4 levels of preparedness for disaster level 1, Can you get to safety?

       In the event a catastrophic disaster leaves you and your family in an unsafe or precarious situation our reaction will require different levels of readiness. This blog will deal with the first basic level which is our initial reaction. When faced with a situation in which you have to get away fast, we won't need to carry a full 72 hour backpack. We need to have in readiness a bag suitable to sustain us long enough to get to safety. I will use my location as an example for all 4 blogs. We live on an island two miles down a dead end country road. The houses have a "road" side and a "water" side, on the water side is a levee.

Have your "Kit" ready well in advance of an event.

The levee can be driven on, however, it is wide enough for one vehicle only. In my case the "get away" survival pack should have enough supplies for 1 person to walk 3 miles down the levee to the main road. Each person should carry their own bag.
An example of contents would be: 1 quart of water, an energy bar, 12 hour light stick, whistle, waterproof matches (or a fire starter), rechargeable flashlight, emergency poncho (it may get or be rainy), a warm blanket, a multi-tool with a knife and a small first aid kit. Also, extra socks, underwear, shoes, a jacket and a hat.
It should all be in a bag of your choosing. One that is comfortable for you to carry. There are many types available, waterproof bags, backpacks and duffel's are among some styles. They should all be water proof and not filled to the point of having to keep the compartments open, every one needs to be zippered or buttoned closed.
It is prudent to expect tragedies in the middle of the night, in a rain storm, high winds or very miserable conditions. We must also assume that the majority of us will not be rescued, only disabled and elderly will be. We must also assume we must walk out. The road will be blocked by fallen trees and emergency vehicles dealing with them. We must also assume that next to my bed I have laid out the night before clothing that can be put on in a minute or less time. Layering would be the best dress mode to take. We can always remove clothes when we're warm, but if we don't have enough on to begin with there is little to be done if we get cold having nothing else to wear. (Click here for a good article on evacuating your family.)
Your neighbors will not be prepared for this. But you will be. You will have clothes, water and an emergency light. In the best of situations we will have enough to be able to help them out, but we will not be able to help everyone out. We may be in a position that, because we are prepared, we are in a position to help with whatever we have. That will be likely, especially when the evacuation spot is reached. We will most likely have to share clothing. In an earthquake for example, re-entry to your home is not possible. In a wild fire or flood, merely getting out with your life could prove challenging. Even if we are well prepared we may not have enough time to grab our survival kit or to even get dressed. Hence the importance of laying clothes out the night before.
My cell phone will most likely be useless for local calls. The Internet will be down. We will have no electricity or running water. Communications immediately after a catastrophic event is essential. Every night charge your phone. Social media will be jammed up and the phone lines will be jammed for local calls. Establish an out of state contact that all of the people interested in your well being have the number for. Stay in contact with them every few hours if possible, if not, once is better than nothing.

A relief center set up in a church, we'll be OK here. 

When we make it to the evacuation staging area we will most likely be transported to a relief center. These are normally churches, YMCA's, schools or the like, there will be water and relief stations available. In an emergency the best of people will come out, everyone wants to help, and most of us feel we are better off than others. That attitude is healthy. It puts us in the mental frame of mind of being able to help other people. That to me is the ultimate goal in being prepared for an evacuation. Be prepared enough for you and your loved ones, and be in a position that you are prepared enough to help other people. Human strength is in groups.
Does this make sense? Let us know, I'd like to hear from you, thanks for reading.
jimandkate emergencykitsplus.com