Using a "real world scenario" to address sustains & improves; take away from Texas Winter Storm 2021, Paul T. Martin blog:
https://paultmartin.com/blog/f/after-ac ... storm-2021
Paul T. Martin has a relevant article along with other "rabbit hole" information concerning the 140+ hours of harsh weather in a state, TX, that doesn't usually see subzero weather. This was a good "exception to the rule" event. He learned some hard lessons even though he considers himself to be "...fairly well prepared for things..."
Sustain:
+ Used a
"Winter Checklist" to prepare for the weather that was
"forecast." Established his checklist back in the cold snap of 2018.
+ Used Amazon Prime to provide supplies for his daughter who was away at college and outside their area of direct influence.
+ Offered up water supplies to neighbors to include the nearby FD (really bad if the FD needs supplies).
+ Ran the generator on a 3-4 minute daily schedule to keep insure easier starts in the cold weather if needed.
+ Winterized most of what needed to be done well but the need for the following was IDed:
- Insulated pants that would not get soaked like the cotton pants worn; kneeling in the snow became critical.
- Formulate a plan for the pool should the grid go down.
Needs improvement:
- Up all hours of the night unfreezing drainage for tankless water heater.
- Although the checklist and scheduled plan of attack was "realistic;" keeping up with the schedule and added issues slowed the process down and what might have been a speed bump became a road block.
- Clean out rain gutters.
- Physical points:
- Stress and odd rest hours took a toll and created undue fatigue.
- Caffeine issues became apparent when he ran out of caffeinated products.
- Stocking up on fresh vegetables and milk before others realize they need them should become a priority
- Supplies dealing with snow and ice are similar but in many ways different.
- Consider loss of the grid:
- Heating and cooling issues.
- Working or doing tasks outside of daylight hours becomes difficulty...a bridge too far.
- Medical issues, food storage, cooking...
- Spare heat light bulbs and thermostats to place in critical areas
- Preparing to help others when called upon:
- Managing your outside help with your own critical tasks...being better prepared helps the community directly and indirectly
The Grid: We take if for granted; if the grid had gone down during this event it could have meant weeks if not months before system came back up. If the grid goes down shut your breaker off to help avoid power surges when the lines are regenerated. Again, a checklist or flow chart of "if this, then that" can help everyone in the house be better prepared.
SOCAL Considerations (definitely on all encompassing but food for thought):
o HAZMAT and distribution and travel corridors:
- Rule of threes, 3-minutes without air
- I5, I10 and I15 for example.
- Power line corridor to include pipelines (above and below ground).
- Water reservoirs and any downstream hazards (housing/built up areas).
- Travel congestion or canalization, bridges/overpasses
o Population Concentration:
- Rule of threes, 3-hours without shelter, 3-days without water, 3-weeks without food...
- Fires that compound issues if not the main issue, displaced people
- Large downtown sections built of Un-reinforced masonry
- Lots of people who may compete for the same commodities
- Inability to sustain or produce food for masses
o Vulerabilities:
- Targeted by terrorists/foreign nations
- Earthquake, tsunami, brownouts, fires, flooding/mudslides, extreme hot/cold, tornado/windstorms and civil unrest.
- FEMA graphics for ways to prepare.
- FEMA Ways to Prepare 800.jpg (250.37 KiB) Viewed 734 times
Home Evacuation Checklist – How to Prepare for Evacuation:
Evacuation Checklist Example (
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepar ... ion-steps/):
Inside the House
o Have your Emergency Supply Kit/Evacuation Bag ready to go
o Ensure a Wildfire Action Plan is prepared ahead of time
o Make sure you know your community’s emergency response plan and have a plan on where to go when it is time to evacuate, and best routes for leaving your location.
o Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
o Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.
o Remove lightweight curtains.
o Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
o Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.
o Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
o Shut off the air conditioning.
o Security system/alarm.
Outside
o Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.
o Turn off propane tanks.
o Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
o Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.
o Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.
o Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
o Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
o Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
o Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.
o Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
o Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.
o Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.
Animals
o Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
o Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.
Base this on a time hack in addition to a simple checklist; If I have to leave in:
o 10-minutes:
o 30-minutes:
o 1-hour:
o 12-hours:
o 24-hours:
Base checklist on importance:
o Documents for recovery, return to neighborhood
o Rule of threes
o Monetary vs. personal/sentimental value
o Bulk vs condense amount of space
Paul T. Martin:
I don't see things getting easier in the days ahead. Our economy is showing worrisome signs, our communities are still seething from the last election with no sign of abatement, our grids are vulnerable, and we're still dealing with a pandemic for the foreseeable future. We now see how uncomfortable things can get. Take steps now to protect yourself and family from enduring that again.H-U-A or "Hooah!" = Heard Understood & Acknowledged. In context: "Roger that sir, HUA!"
(I hope to make it to at least half the places this bike has been)
