When I lived in the Midwest, I had a basket next to the door to my basement that had the dynamo radio, a slicker, dogs' leashes, flashlight, batteries, thick blanket, and a wine skin with water (changed it often in tornado/severe storm season). When a storm was imminent, I also threw my purse next to the basement door. When the sirens sounded, I went down. In the winter, I always had a half cord of wood at home and never traveled by car without a thick blanket, a lighter, and extra clothes in the trunk.

Here, the only disasters I can think of involve nothing natural. Maybe there is an occassional hurricane/tropical storm, but I am inland enough and on pretty high ground compared to sea level.

I'm probably too complacent.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Don't worry about that one bit. I'm sure FEMA would be over in hours to pluck you out and take you right to safety. I hear they might even have a few spare trailers on hand, too.

As for me, I have enough food and water to last a couple of weeks. Plenty of battery operated equipment, such as radios, walkie-talkies, TV (and a LOT of batteries), clothing in waterproof bags, battery operated pump, flotation devices, kerosene heater, a lot of candles (and things to light them with), portable gas stove, LED flashlights (highly recommended) and a plug-in power converter with two gassed up vehicles parked outside. And PLENTY of cash.

And, if they run it again, I STRONGLY advise watching the "Survivorman" episode on surviving urban disasters.

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Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

If FEMA came to pluck me to safety, it would be cool to ride the sling of a helicopter - never done that.

I saw Survivorman once when he was stranded at sea. An urban one would be interesting - I haven't the first clue about urban survival (after diasaster, that is).

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

It's an interesting question.

We generally have enough food/beverage/alcohol in the house to last a week or two, and enough camping gear to survive inside or out for an extended period.

Of course, it's not really a conscious decision that we've made to be prepared or anything.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

And How!

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

I'm not as prepared as I should be probably, got enough water and food for about two weeks but that's about it. Then again Jacksonville isn't really a high risk area for much of anything, despite it being in Florida. Tornado's are rare, hurricanes just give us a lot of rain by the time they get here and the occasional tornado that tends to not show up on the west side. As for flooding there is some risk since I live where used to be wetlands but apparently Floodsmart.gov says I'm low to moderate chance of that happening. Though I do live pretty close to fishing creek (like walking distance), which will take you all the way up the St. Johns.

I'm absolutely not prepared for any disasters. The only natural disasters I have to worry about though are earthquakes and to a much lesser extent, floods.

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Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004

You can download it through various torrent sites like this one:

Survivorman Urban Disasters S01E01 (download torrent) - TPB

We are prepared for most emergencies.

Flares, jumper cables, air compressor, dc power converter, couple of gallons of water in the vehicles.

Plenty of camping and backpacking gear.

A cord of wood ready for the fireplace, a coleman stove, a charcoal grill, and about two weeks of food and water in the house.

More guns and ammo than any sane/normal person would probably own.

Battery operated radio and cb radio. Plenty of flashlights, waterproof matches, and lighters around.

We survived the huddled masses that came our way during and after katrina - not even considering that we had no power for two weeks after katrina.

I think we're ok as far as pre-preparedness goes...

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"Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves." ~ Lord Byron

That reminds me to go to Wally world tomorrow and pick up some more rounds for my Sig357 and my 22's and my 20 gauge. I may even pick up a box or two of 30-30's for my Texas Bicentennial rifles that have never been shot. Big brother coming to my doorstep will change that scenario thougn.

I buy all my bulk ammo at gunshows - much better pricing.

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"Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves." ~ Lord Byron