I’m not tone deaf to the fact that not everyone can be prepared for a regional crisis at all times. Space, money and time are resources that some of us don’t have.

But

Reactive < proactive

It bothers me and I don’t have a reason as to why. Ok I have a few.

It drains supplies because everyone goes on auto bulk in purchasing. It drains the inventory, wipes the shelves clean. Everyone goes into panic mode when they don’t have enough toilet paper to wipe their ass for 6 months.

Shit hits the fan not your fanny.

Others will try to best the elements due to procrastination. That means cars in ditches, power lines getting plowed which brings first responders out in this shit. Regular folks forced to drive to work because you forgot peanut butter at Food Lion.

All because you didn’t take this shit seriously.

If you have a family always have a few things on hand.

Gas can

Non electric heat source

Knowledge of how to filter water or a water filter. Containers to hold that water

Solar panel and battery

Generator

Food options with a healthy shelf life. Knowledge on how to preserve

Portable shelter

Protection

First aid kit.

I realize the price tag on those items can be overwhelming. Suffering is too. Weird how 10 years ago we didn’t really harp on these things and here we are about to face regional disaster for the second time in less than two years.

Helene PTSD anyone? I’ve got some and all I dealt with was no power for 9 days. I got a little warm during the day time and was out of work. When thunder shakes my house now I get anxious. I spend 20% of my time outdoors. I’m prepared for these times by proxy. It’s my hobby.

I don’t fear the ice storm. I have shelter. I have blankets I live in the south barring some pole shift that wrecks the hemisphere I’m not concerned about freezing to death. I’m surrounded by trees I can find a heating source I don’t care if I have to build a bonfire in my backyard.

Small hack, if you have a tent you put one up in your home during power outages and curl up in with a sleeping bag to stay warmer if your heat is out long term. Don’t shove your head inside the bag. You’ll wake up with a runny nose.

It’s not the weather it’s the people

The people scare the shit out of me.

Panic mode

You get a mob of people out of their comfort zones and add a little anxiousness and walls begin to collapse. I went to Home Depot yesterday around 7am for a couple of reasons.

1. I’m a weirdo and I like to walk around places like these to see what I could use in an emergency situation that’s a little outside the box. I also like to watch consumer behavior. What goes first, what’s left.

2. I watch everyone to see how they react to emergencies, interact with each other and staff. Body language, sense of urgency. I’m watching your nervous system so I can know when I have to worry about mine. When y’all start getting out of hand I’ll stay home for a bit. I’m not getting stabbed over a gas can.

I also went to my local grocery store to see what was available and what went first. It’s amazing the amount of healthy foods still left on the shelves but that’s just our culture. The parking lot was full at 7:30. Everyone with a sense of purpose. No casual strolling.

I didn’t attempt Costco. Nor will I anytime soon.

I did this during Helene. Stood next to a line for propane and watched the fidgeting, body language, nervousness. That was day two. By day three I watched two people argue over a gas pump and read about another fight over the last bag of ice.

Day three. That’s all it took.

Imagine a month. Thats why people worry me. We don’t know how to act when all we do is react. I’ve got a family. I do my due diligence to make sure they are taken care of in these situations. When others don’t do the same it makes me nervous. Don’t come knocking on my door. Peace of mind may cost you a few hundred bucks. It’s worth it. If I didn’t have the deli my family and I would be halfway to Florida right now.

I don’t think it’ll be as bad as the fear mongering meteorologists say but I don’t take chances with my family. Also when did we start naming storms? Names give storms identity.

Weird

So much easier to refer to a devastating event with a first name.

Katrina

Hugo

Ivan

Helene

Now Fern is it? You don’t give something a name that you don’t want to keep around.

My generator is primed. I’ve got 10 gallons of gas and a full tank in my truck. I’ve got 4WD but I’ll walk before I drive somewhere.

It’s not me it’s you.

I’ve got 20 gallons of water containers. Two batteries. 6 little propane tanks for cooking. Old kerosene heater with a pack of wicks and fuel but not that much I only bought one of the last two. I left one for the next person. It’s not that hard to be considerate. I can go without but I won’t if it’s not necessary. I’d rather leave some fuel for your grandparents.

I got coffee, books and blankets. I’m good for a bit.

If you bought some things just for this storm I’d suggest keeping it around for the next one. They seem to be coming around more often than they used to.

Don’t sell your peace of mind on marketplace. I watched a lot of folks up in NC sell their generators and solar powered goods on marketplace after Helene and I was like “ehhh I’d hold onto to those if I were you”

I got a battery for cheap because of that.

Stay safe yall. Peace