The northwest is a cold, beautiful frontier. From the snow that sparkles in the winter sun to the rocky terrain of its majestic mountains, the northwest is certainly a sight to see. But that isn't to say that natural disasters cannot and will not happen.
When disaster strikes, it's possible to be prepared. Having an emergency kit at the ready will not only bring you peace of mind, it could even help you survive an ordeal you may not see coming.
It's no secret that earthquakes are the most common natural disaster to occur in the United States - even in the northwest. In 2001, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the ground beneath Washington state for 40 seconds, causing one billion dollars in damages and a heart attack in one individual.
There are many threats that you can encounter in the northwest. These natural disasters can include floods, storms, landslides, and wildfires. You may even want to prepare for earthquakes as well.
Preparing for each disaster individually can feel overwhelming at times - and that's okay. Try preparing by assembling one kit at a time, and acquire supplies over a period of a few weeks - or even up to a month before a certain disaster's season.
Start preparing for the most imminent threat, and then work your way towards those that are less likely to happen in your area any time soon.
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Buy on AmazonWildfires are fires that burn out of control and spread through wooded areas, grassy fields, and communities. Wildfires have been common throughout the west coast and the northwest region of the United States, and it's crucial to prepare before a wildfire becomes a threat.
Preparing for wildfires is simple - it's a mix of having the right insurance policies on your home, knowing where the fire is coming from, and having an emergency kit at the ready. Make sure your kit is light enough to be carried by a single person. You may even want to consider carrying certain supplies in your car or other emergency vehicle.
Severe thunder and rainstorms can strike anywhere - even over the quiet homes of the northwest. Storms can cause lots of damage, and even severe anxiety in some people. Being prepared for both the storm and dealing with extreme anxiety is an important part of being ready for a storm.
Storms can knock out power and cause flooding - and sometimes those events can put yourself and your family in peril. Have an emergency kit at the ready, and a windowless room to take shelter in.
You may even want to tailor your kit to include items that can comfort you or those with astraphobia - a fear of thunder and lightning.
Flooding is very common - and very serious. Flooding can happen during storms and heavy, continuous rain, and can result in water gathering in streets and neighborhoods. It's important to teach your children how to swim, and know how to perform CPR yourself.
It's easy to prepare for flooding at home, and even easier to get started on assembling an emergency kit today. When you need to evacuate quickly, it's best to have everything you might need in a bag to take with you to high ground.
Landslides can happen in the aftermath of many other natural disasters. Landslides are when large amounts of dirt, rocks, and debris falls (or slides) down large rocky or mountain terrain. Landslides can affect camping sites and homes - it's important to be ready for anything.
It can be intimidating to prepare for a landslide, but very necessary. Since landslides can happen at any time, it's important to be ready to evacuate the area quickly. Having an emergency kit on hand and ready to go can prove to be useful in times of need.
Earthquakes are terrifying events that can quite literally shake up the lives of countless innocent people. When plates in the earth shift, energy produced becomes shockwaves, which rock the surface, damaging homes, cities, and other structures.
Because there aren't a lot of ways to know when an earthquake will strike, it's important to be ready at any time. Knowing how to get out of your home quickly is crucial, as well as having an emergency kit at the ready outside of the home.
Now you know why and how to prepare for natural disasters in the northwest - while it's a beautiful area filled with tons of things to do and friendly people to meet, it can still be as dangerous as any other part of the country.
Be ready for whatever nature has to throw at you by assembling emergency kits for each member of your family - make sure all of your kits are kept up to date, and can be carried easily.
It's easy to get started, and it's easy to keep them maintained. You can get it done in a snap - don't be afraid to get started and assemble your kit today!
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