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Catastrophic emergency preparedness question?

Do you think it is really necessary to stock up supplies for an catastrophic emergency? If so, what would you get and how much ?
I live in Central California

Public Comments

1. It depends on where you live if you live in an area prone to disasters like California then be prepared, but it is best to be prepared no matter what. So I guess you should get safety equipment just in case. Better Safe Than Sorry!

2. That would be a lengthy answer.

Yes, it would be smart to stock up. I keep a years supply of food, powdered milk, and powdered eggs, and other necesitites. I don't worry about water because I live in the Appalachian Mountains, and there is fresh, drinkable stream water EVERYWHERE. It would be impossible for someone to cut off my water supply here. But if you live in an arid environment, I would stock bottles and canned water as well.

Stock up on dried foods, and grains, powdered stuff, clothing, weapons and ammunition, and security items. Also, have several escape routes planned out for floods, wildfires, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanos, or enemy (foreign or domestic) invasions. If you live near a faultline, know where it is, and the likely results of an earthquake in your area. It you live near vocanos, know how and when that one erupts. Plan your escape routes on the premise that you will be on foot, bike or horseback, canoe, kayak or rowboat, because in a emergency, gasoline may not be available for a car or truck.

Oh, and now's a good time to practice living without electricity, gas or telephones (internet and computer included). Take a weekend, and make yourself go complety without utilities, and running water. It's not as easy as it sounds. Go camping and learn outdoor skills, especially tracking and foraging.

The main thing to remember in planning is that you will get no help from the government, and they may, in fact, be the problem. You will be on your own. Trust no one, until they have proven themselves to you. If you are prepared, those who are not will try to steal your stuff. Be prepared to nuetralize looters, and other attackers (with extreme prejudice), until order is re-established (if ever).

For a good example of what to expect, go to YouTube.com and look up videos from New Oleans, Slidell, and other places hit by Hurricane Katrina. Pay attention to the Authorities 'help' including the one where police brutally attacked a 70+ year-old woman, IN HER OWN HOUSE, simply because she had a small pistol in the house for protection from looters, and the Government went out to illegaly confiscate weapons, instead of supplying food and relief for their citizens. It will be an eye-opener for you.

Bear in mind that the MILLIONS of dollars allocated to FEMA for relief to the people of New Orleans STILL HAS NOT BEEN DISBURSED. People are still living in Relocation Camps, years after the disaster (since 2005).

Like I said, plan on being on your own......

Good luck.