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Ask Slashdot: How Prepared Are You For a Major Emergency?

Posted by timothy on from the supermoon-induced-volquakeno-blizzards-loom dept.

The northern US has been buried under snow several times this winter, and flooding has struck quite a few places in the southwest. Those pale, though, beside the recent disasters in Haiti, New Zealand, and Japan, and the seemingly inevitable arrival of a serious earthquake on the West Coast of the US. All of which has me thinking about my (meager) preparedness for a major disaster. Despite plans to stock up in case of a major storm or other emergency, right now I'd be down mostly to canned beans, sardines and Nutella. How prepared are you to do deal with a disaster affecting your region? Is your data safe? What about your family? Do you have escape, regrouping, or survival plans in the event of an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, industrial accident, or whatever hazards are most relevant where you live? It would be helpful if in comments you disclose your region and environment (urban? rural? exurbs?) and the emergencies you consider worth preparing for, as well as talking about any steps you've taken or plan to take.

12 of 562 comments (clear)

  1. Are you armed? by HornWumpus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mod me troll. I don't care.

    I've got a M1 rifle, a 12 gauge pump and a Colt Python as personal weapons.

    That and a backpack full of gear I can live out of and a 4x4 that's already been up the Rubicon trail many times.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    1. Re:Are you armed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      If I was surrounded by Americans I would want to be armed too.

    2. Re:Are you armed? by JohnRoss1968 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why not or are you some kind of save the water freak.

    3. Re:Are you armed? by Nidi62 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Bit of a silly response, don't you think?

      OP talks about preparing for a natural disaster What you going to do, shoot the water as it swirls round your feet

      While people are lining up outside relief tents to get their MREs or Spam, we can be out hunting deer, turkey, dove, quail, etc. While you're eating rehydrated bread, we can be dining on some roast duck or deer tenderloin steak. You think during a flood you'll be able to drive down to the local McDonald's and order up a burger?

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    4. Re:Are you armed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The snowflakes are coming!!! SHOOT TO KILL!!!

    5. Re:Are you armed? by countertrolling · · Score: 3, Funny

      I am.. whenever I see it wash up on the beach, I throw it back...

      --
      For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
    6. Re:Are you armed? by 517714 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Your own.

      --
      The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
  2. Squid! by MrQuacker · · Score: 5, Funny
    I just checked my cupboards to see what I have.

    There are about a dozen cans of squid, that I have no idea where they came from.

  3. Dominos by pspahn · · Score: 4, Funny

    The only thing we probably have to seriously worry about, is the disaster after the disaster.

    If there is some cataclysmic quake/tsunami on the West Coast, I can imagine plenty of people showing up here shortly afterwards. We are not prepared to deal with a mass influx of Californians.

    I guess my survival pack would include:

    • "Native" bumper sticker
    • Fake signs pointing the way to the farmer's market.
    • Public transit pass.
    • Chainsaw (for firewood, of course)
    • A pair of those sunglasses that have lenses the size of grapefruits so I don't stick out.
    --
    Someone flopped a steamer in the gene pool.
  4. Re:As a pet owner... by CheeseTroll · · Score: 5, Funny

    "my cat would make a fine hat for warmth"

    your cat can knit?

    --
    A post a day keeps productivity at bay.
  5. Re:I'll Tell You by jez9999 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Thank god there have always been humans with guns around to control the deer population, or there'd be infinity deers by now.

    --
    == Jez ==
    Do you miss Firefox? Try Pale Moon.
  6. Just remember by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

    When in danger,
    or in doubt,
    run in circles,
    scream and shout.

    -- Xavier Onassis, Director of Emergency Preparedness

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.