How do I survive a "superstorm"? This is the question many are asking in the wake of the U.S. Geological Survey release of what it calls its "ARkStorm Scenario" in which it predicts that California could suffer devastating storms that could dump up to 10 feet of water over 40 days, flood one fourth of the homes in the state, and cause over $300 Billion in damage.
Though there is no specific answer as to how to survive such a superstorm in California or elsewhere, the truth is that there are simple steps that everyone can take to be prepared for such a disaster. In the most basic sense, under any severe flooding scenario, there are two possible ways that one might be forced to respond in order to survive. They may either be forced to evacuate their homes or they may be forced to shelter-in-place (hunker down and stay put).
My own personal experience is one of having to shelter-in-place for about two weeks without the benefit of running water, electricity, or even the availability of food beyond what was in the house. This came, as I have described in another blog post, after a major typhoon and its accompanying destruction. I have also lived through shorter periods of sheltering-in-place caused by significant flooding that essentially shut down travel for several days.
One may prepare to either evacuate or shelter-in-place in very similar ways. The preparation for one event is the subset of the preparation for the other. By this I mean that one might prepare supplies for up to two weeks or more if they have to shelter-in-place in their homes with no water, electricity, and additional food or other essentials. Then they might have a portable kit of supplies that would sustain the basic necessities of life for up to three days (72 hours) should they have to evacuate. The portable kit can be the source of some of the supplies necessary for sheltering-in-place.
In this way, one is covered whether they need to stay put or they need to get out. It is difficult to practically carry more than three days of supplies on your person. If you are able to take a vehicle in your evacuation you can always add extras, but one should be prepared to evacuate on foot and survive outside during that time for up to three days.
People are gaining in their understanding of the need to prepare to meet their own needs for 3 days or more as they are increasingly aware that no government agency is prepared to care for everyone's needs during or immediately after a devasting event such as the predicted California SuperStorm.
Visit us at www.LifeSecure.com for emergency solutions that meet the need to prepare for either evacuation or to shelter-in-place. If you haven't already done so please make the effort now to make a plan and get the emergency kits and supplies you need to survive in any emergency or disaster.
The bottom line is the best way to survive a California Superstorm is to prepare to care for your own essential survival needs.