All Good advice Tom.
Tom's "GOT GAS"!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
But, really, it just isn't that hard to be prepared. Or it doesn't seem so hard to me (????). Some people don't seem to get it (????) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
You are right, you don't have to have your own personally bomb shelter. Although, in tornado alley, it is probably a good idea.
Hurricanes are often less violent than tornados. But, if you live in certain areas, hurricanes are so large, you are much more likely to have to deal with certain consequences.
-----------------------
I LOVE trees. But, I try to be practical about me trees and safety as well. There are so many people around here that don't understand the damage trees can cause - even without high winds. I have been around the real estate, mortgage and costruction industry for many years. Trees can destroy homes just from roots. So, many people here have 3' - 5' diameter trees right up next to their homes that lift, crack and destroy their foundations. This damage can cost MANY tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Then there is wind. I don't condone cutting down nice trees because they "might" blow over. But, if a tree is leaning towards your home or has limbs that could be removed to prevent damage, people might need to consider removing these potentially dangerous trees or at least trimming dangerous limbs.
I VERY likely avoided any damage to my home because I maintain my trees. I hate cutting them down. But, I don't let them become hazards either. I plant replacements. I know some trees are irreplaceable. But, at least consider the risks.
I know many of my neighbors took some pretty good damage from trees because of being, cheap or lazy to maintain their trees. I see people leave dead dangerous trees in their yards for years.
Guess what, these tree removal companies work on supply and demand. When the demand is high, so are their prices. I talked to one guy who paid $10,000 to remove one tree from his home with a crane. He "assumes" his insurance co. will reimburse him. Good luck to him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
I have paid as little as $250 - $500 for VERY large 80' x 3'-4' diameter trees including remove all debris and stump grind.
But, I have seen others pay $1000 - $3000 per tree during high demand times.
It requires special skill to remove trees around houses.
---------------
To prepare for disaster, you have to consider what might go out.
We still had running water and natural gas. But, might not always.
If running water goes out, like you mentioned, you need water for MANY things other than just drinking. Like flushing commodes. And you can burn a lot of water on commodes. We fill up our bathtub with water in the case we need that water for commodes. I estimate the tub holds about 50 gallons or so.
Good ol' candles work great.
Pet food stock is a VERY worthy consideration.
Water, dry foods, soup, batteries, gas, basics. It isn't brain surgery. You just have to think through what you will need day to day and how to survive day to day without certain conveniences like electricity, possibly running water, possibly no Natural Gas, etc.
Fill up your car tanks for sure. I have seen that to be a problem for so many so often. I don't know why it is so often over-looked.
Further, conserve you cars gas by not wasting trips driving all around looking at other people disasters and visiting. If you need to help somebody prioritize gas use. You can't drive around like most of us do daily. Most people run through a tank of gas in less than a week. It is possible you need to go a lot longer than a week on one tank of gas or whatever reserves you have.
It is amazing to me how many dumb kids I saw sitting in their parked out of gas cars. Or stranded at empty deserted gas stations that didn't have gas - probably "Hoping" a gas truck would show up some day. Mostly high school aged looking kids. School was out. So, I assume they got bored without their Nintendos and felt they had to drive to all of their different friends houses til they ran out of gas. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
Generator gas is another commonly over-looked stock-pile. I saw many who thought to have a generator, but didn't consider how much gas to have available or maybe they just didn't think they couldn't get gas (??????).
--------------
I also heard some talk about Natural gas generators. The are likely a great deal for some people. We had gas maintained. I don't know what it would take to cut off gas since most gas is underground. And I honestly don't recall ever loosing natural gas supply (??????).
But, where I live, most people can't have huge tank supplies of propane or natural gas. So, hopefully if going a natural gas route, you feel VERY confident in NOT loosing natural gas supply. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />
My grill and outdoor sideburner on my grill is natural gas. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
A lot of people have propane grills. Propane cooks just fine. But, you have to refill the little tanks a lot. I assume propane tanks became in high demand here just like many other things. I am glad I didn't have to go try to find propane. MANY people waste a LOT of car gas driving around for things like that.
I LOVE cooking on a natural gas cooktop. I used to have one and want to replace my electric cooktop. For those who use electric cooktops, gas cooktops are WAY nicer to cook with IMO.
.
