# 5332
For constant readers, I apologize for sounding a bit like a broken record on the need for individual, family, and community preparedness. But events such as we’ve witnessed overnight in Christchurch are a reminder that yes . . . it can happen here.
At least, in most areas of North America, and for that matter, much of the world. We live on a seismically active planet where earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis occur with some regularity.
1. Based on observations since 1900. 2. Based on observations since 1990. NOTE: The NEIC estimates that several million earthquakes occur in the world each year. Many go undetected because they hit remote areas or have very small magnitudes.
Source: National Earthquake Information Center, USGS
Seismically active areas of the world
While I grew up in hurricane country, for about 10 years I lived in the orange ring of the bullseye (New Madrid fault) in the center of our country.
In 1811 and 1812, that fault produced four of the largest quakes ever felt in the United States (8.1-8.3), so I have a keen appreciation of the hazards.
Earthquakes, like Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods, and yes . . . even pandemics . . . are hazards everyone should be aware of, and prepared to deal with. A prime focus of this blog has always been preparedness.
If you’ve already taken my preparedness sermons to heart - feel free to skip the rest of this blog. I’ll be back later today, I’m sure, on another subject.
But for those who may be new to this blog, or for those who haven’t as yet taken the essential steps to prepare for an earthquake, tornado, flood, hurricane or any other major disaster, the following is a short list of a few of the preparedness essays I’ve written.
Planning To Survive
Resolve To Be Ready In 2011 Toolkit
FEMA: Preparedness Gift Suggestions
The Gift Of Preparedness: 2010
The Gift Of Preparedness (2009)
Cold Weather Car Bag
Thanksgiving Is Family History Day
NPM10: FEMA Asks, "Are You Earthquake Prepared?”
NPM10: An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness
Inside My Bug Out Bag
Red Cross Unveils `Do More Than Cross Your Fingers’ Campaign
And last, and perhaps most important:
FEMA, READY.GOV and the American Red Cross all strongly encourage you to be prepared to deal with a wide range of emergencies.
They know that during a major disaster, they may not be able to provide assistance to everyone during the first crucial 72 hours.
You and your family need to be capable of fending for yourselves, and hopefully helping your neighbors, until help can arrive and services are restored.
As Ready.gov reminds us:
Do it today.
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