Living in the midwest means a lot of peace and quiet, open spaces, and unfortunately, many natural disasters. Preparing for natural disasters in the midwest is thankfully not difficult in the slightest, and you may even have most of the supplies you need already.
Take inventory of what you already have in your home - get your supplies organized, and make sure you have everything you might need. If you have extra batteries or flashlights, put them in a bag that could be used for your emergency supplies. Replace expired supplies with new items.
One of the most well-known disasters of the midwest is the flooding of 1993. Months of flooding due to heavy rain and thunderstorms caused chaos in many states - such as Kansas, North and South Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. 48 lives were lost, and the estimated damage was over 30 billion dollars.
The dangers that come with the midwest include tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires. When you're out in the middle of nowhere, you may feel even more isolated that you would in a small town or city.
When you're on your own, it's important to have all the supplies that you may need in your home. There won't be any time for supply runs when disaster strikes. It may take a bit of time to prepare for everything that may happen - but it will be well worth it when you have a supply kit to get you through the day.
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Buy on AmazonTornadoes can arrive quickly and touch down anywhere, tearing up trees and leveling buildings as they go. Tornadoes happen when cold, dry air comes into contact with hot, humid air. When the two temperatures are unable to mix, they move around each other, creating a tornado.
One crucial step to surviving a tornado is to seek shelter immediately. It's best to get underground if you can, and take shelter in a basement or a root cellar. Keep supplies and emergency kits in your tornado shelter so you can get to safety without wasting time grabbing supplies.
Make sure to avoid panic-buying and hoarding - pack for what you will need, and make sure your supplies are up to date.
An earthquake will happen when there is a slip on a fault - then there is sudden friction, and the energy created is then released through waves that shake the surface. Earthquakes are one of the most common natural disasters to take place - at least in the United States.
The golden rule of surviving an earthquake is to remember to drop, cover, and hold on. Practicing this regularly will not only drill it into your head, but it will also come naturally to you and your family when disaster strikes.
But sometimes dropping, taking cover, and holding on isn't enough. Damage can be done to homes, and it can be crucial to get out of potentially damaged buildings as quickly as possible. Having an emergency kit at the ready will allow you to grab supplies and get out as quickly as you can.
Wildfires can break out anywhere at any time - they can even stem from man-made causes. Campfires, still-lit cigarettes, and even certain gender reveal parties can set off wildfires that burn out of control and even spread to homes and communities.
The best way to prepare for a wildfire before it begins is to be ready to evacuate your home in a moment's notice. Consider getting an insurance policy that will protect your home and belongings from wildfires, and have an emergency kit at the ready for the times you need to evacuate immediately.
Make sure your emergency kit is light enough to be carried by a single person. You may even want to consider keeping some emergency supplies in your car or other emergency vehicle.
Flooding can be a huge problem after severe storms and other emergencies. Flooding is when water collects and pools in places it doesn't normally. Flooding can happen in streets, parks, towns, and neighborhoods.
It's easy to prepare for flooding in your area. Know how to find and get to high ground before the flooding arrives, and what to pack in an emergency kit. Have an emergency kit at the ready for when you need to evacuate the area.
It's important to keep your emergency kit somewhere accessible - you may even want to keep a kit at an emergency shelter on high ground. Keep your kit up to date, and make sure you have all the supplies you may need.
While life can be quiet and peaceful in the midwest, that doesn't mean that small towns and tiny communities cannot be shaken by nature's wrath - disaster can strike anywhere at any time. Even in small communities that are usually quiet and peaceful.
While intimidating, we know that you're ready to do whatever it takes to keep your family safe. And sometimes the simplest, smallest things pay off later
Building an emergency kit is one of those simple, yet effective, methods. Knowing how to build a kit, where to keep it, and how to keep it up to date will come in handy one day. It's never too late to get started - start building yours today!
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