how has your disaster prep actually helped you during disaster?

[No. 3]

I got through Loma Prieta without water, electricity or gas for a week as a student in SF living on Russian Hill (rents were WAY less back then). I had backpack camping stuff and no stove fuel, it wasn't much help. We, and everyone in our neighborhood, got by helping each other out, emptying water heaters for water and eating everything in the house (corner stores were selling out of stuff very orderly- lines to get in and very few folks in the store at a time and limits on purchase so that folks wouldn't hoard.

The takeaway was multiple:
• Stored canned goods enough for a week's eats and a regular stock of dry beans and rice bought in 50lb bags for day to day use will look really good if we see another big quake
• People really pulled together, like I've never seen- I expect that to be the case next time I'm faced with a natural disaster. It was certainly like that in the big hurricanes I saw as a kid.
• I was in demand, as someone who worked in construction, to check gas services and electrical panels- if you aren't doing that sort of work know the basics of shutting off your building services until local utilities have a handle on safely returning service- this can save your life and your building.

Now that I am set up for living for long periods camping out of the truck it should be a lot easier to get through a natural disaster if the truck is okay and we can get to it. Hopefully we won't have to face this sort of trouble though! (But at least we are ready, bet most of the new dot commers in this town aren't and will be bummed that they can't buy their way out of trouble or Tweet themselves potable water).
J

 

[Coastline]

Some people I know think I'm boring for this, and nuts as well, but I live for survival. Not just for me but for those who are with me as well. When the Big One hits SoCal I consider myself to be semi-prepared. Plenty of food, and good variety, as long as I can defend my cache. Medical supplies, entertainment, 250 gallons of water and three different methods for re-using water including filtration and distillation using a pressure cooker and copper tube. I do not have enough water. Also, I have to many neighbors. Apartments and condos and mansions on postage stamp lots for miles and miles in every direction.

When it does strike, the Big One will turn off the lights in SoCal for a long time.

I sold my generator. Generators run out of gas.

About a year ago I got more involved with selling 12 volt solar systems on RVs. I sell Zamp Solar but there are good alternatives as well. The current goal is to expand the solar system at my shop to include 450 watts (three panels) and six 12 volt batteries. I will take the office, break room and two rest rooms off grid. I am doing this same set up on a fifth wheel trailer for a customer. He will be completely off grid, accept for the AC, and will power two computer systems, TV, sound system, frig, micro wave and so forth.

The customer's total cost is under $3600.00 and I throw in 12 volt LEDs that I assemble and sell for about $12 each, depending on quantity. I warranty these lights for life. I firmly believe that 12 volt systems are far more practical than the mega systems that the government and utilities are pushing that will take many years to pay off. The government subsidized programs do not allow you to go off grid and are value-less after dark in a grid down situation.

Beyond that, I have a next level first responder course scheduled for this coming November. I have already gone through 32 hours of training but the class I plan on is 120 hours over three weeks, plus field work after that. It is offered by the US Forest Service.

Be safe, watch your back and when the excrement hits the oscillating air circulator, beware.