Discussion on:

Why Americans aren't prepared for the next mega-disaster

I'm very disappointed that the article barely addresses or gives links
to information as to what kinds of steps readers specifically should
be undertaking. What a gross oversight. I guess we're all
supposed to buy the book.

Being the President and Co-founder of the Telework Coalition, the nations leading telework educational and advocacy organization, I frequently address groups in the matter of what we like to call disaster avoidance and I concur with what Mr. Redlener says. Both individuals and organizations talk about being prepared for a 'big one' but so few are it's alarming.

I have been told by very well informed people that the occurance of a "Mega Disaster" is a when, not an if.

I hope you can jolt at least a small part of the population to wake up to this situation.

Chuck Wilsker
President & CEO
The Telework Coalition
Member: Broadband for America Adoption Advisory Board
Digital Energy Solutions Campaign
Set America Free Coalition
Our Energy Policy Foundation
Mobility Choice Coalition
G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICT
Association of Contingency Planners
The Internet Society

We can take some wisdom from the Mormon Church. They have been ready for decades......just Google and find great information!

Even if you are prepared, to what end? If you are living on the fault line you die anyhow.

America is the doom nation! We war on every problem! Our TV advertising is filled with commercials about diseases you will probably never get. Recommendations for drugs you can't prescribe. Bumper stickers rail about issues that you can't identify. Like "real fish don't eat pellets".

Positive thinking is a proven fact. Statistics in all fields of endeavor prove that you get more with a positive attitude. I suppose you could argue that planning for a disaster is positive thinking about surviving it. But focusing on the disaster seems counter productive. Like a department of war: what is the result more and more war.

All these agencies have to prove that they are important and provide these inert studies to bolster their budget.

Consider the birds in the sky. They have no means, they have no fear, they are provided for. So much goes right every day that to dwell on this is like considering that the sun won't rise. If you are prepared for a disaster how long will your preparation last before you are living off the land.

Where will you run, and hide from the unknown?

Why don't you mention guns and being trained on shooting them? A
stockpile of supplies will do you no good if someone bigger than you
wants your stuff.

How much do I not want to sit next to this guy at a dinner party?

There was a group of people who went to Louisiana and Alabama to help with the aftermath of Katrina. One of them said that those who prepared a little bit were able to get through the crisis better than those who did nothing. He recommended keeping at least half a tank of gas in the car at all times; half a tank will get you out of a disaster area better than a car with a quarter tank.

I have assembled a grab and go kit with the goal of surviving the roughly 72 hours before any help can be expected to arrive. I live in an earthquake prone area and being able to have some things like water purification tablets and emergency rations will help.

The best advice given is to form a small network with family and friends and work out ways to help each other and to determine locations to regroup.

I believe that many are not prepared because of a) denial..it won't happen here like that, b) too preoccupied with the struggle of daily life, bills, rents, and etc. 3) lack of money for long term preparedness however, when I speak with people, I've always told them 'when you go to the store, buy $5 worth of something to put away'. You'd be surprised at how much you could amass with just $5.

We don't prepare because its not rational. American's understand well, intuitively even, competitive economics. Its the Invisible Hand. Compare the cost / benefit of everyone everywhere preparing and few disasters occur in a few places. Sure some more will die and be hurt but the greater good will be served in that limited resources are being spent on keeping others / more alive and feeling better.

Problem is, where do you keep your disaster supplies?

If they're in vulnerable or unreachable location(s), they're meaningless.

And what about your dependents -- from human to pets?

Difficult issues -- think about them.

I have worked the disasters in Louisiana and Mississippi following
Katrina, and in the wake of the flooding in Iowa in 2008. Those
that were prepared (not just individuals but as Iowa showed
graphically, communities) fared better. Prepared communities
made a particular difference in helping folks get back on their
feet. Preparation does not prevent, and you cannot prepare for
everything, but it is way ahead of being pure victim.

Most valuable? Copies of insurance forms, deeds, financial
records, licenses and certifiicates, medical records, things
needed to deal with the bureaucracy while rebuilding. Don't think
only of the first few days, but of the years to rebuild.

A while ago National Geographic Magazine had a cover story about the fact that a huge volcano under Yellowstone Park is growing. It could explode tomorrow, next month or a thousand years from now. No one knows.

But if it does explode soon we certainly are not prepared for the immediate aftermath nor the years of worldwide year long winters which will so darken the atmosphere all crops will fail.

Other than building an underground shelter in Shepherdstown for high level government officials, their families and minions to live for 10 years what are we going to do? What can we do?

Me? I am stocking my basement with canned food, can openers, water filters and (of course) guns and ammo.

Are you willing to kill your neighbors to keep them from your stocked goods? Most people are not, therefore they do not bother stocking up (knowing that their stupid neighbors certainly will not have stocked up). If one family out of 4 were to stock up (which would be an extremely high percentage), then that 3 days worth of goods wouldn't last even 1 day, sharing it with the 3 unstocked families. So the only rational disaster plan is to run away from the disaster area.

Something is going to get you sooner or later. Enjoy the temporary ride called life.

Actually, I must agree with the main premise- we don't want to think about it. Want a three day supply? Then think what you need 3 days ahead and maintain that cushion. Refill perscriptions three day head of being completely out - most insurance plans will let you do that, and maybe keep sliding until your 15 days ahead.For other things, use your imagination. Want to store emergency water? Use plastic pop bottles. Instead of throwing them out or recycling, rinse them out and fill. Rotate them every so often by watering your plants. If you can afford an extra propane tank, keep one handy, and switch it out when your in use one is empty, and refill that one. Buy a load of batteries in bulk and use them in your regular devices.

The realty is - in most major disatsers, it will take time for government and nonbgovernment relief agencies to assemble the necessary manpower and move it. If theoads are blocked, getting relief will take longer. And yes, think about it first.

Americans have never been "prepared" for anything, proven by history, so why would you expect an about face? Len Norris, cosmicfoole@bellsouth.net

Americans have been prepared for anything in the past, so cosmicfoole is living up to his name. The ones who were prepared were primarily early pioneers who brought what they needed and made everythign else while living off the land.

I'd be happy if all americans stockpiled 1 months worth of supplies: food, water, fuel, hygiene, first aid+, clothing, repair materials. By the way, hygiene and food supplies should be rotated out and replaced before they become outdated. I find that stockpiling $500 worth and donating that yearly to the local food bank keeps my supplies fresh, helps those who need the help, and (if you keep your receipts) takes care of that tax deduction for charity at the end of the year.

3 months supplies is better. If you're going to survive a world-wide catastrophic event, you need at least a year's worth, plus viable seeds, farming and building supplies.

Some disasters require migration: coastal subsidence, super tsunami, invasions, volcanic eruptions, etc. Unfortunately, migration and long-term survival supplies don't go well together.

You can't prepare for the unknown.

While I agree it is a mentality issue, I don't think a survivalist mentality is what's required.

One defining characteristic of Americans to the outside world is that they are very pidgeon-holed in the functions they'll fulfill. They have FEMA to supply emergency provisions, so no-one else does it. A defining characteristic of those who survive disasters is that everyone does whatever it takes.

In Australia, Prince Charles was "attacked" in 1994 with a starter pistol (it turned out). Several people jumped the attacker, including an Australian politician. If you said that of an American politician, no one would believe it, not due to a lack of courage, but because it's someone else's job to do that.

America's early pioneers had this attitude, and unfortunately it seems to have been lost over time.

My $0.02 worth.

Judging by most of the responses, most people will not be ready because they are not capable of figuring out what they will need. This is not laziness but complacency. A few mention that in a disaster that people will steal your supplies; most people will help each other and only a few will steal supplies in the first few days.

There are a few responses that show that the way to survive is to be prepared just a little bit and to make plans. It is impossible to have a perfect plan or to have everything needed.

For those who do not feel that preparation is important, think of it as evolution in action when things do happen.

To add to jridge's response, we are a country that profits from fear.
Take the morning new's bad air quality warnings for example. Heck,
take the morning news for example; the threat of rain is a golden
egg for airtime. I get the sense that Americans are desensitized to
most fear-mongering. You ask, "Are you ready for the next mega-
disaster?" We answer with a sigh, "No, what do I need to buy now?"

THREE CHEERS for jtdavies and AtlantaTerry. You two must have been Scouts!
And steve_jonesuk@..., you would do well to make GOOD friends with people like these two. They MIGHT be willing to help you save your sorry butt that you don't seem to care enough about to do anything to save it.

I live just about a hundred miles from New Madrid, MO. Batteries, solar chargers, crank radio, gas generator, MULTIPLE firearms for both hunting and long and close range defence, assorted knives, brush clearing tools, etc. *WEG* >:)

I notice that there are frequent references to having guns as a an
essential item for your survival kit.

Even in a disaster situation , shooting people seems to be the American way.

I bet I'm further away from Yellowstone when it goes up, than you
are. The clue's in my sign-in name - my surname is "Jones" not
"Jonesuk".
Fascinating question though, we've been aware of the
supervolcano for at least ten years, everyone agrees the threat's
real, have there been any attempts to relieve the pressure?
But otherwise, what is it with Americans and their need to have a
bolt-hole in the woods?