insurance.
I am not really prepared for a natural disaster
Right now I would say I'm not really prepared, but I plan to remedy that this year. The worst is losing power in the winter, so that's something I worry about a lot.
We have sufficient food and water to last us a few weeks. We also have a lot of candles, flashlights and batteries. And cash on hand.
I am not ready for a Natural Disaster! I need to get ready in case it happens.
I have most of what I might need in a disaster. I have the radio, emergency kit, water, and other things. I am usually prepared because of the amount of travel I had to do when I worked. I kept those items in my car routinely. They have come in handy.
I could do better. I have a first aid kit and blanket in the car for winter, but no stockpiled provisions at home if I was snowed in.
No, I definitely don't feel prepared. I've started getting supplies together but it's just a start.
No, I don't feel prepared.
We recently moved so I must admit, we are probably not that prepared. Definitely something to think about!
I live in the desert SW. I choose to live in a place that is not at risk for hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or flooding. Well, except for floods of Californians, anyway. ;)
We're sort of prepared. We have food storage, some (but not much) water storage, some (but not much) wood and gasoline, a generator, 72-hour kits, flashlights, batteries, emergency radios, electronic copies of our most important documents, a list of important phone numbers, local and out-of-state emergency contacts, and some training.
I'm partially prepared for a natural disaster. I have insurance and a few emergency items but I need to get a full emergency kit.
I try to stock up on canned foods and jugs of water, and recently invested in some water purification gear for camping that should come in useful during a disaster. It's still scary to think about though!
I am not ready for a natural disaster. I need to start thinking about starting.
I don't think I'm completely prepared for a natural disaster. I do have nonperishable food and water and ways to prepare food without electricity, but I think that would last a week at best. I'd have to learn about what's needed long-term after a natural disaster first.
I am not really prepared or have done anything special but I do have key items I would need like extra water, food, flashlights, etc..
We practiced last week when a tornado was headed right for us. We were very lucky and did not get the full force of the storm. We learned we need to do a better job of being prepared and that 4 people, 4 dogs and 2 cats do not fit in our bathroom! Time to make better plans.
Yes, prepared. I maintain a food storage, first aid kits and other emergency supplies in our home. We have a generator hook up to our house and other necessary tools such as chain saw, cooking stove, tent and gear. Its so important to be prepared. Don't wait, do it now!
Where I live we don't really get natural disasters. The rest of the state has occasional tornadoes, but I'm in the city with tall buildings that are so close together it's pretty unusual for any damage right here. I don't have an emergency bag packed or anything but, if I heard a giant storm was on the way, I'd just get the hell out of here for a few days. I have no problem with taking off like that.
I don't really get natural disasters other than an occasional power outage which can last for a while. We have flashlights, candles, extra food and water, etc.. for moments like that.
Not as prepared as I should be. I have a plan on how to get around if an earthquake hits. I have water and some food for myself and my cat but need more stash.
We live in an area with a lot of natural disasters -- last year alone we had a tornado, a flood, and multiple earthquakes. We're prepared for short term power outages and some smaller disasters, but aren't really ready for anything major. We have water and food for about a week and keep a chest freezer as well.
Yes I always have extra food, water, blankets and flashlights around.
Somewhat. We normally get hurricanes here in Florida and I ended up hitting Publix a few days before the last one hit. We need to be better prepared every year when hurricane season starts.
Somewhat prepared. We were out off power for over a week and had a coal and wood stove to keep us warm. Had food to eat, used the gas grill. Also had a generator to keep the freezer in the basement running.
I'm fortunate enough to live in an area where the worst natural disaster is a blizzard. Fortunately, blizzards are very easy to prepare for. Food on hand, fill the gas tank, make sure you have a backup heating source. Done.
I would say we are about 50% prepared. I have flashlight, first aid kits, but used most of our batteries for day to day use, have a backpack with some supplies. But have no lamp or radio.
We live in hurricane territory and are always prepared, especially now that the season is June until the end of November. A disaster is always a disaster no matter how much you prepare.
Unfortunately no I wouldn't say I am as prepared as I need to be.
Not as much as we should be.
Not really. We made it through Sandy okay, a generator would be nice but we still haven't gotten one. We do have enough food and water to make it a couple of days but that wasn't for disasters, we just always do.
I don't think we're prepared at all for a natural disaster, but we need to be.
I am not prepared for a natural disaster because I am fortunate not to be in much danger from most things where I live. I am prepared for something like a blizzard knocking out power though.
No I'm not really prepared.
Not really but I do have a lot of toilet paper!
I have slowly been preparing our household for an EMP bomb, which would be worse than any natural disaster here where we live.
We have some things prepared, we need to add some other things for the house, but we do have bags in the cars!
No I'm not prepared at all. And I live in Southern CA which is a big earthquake place.
I am a little prepared but could be much more prepared.
Yes. I check and refresh my emergency kit every 6 months.
Besides flashlights and a little soup we are not prepared
no not ready
We have lots of supplies, but need more than the 1.5 week food supply that we have and need to get a generator.
No, I'm not prepared for a natural disaster but I think most people fall into that category.
Yes we are prepared.
I am largely prepared for an emergency. Though I could certainly use more emergency water.
I think I'm somewhat prepared. We have a stock of food and water, emergency radio, candles, etc. We also have a plan for meeting up in case we are separated. If there was a serious national disaster though, we'd probably be out of luck!!
We really need to get earthquake and flood insurance.
We live in Western NC where we are surrounded by National forest land. Wildfires were all around us several months ago and I realized that most of my "prepping" would be no good if we had to evacuate at a moments notice. I began to pack small backpacks with emergency items instead of focusing on big stockpiles of things. When you have 10 minutes to get out of your home, you must move fast.
To a point, yes.
We bought a generator last year, and we have food, water, and flashlights.
Natural disaster is something I think of often and worry because we are not prepared at all. This is something that I have wanted to prepare for....for years but have not. The time is now...and I do need to do something to prepare. You just never know when you will need it.
I an not prepared for a natural disaster.