Carol Reed
In Memoriam
- Messages
- 5,533
- Location
- Coolidge, AZ
It has occurred to me that there have been an extraordinary number of disasters around the world lately. Not Armageddon or something like that, but fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. that seriously disrupt how we normally live. So how prepared am I when the ground shakes around here and the normal infrastructure is trashed for a period of time?
First issue is flight or ride it out. It you flee, where to go and what to take are major issues. All the resources are at home, so that is the first choice. First problem, get there, if you are not there when disaster strikes. Second, all fuel tanks at least half full all the time in case you have to change your mind and flee. I have the advantage of living in a motor home, so nearly all comes with me if I have to move. Now I need think about what is in my storage sheds I'd wish I had with me. Maybe a reloading of the motorhome basement for storage is in order.
The coach has a 7.5 KW genset, so power is not an issue. But the lab built a two panel solar collector on wheels with a pair of deep cycle batteries and an inverter that I plan to duplicate. It only needs sun to operate and sooner or later that will break out. They use when out in the desert with a rocket or high altitude balloon launch. They live stream their efforts back to the lab for the rest of us to watch. Fascinating stuff. That set up would easily power the motorhome's basic needs. Not electric hot water or AC, but everything else ought to work.
I drink bottled spring water that I get in three gallon bottles directly from the bottler in town. I go through 6-8 gallons a week normally. I had three bottles on hand and normally did not get water until I was on the third bottle. Re-thought that. Got two more bottle this past week. Will still get water when I am on the third bottle, but I will have a two weerk supply on hand if I can't get there. Today I will pick up a second propane tank for the grill. That will handle cooking. I'd fill the coaches 35 gallon tank, but I'd have to move the coach to do it. Can't get it delivered. They won't deliver for less than 100 gallons.
Now I am working on a grocery list of unperishables to have on the shelf. I plan to rotate them so it has to be stuff I can normally eat regularly.
Thoughts on what you would do next?
First issue is flight or ride it out. It you flee, where to go and what to take are major issues. All the resources are at home, so that is the first choice. First problem, get there, if you are not there when disaster strikes. Second, all fuel tanks at least half full all the time in case you have to change your mind and flee. I have the advantage of living in a motor home, so nearly all comes with me if I have to move. Now I need think about what is in my storage sheds I'd wish I had with me. Maybe a reloading of the motorhome basement for storage is in order.
The coach has a 7.5 KW genset, so power is not an issue. But the lab built a two panel solar collector on wheels with a pair of deep cycle batteries and an inverter that I plan to duplicate. It only needs sun to operate and sooner or later that will break out. They use when out in the desert with a rocket or high altitude balloon launch. They live stream their efforts back to the lab for the rest of us to watch. Fascinating stuff. That set up would easily power the motorhome's basic needs. Not electric hot water or AC, but everything else ought to work.
I drink bottled spring water that I get in three gallon bottles directly from the bottler in town. I go through 6-8 gallons a week normally. I had three bottles on hand and normally did not get water until I was on the third bottle. Re-thought that. Got two more bottle this past week. Will still get water when I am on the third bottle, but I will have a two weerk supply on hand if I can't get there. Today I will pick up a second propane tank for the grill. That will handle cooking. I'd fill the coaches 35 gallon tank, but I'd have to move the coach to do it. Can't get it delivered. They won't deliver for less than 100 gallons.
Now I am working on a grocery list of unperishables to have on the shelf. I plan to rotate them so it has to be stuff I can normally eat regularly.
Thoughts on what you would do next?