More Lessons from the Storm
After talking to several friends and neighbors, they shared what they learned from the severe winter storm we experienced that knocked out our power for several hours while the snow and wind howled ferociously. Communication was key. Many people only had cordless phones that were rendered useless when the power went out. Many relied on cell phones, but dead batteries were a problem for several people.
Most of the families were women at home with their children while their husbands tried to get home from work, often spending hours in their cars to only get a few miles. While the mothers felt safe, they worried about the safety of their husbands. One wife spoke about how they have a kit in the family car, but they had failed to put one in the car the husband used to commute to and from work-a situation they care now rectifying.
Another lesson was the need to keep your gas tank at least half full. Many motorists ran out of gas waiting in traffic, forced to abandon their cars on the side of the road. The next rule applies to everyone, but is especially important for women. Often when people ran out of gas, they were forced to walk a considerable distance to reach shelter. Having a pair of sturdy walking shoes is essential. It can mean the difference between teetering in high heels in several feet of snow and walking with winter boots. Take into account the area where you live and what disasters are most likely to occur as you make plans for your personal preparedness.
