Bedford, who has been prepping for a few years now knows how to keep her family safe and is ready for almost anything that comes her way.  Her goal is to get the as many people prepared as she can, and is seems her hard work is paying off. 

In the Arizona Rebublic interview, Bedford believes being prepared isn’t just about stocking up on food and supplies, but a change in lifestyle.  They’ve paid down their debt and cut back on travel… Bedford worries more about the fallout of a shaky economy than about a terrorist attack, civil unrest or a natural disaster… ‘I just feel a general uneasiness about what is happening in the world today.’

The Survival Mom is not just using her blog as a sounding board, but she is also teaching preparedness classes locally.  If anyone is interested, click here.

Tom Martin emphasises what the Survival Mom is saying and points out that “some people are preparing for economic disaster – the loss of a job, rising food prices, possible shortages – and some are readying for a natural disaster, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.  Others simply stock up on  extra food and flashlights in the event of a severe power outage or storm. ‘Whatever your motivation, it’s just good sense to have plans and preparations in place for the unknown,’ Martin says during a phone interview… ‘People have been thinking that someone else will take care of them and then a disaster comes and they find themselves on a rooftop without any food.’

 The message of preparedness is nothing new.  People around the world have prepared themselves for possible disasters for centuries.  The only difference between our past and present is that our ancestors knew that in a disaster situation, they are on their own.  They knew it was up to them to care for themselves.  Disasters do not happen to other people - they can happen to you, and they can happen to me.  As long as you are prepared for a given scenario, then you have tools in place when you need it the most.  And having those tools ready will alleviate the intensity of the situation.

“Buggin out or buggin in is one of the hardest questions we have to face in a situation like that.  And I think what it really boils down to is personal preference.  If the person wants to ride out the disaster, they, in my opinion, they need to be prepared for what may come.  And, quite frankly I think they need to know how prepared their city or town is going to be because there is no better example of a government’s mismanagement towards a disaster than with what happened with Katrina… So if you’re going to bug in you need to know that there are going to be situations you may not be ready for.   Your home could collapse, there’s medical emergencies, fatalities… If you’re buggin out you’ve got to make sure your gear is prepared before you leave.  You have to have that 72 hour bag and know to see the signs before it’s too late…”

On Bug Out Bags, Tess reminded the audience that a bug out bag, or 72 hour bag is a great place to begin preparing for a disaster. 

“For anyone beginning to prepare, the bug out bag is the best place to start… for my family we have a 3 day bag, and we also have a 2 week bag… but it’s important to have that because if something does come up or arise, you have those two choices… overall it’s just very important to have it.”

To hear the interview of Tess and James:

Talking with James was a great opportunity, and I have been very lucky to talk with him twice.  He is the nicest man and is a instrumental presence in the world of prepping.  Thank you James for all that you do.

Weather experts are advising that due to the combination of wind, heavy rain, and heavy snow will lead to extensive power outages and property damage.  Where numerous trees and lines are blown down, the power could be out for a week in some areas… Impact on travel in the region may be severe.  The effects of the storm will lead to flight delays and cancellation.  Some major roads may be blocked by snow, downed trees or flooding.

Source – www.accuweather.com

This is Why We Prepare 

 Storms come on suddenly and have the possibility of turning into monsters.  If a person is not adequately prepared, they are gambling with their lives.  Prior to any type of disaster, a person should have at least two weeks of food, water and short term disaster supplies in their home for a unforeseen disaster.  The aftermath of this storm has the possibility of road blocks due to the snow and flooding coastal water.  If the roads are blocked, food and supplies will not be able to make it’s way into the disaster prone area until the snow and ice melt away as well as the downed power lines and debris are removed from the road. 

On Februrary 9, 2010 (not too long ago) the Northeast was hit with another major snow storm. This is what the store shelves looked like then.

Source

Let’s hope that many will be more prepared with this round of storms.  Although, this author has not endured a snow hurricane, per se, she has gone through multiple tropical hurricanes.  The need to be prepared for disasters is vital.  A person who waits until the last minute to gather supplies will be one who walks away unprepared and may be lucky enough to leave with a few picked over items. 

Those that are not prepared should equip themselves with supplies and as much knowledge about the storm they will be experiencing as possible, prior to it occurring.  Although a snow hurricane is rare in some cases, it does happen.  Those living in the Northeast are typically used to winter storms, but not the severity of this type.

Suggestions for Preparing for a Severe Winter Storm

• Have an emergency plan in place with emergency contacts on alert in the case that a person needs to evacuate their home.  If damage to the home makes in uninhabitable, evacuate to a pre-planned friend or neighbor who may be near by.
• Have some winter disaster supplies in the home such as: candles, matches/lighters, a battery operated radio, emergency food supplies, water, extra blankets, toilet paper, prescription medicines, over the counter medicines, a non electric can opener, infant/baby needs if a child is in the home.
• Be prepared for the power to go out.  Be prepared for this set back by having alternative power and heating sources to go along with the extra blankets.  Having an emergency generator with extra gasoline could be a life saver in this situation.
• Avoid traveling in a blizzard.  If a person is on the road when a blizzard hits, look for a hotel nearby and stay off the road until there are better road conditions.
• Have a 72 hour bag in the vehicle with lots of warm insulated clothing in the case that a person is stranded in their car during a blizzard. Additionally, having an extra supply of gasoline in the car would also be a good idea.
• If a person is stranded in the car, do not leave the engine running to keep warm.  Snow can block the exhaust pipe and fill with the car with fumes, thus causing carbon monoxide poisoning.  Keep one window open just a bit to avoid this.  Run the car in short bursts to avoid running out of gas.  Turn the engine on long enough to keep the car warm and then turn it off.
• Stock up on shovels and snow removal equipment prior to the storm.
• Additionally, those who were not hit with the blinding snow flurries, but were effected by coastal water flooding, should read over guidelines for emergency flooding and know what to avoid.
• Stay inside and stay warm!  The winds from this type of storm are going to be extremely dangerous.  Snow drift can be a problem after a storm of this magnitude.  Additionally, frostbite will be a major concern so a good rule of thumb is to keep everyone inside and warm until the threat is over. 
• If a person must go outside, they should use the layered principle when dressing for the outdoors.

Some additional winter storm resources are:

• Before a Winter Storm
• During a Winter Storm
• After a Winter Storm

Best of luck to those that are going through these torrential storm systems.  Stay warm and stay prepared!

The message of being prepared is one that all preppers need to get involved in.  We have to teach those that are new to the prepping community the lessons we have learned and any tricks or short cuts that we have found.  The more families that are prepared out there, the more of our fellow man will survive during a disasterous event.

Tess will be on Blog Talk Radio again on March 3, 2010 so be sure to check the radio show out then as well!

The preparedness path really is insurance… If we had to rely on ourselves, we would have the food, the supplies and that would free up the money we did have for a house payment or free up the money for an emergency medical bill.

Source – Lisa Bedford – aka The Survival Mom

Many preppers are proud of being prudent and proud of the being proactive in a world filled with uncertainties.  This article only encourages us to keep doing what we are doing and hopefully, encourages more to prepare.  Thanks Survival Mom for shedding some good light on us.