It's almost one year since the disaster in Japan in 3/11/2011(Earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear plant accident). I tried to write something about the disaster, but it turned out to be somewhat difficult emotionally. It feels like too heavy. So today I am going to write something lighter instead.
After the disaster, I made some changes in my life. They are very small changes (not counting my marriage). They are a part of my disaster awareness program.
I read about the disaster. They lost lifelines for 3-14 days, and who had gas in car had some advantage in the situation. So, I've made it a custom to keep an eye on the gas gauge, and keep the gas above 50% full. In addition, I keep some water and food that should last for at least 3 days in house, following American Red Cross' recommendation. Giving it a thought about real basic stuff like food, water, heat source (fire), toilet, shelter, medication, first aid supply, transportation, some money.....How would I handle the situation without these? It was a good exercise.
They say connection to information can be lost and leave you uninformed. Now I carry portable radio/crank flashlight in backpack. According to the people in evacuation camp, it was quite practical.
They say safe place may be difficult to find after their primary residence was destroyed. Now I thought of a few safe places I would go in case of emergency.
They say traffic can be terrible. I check out alternative routes to destination. Assuming internet, GPS and cell phones would be down, I keep a local map in the car, too.
These may sound basics. These may have been common sense. Thanks to the disaster I realized that I had neglected these preparation exercises. I don't expect Tsunami to come to my current place (very inland), but the preparation are applicable to possible regional threats like earthquake, snow storm and nearby tornado.
Maybe I should buy a helmet too, for bicycling and for weathering close-by tornado, hailstorm and fallouts from earthquake.
Obviously I am nowhere near those Doomsday survivalists. But I am glad I am prepared a little better than before.
