I'm nervous. I'm waiting for the day when a New Orleans-like disaster will strike here in Lawrence, Kansas. It won't be a flood -- probably a tornado. We've had close calls in the last few years.
My anxiousness started in 1979. That year a major ice-storm hit western Kansas, and our farm was without power for a week. No electricity! How would we eat? Flush the toilet? Stay warm?
Farms and farm families are self-sufficient. They have to be. We had our own sources of water, gas and power. Our farm had two water wells: one with an electric pump and one with a windmill. So we carried water in buckets from the windmill. Fill the toilet tank and viola, you can flush.
Our stove ran on propane, and we had a large propane storage tank on the farm. So we could heat water and make food. What we lacked was a back-up generator, but my grandparents had one, so we lived with them for several days. We always had food stored in our basement -- a deep-freeze full of meat; canned goods; other staples -- so hunger was never an issue. And if things got really bad, we had a small arsenal of firepower and ammo so we could find and kill what we needed (but things never got that bad).
Soon after the storm, Dad bought a generator for our farm. And it's a good thing he did. In 1987, two blizzards hit back-to-back (people had t-shirts made up that said, "I survived the twin blizzards of 1987"). Crank up the generator, and boom, we had power.
I left for college in 1987 and never really thought about disasters. Why would I? I was "living on the grid." Everything was supplied by whatever jurisdiction I was living in at the time. Even when we were snowed in our apartment in Washington, DC, I could walk to a grocery store for food. Over the years I've grown completely dependent on the system; the system takes care of all my needs. And it wasn't until September 11, 2001, that I woke up. What happens if the system breaks?
Since then I've been quietly building a store-house of items in the corner of our basement. I call it our "Armageddon Corner." My wife thinks I'm crazy. I've got propane tanks, blankets, guns and ammo, a tent and sleeping bags. I've stored water and put important documents in leak-proof bags. But there are still several items on my "Armageddon List" I need to buy. In short, I'm preparing for the day when the system breaks (it's not a question of if, but when).
I was reminded again this winter when western Kansas experienced another terrible ice storm. My parents were without power for 14 days. But they were comfortable because they were prepared.
My little stash of supplies won't save us from a nuclear disaster. If something bad happened today, I'd still look to the city of Lawrence for help. And that kills me. Ultimately I don't want to be dependent on any system but my own. That is security for me.
I started this post because I found a very cool online tool to store important documents called Keepyousafe.com. I'm impressed. They've positioned themselves as an "online safety deposit box." I think they'll be successful. Their blog has excellent tips and links to resources for disaster preparation.
I'm sure some of you are thinking I'm crazy. Maybe. But I won't be waiting on FEMA or the State of Kansas or my county government to show up and rescue me when the shit hits the fan. Will you?
technorati tags: disaster, Kansas, FEMA, secruity
