Topic 47 of 92: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Sat, Jun 9, 2001 (23:59) |
Marcia (MarciaH)
It is bound to happen. Floods, earthquakes, volcanic episodes. We live on a dynamic crust of a very live planet. Suggestions to help you make it though your next disaster are shared here.
32 responses total.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 1 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Jun 10, 2001 (00:02) * 1 lines
The first thing I do is have sturdy shoes under my headboard. In them are socks, and leather gloves. On a little hook beside the bed is my flash light (check batteries often), my scanner - police and fire and civil defense, and my little whisk broom. How will you do in a hurricane or tornado aftermath? What will you drink? Eat? Wear?
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 2 of 32: Rob Glennie (AotearoaKiwi) * Sun, Jun 10, 2001 (06:12) * 6 lines
Hi
Tornadoes are freaky little things that come with supercell thunderstorms.
Supercell thunderstorms are highly organised and often spectacular aerial sculptures. They have distinctive features like a GUST FRONT - the wedge shaped cloud on the front of a well organised storm. Some have SHELF clouds which are essentially broad wedge shape clouds that have VERY STRONG outflow winds (sometimes strong enough to blow out windows). The more severe storms may have WALL CLOUDS. These can circular shaped lowerings of the storm cloud base and any tornado is almost always there. Sometimes a noticeable change in cloud colour can occur immediately behind a distinct line in the cloud (usually representing a cold front). To understand and prepare for tornadoes it is helpful to know what storms may produce them and what to look for in a storm.
Rob
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 3 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Jun 10, 2001 (15:13) * 2 lines
Tornadoes are something I have only once chased with my son - we saw only one little vortex or two whirling slowly from the great massive over-grown anvil cloud. Watrer spouts occasionally come ashore in Hawaii and take roofing tiles with them, but otherwise they are benign and rare. I am essentially only book and a college meteorology course taught about tornadoes. I'd love to understand
more about them. Understanding the enemy is half the fight. Knowing what could happen is the best defense. Getting underground is best!
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 4 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Jun 11, 2001 (21:47) * 1 lines
While you're stashing your survival food under the bed, consider a light bit of food to grab and run with. Power Bars and water will hold you for a while. Remember your stores are as badly hit or worse than your house is so you may be on your own for several days. Make sure you take enough for each person in your family! Let them take their own. A spare pack pack per person is a good idea.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 5 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jun 15, 2001 (16:02) * 3 lines
I noted on the TV ads last evening that "canned" tuna now comes sealed in foil envelopes. This is great for "flight" food. Protein that packs in small space. Nuts down that way are also nutrituous and store for a very long time before they "go off" depite their pull dates. Dried fruits sold in reclosable Ziplock bags are also good. Look around and share what you have discovered.
It is amazing what your kids and you will eat when you get hungry enough and there is nothing else to be had. Oh, and before we forget this most necessary item, get a big dispenser or two of gellied alcohol meant for hand sanitizing.
You don't need disgestive upsets due to dirty hands! Put one with your flee items and one ineach of your stashes around the house. It can be used on scraps and cuts, as well! I always carry some in a little container... and a few bandages.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 6 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (13:55) * 41 lines
I have posted the following comments from Geo 26 because they will be lost in future posts, and this particular discussion needs to be considered. I am grateful to John for bringing up the subject. We tend to pretend it will not happen, then are victims of our own negligance.
John Tsatsaragos (tsatsvol) * Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (06:46) *
Hello all
I wonder how would react each one from you if it was informed from reliable source that it is becomes a big earthquake in the area
where you live. Let us to say 6.5R or greater. This is hypothetical question. How do you feel? Are you ready for an information
like this? What must you do just after and later?
John
Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (13:42) *
John, you ask a very good question. I had hoped to get a discussion on Geo 47 about just these questions. What would I do? I
would shut off all power - especially the gas lines. I have, in the past, put treasured items standing on tables on the carpet
underneath the tables. Water and flashlights and large safe candles (with matches)plus small radio with a lot of extra batteries
should be ready in a box ready. I already have a cache of emergency food ready to go, along with my valuable papers and
jewelry.
Where would I go? Good question. It depends on where the earthquake will hit. I am safer in my home than just about anywhere I
could go. I would secure a place in the boxed rafter place and close the doors surrounding me. I have ridden out a 6.7 and a 7.2
earthquake there. Nothing has shifted.
Would I want to know? Yes! I have friends who are living in much more dangerous places than I. I would invite them to be with
me safely in my home. Should evryone be told? NO!!! In fact, I would not even tell my fiends why I have the guest bathroom
barricaded. They would find out soon enough.
I keep my pulbic service scanners charged at all times. I might even be called for disaster relief work. Right after the quake I would
have my hiking boots on and with a flashlight, inspect the house to see if it is safe and will not fall in on me. Aftershocks are
expected, so I would try to stay in the safe place until time has passed. I do not have gas lines. I would check them if I did before
lighting matches and candles. I would check water lines, also. If I went outside, I would not walk next to buildings which might
collapse on me or have pieces of decorative work breaking off and falling down. In fact, I would hope I would be self-sufficient for
several days and not need to add to the congestion in the streets. I would check to see if my neighbors are also ok even though
they are not nice people.
I'm sure there is much more to consider. Always have sturdy shoes by your bed in any case for middle-of-the-night earthquakes.
Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (13:44) *
In the short term, a large open field is the best place to be during an earthquake. What would you do?
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 7 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 12, 2001 (13:55) * 1 lines
Don't forget to store pet food. They are also memebers of your family.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 8 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Thu, Dec 20, 2001 (22:17) * 3 lines
Indeed! Our schools require disaster kits (more like earthquake kits) to be kept in a ziploc bag (gallon)--things like clothes, a snack, etc.
I am absolutely not prepared in my house. Don't have the secondest clue what to do (the first being, climb under something and don't go outside for a while after the shaking stops).
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 9 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec 21, 2001 (18:32) * 30 lines
Wolfie! Please tell us what is in those zip-lock bags you children make, please! I also hope you have a pair of shoes with sturdy soles on them under your head board of your bed. in each pair should be a working flashlight
(torch for those across the pond and in the other parts of the Empire) AND socks!
Keep the candles away from everyone until the gas mains are checked for leaks!
In the front of our telephone book, there is a list of things to have on hand and a check list for after the earth stops quaking. I'll be posting this as time permits.
Be safe! Suggestions for when the house settles again:
* Keep family together. If you find your house is unstable, leave a note as to where you have gone for those seeking to rescue you.
* Take your survival kit
* Turn off all utilities at the main circuit breakers and valves.
* Take important papers and identification and insurance with you. Cash too!
* Check neighbors (that was always my first priority)
* Lock doors and windows
* Plan for pets. They are not allowed in shelters. My ex took his chances and left his cats home thinking it more traumatic to move them than to leave them alone.
* Board up windows if possible
* Wedge sliding doors AT THE TOP
* I am adding a small transistor radio to this list from our phone book.
Next will be upon returning home or coming out of hiding when the quake subsides
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 10 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec 21, 2001 (18:40) * 21 lines
Upon returning home or coming out of your safe place after an earthquake:
* Wait for the official "All Clear" (We have sirens in Hawaii - for those who do not, turn that transistor radio on!)
* Treat downed power lines as "Hot" and stay away from them and metal fences. Be especially careful when cleaning up fallen trees and limbs. They may have live power wires in them.
* Enter your home and other rooms carefully. Open windows and doors for fresh air and to dry damage from broken pipes.
* Don't sightsee. You might be mistaken for a looter. Leave the roads clear for emergency vehicles.
* Do not use open flame until you are sure there are no broken gas lines. (There are none in my neighborhood.)
* Report broken water, gas or sewer lines to your utility companies as soon as possible.
* Photograph damage to your home inside and out. Make temporary repairs to minimize further damage.
* If you have loast power, don't connect an emergency generator to house wiring!
* Keep your radio on for further information.
*
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 11 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec 21, 2001 (18:42) * 1 lines
WATER !!! If you don ot have sufficient bottled water, you MUST purify the tap water until officials notify you of its safety. Bring it to a rolling boil for a FULL FIVE MINUTES. Or, use cholorine or water purification tablets.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 12 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Fri, Dec 21, 2001 (19:13) * 1 lines
good tips! (i've gotta look up the stuff for the school kits)
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 13 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec 21, 2001 (20:03) * 1 lines
I'l also be posting from FEMA and other disaster-preparedness sites. Thanks for bringing the subject up, again. I'm sure my local phone book is not the ultimate source for information! Rob mentioned elsewhere that it was important to have more than one cache of food and water. If you only have one, almost certainly your house will collapse on it and make it unusable!
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 14 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 27, 2002 (20:01) * 1 lines
Wolfie and others, I have just watched TSUNAMI ! on The Learning Channel on TV. I am concerned about Southern California and particularly the Los Angeles Basic's vulnerability to locally generated Tsunami. Wolfie, how far from the sea do you live? Rob? I am assuming that John lives a bit above sea level in Greece. Please let us discuss Tsunami preparedness. We live with the fact of one happening. We just don't know when. But we are ever vigilant.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 15 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (17:12) * 1 lines
the sea is a hop skip and a jump from my front door (1/4 mile at most)
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 16 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (18:00) * 1 lines
If there are buildings between you and the water this is good! and sufficient to protect you from any surges. I suppose it is too much to ask if you are on higher land than sea level?! I rememeber it being pretty much flat where you are.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 17 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (18:58) * 1 lines
yes, i am above sea level and have to run down a hill (if the fence wasn't there) to get to the water.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 18 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (19:18) * 1 lines
You will be safe, then. I am much relieved to hear that. After the waves have cleared out the houses in front of you, I'd consider moving before another tsumani event occurs. I also suspect you will be long gone from the area by then. That program asked the beach inhabitants what they thought a tsunami was. They got, for answers: a kind of sushi, a Japanese restaurant, a new foreign movie, and everything but what it really was. Try it on your office mates. They also did not know what they would do if one happened once they knew what it was. That is NOT good!
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 19 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (21:04) * 1 lines
actually, i'm facing an inlet (part of the port of L.A.) towards the east, probably no tsumani event would occur there. as far as the west coast goes, there's lots of stuff between me and the wide open ocean. thanks for the concern *HUGS*
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 20 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 28, 2002 (23:24) * 2 lines
As Mother of Geo, I worry about everyone in here! Especially Wolfie sorts.
*Hugs*
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 21 of 32: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (07:23) * 6 lines
March 19 — An asteroid as wide as a Boeing 747 narrowly missed Earth this month — and we never knew it was coming. The case of asteroid 2002 EM7 has drawn attention to the gaps in the planet’s infant system for monitoring potential threats from space.
More at
http://www.msnbc.com/news/177595.asp?pne=msn&cp1=1
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 22 of 32: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (07:26) * 1 lines
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 23 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (14:15) * 1 lines
Fantastic, Terry! Thanks for posting. Shall we go the way of the dinosaurs?
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 24 of 32: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (14:34) * 1 lines
Only if one of those 'stroids sneaks by, and this one sure did.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 25 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (16:47) * 1 lines
They might be designated as Catasteroids?! Disasteroids?!
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 26 of 32: Curious Wolfie (wolf) * Wed, Mar 20, 2002 (17:20) * 1 lines
*laugh*
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 27 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Apr 10, 2002 (18:29) * 19 lines
UPDATE: Wireless HELP and Homeland Security Coding
The following information is being provided as a result
of numerous inquiries regarding information on these
issues.
(Please forward this information to those who might benefit)
Wireless Device HELP at
http://208.184.24.125/rc202903.html
Homeland Security Coding system explanation info
printable at:
http://208.184.24.125/DefaultNewsEmergency.asp
Email Signup/Addition/Modification/Deletion:
http://www.emergencye.com/
Click: UPDATE EMAIL LINK
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 28 of 32: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Mar 6, 2004 (07:13) * 42 lines
Scientists want to be ready to block asteroid from hitting Earth
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/02/24/defending.earth.ap/
The asteroid believed to have wiped out dinosaurs 65 million years ago
was rare but hardly unique, say scientists gathered to discuss ways of
aggressively defending our planet from another such space rock,
including by detonating nukes in space.
Asteroids capable of inflicting damage on a global scale hit the Earth
roughly every million years, and we shouldn't dawdle in developing a
method of deflecting them, say the scientists attending a four-day
planetary defense conference in suburban Orange County.
Scientists have proposed a variety of strategies to nudge an asteroid
off course. The list is the stuff of science fiction and includes using
lasers, mirrors or atomic weapons launched from Earth.
Unlike any other type of natural hazard, an asteroid impact could kill
billions of people. But it's also the only natural hazard that can be
prevented, at least in principle, scientists said.
and
Earth Nearly Put on Asteroid Alert
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3517319.stm
Astronomers have revealed how they came within minutes of alerting the
world to a potential asteroid strike last month.
Some scientists believed on 13 January that a 30m object, later
designated 2004 AS1, had a one-in-four chance of hitting the planet
within 36 hours.
It could have caused local devastation and the researchers
contemplated a call to President Bush before new data finally showed
there was no danger.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 29 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Mar 19, 2004 (13:01) * 3 lines
Good heavens! When I created this Distaster topic, I did not think of asteroids hitting us. I cannot think of a way to prepare for this.
However, it is coming on tornado season so it is time to check the fresh water supply in the room where we hide from the storms.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 30 of 32: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Apr 15, 2004 (19:49) * 89 lines
http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/impacteffects/
is an impact calculator
For example:
Your Inputs:
Distance from Impact: 805.00 km = 499.90 miles
Projectile Diameter: 1609.34 m = 5278.64 ft = 1.00 miles
Projectile Density: 3000 kg/m3
Impact Velocity: 72.00 km/s = 44.71 miles/s
Impact Angle: 45 degrees
Target Density: 1500 kg/m3
Target Type: Competent Rock or saturated soil
Energy:
1.70 x 1022 Joules = 4.05 x 106 MegaTons TNT
The average interval between impacts of this size somewhere on Earth is 1.3 x 107years
Crater Size:
What does this mean?
Transient Crater Diameter: 34.31 km = 21.31 miles
Final Crater Diameter: 54.65 km = 33.94 miles
The crater formed is a complex crater.
Thermal Radiation:
What does this mean?
Time for maximum radiation: 0.71 seconds after impact
Visible fireball radius: 0.6 km = 0.4 miles
The fireball appears 0.2 times larger than the sun
Thermal Exposure: 1.88 x 103 Joules/m2
Duration of Irradiation: 67 seconds
Radiant flux (relative to the sun): 0.0
Seismic Effects:
What does this mean?
The major seismic shaking will arrive at approximately 161.0 seconds.
Richter Scale Magnitude: 9.0 (This is greater than any shaking in recorded history)
Mercalli Scale Intensity at a distance of 805 km:
III. Felt indoors. Hanging objects swing. Vibration like passing of light trucks. Duration estimated. may not be recognized as an earthquake.
IV. Hanging objects swing. Vibration like passing of heavy trucks; or sensation of a jolt like a heavy ball striking the walls. Standing motor cars rock. Windows, dishes, doors rattle. Glasses clink. Crockery clashes. In the upper range of IV wooden walls and frame creak.
Ejecta:
What does this mean?
The ejecta will arrive approximately 436.0 seconds after the impact.
Average Ejecta Thickness: 2.8 cm = 1.09 inches
Mean Fragment Diameter: 1.4 mm = 0.0568 inches
Air Blast:
What does this mean?
The air blast will arrive at approximately 2683.3 seconds.
Peak Overpressure: 32683.6 Pa = 0.3268 bars = 4.6411 psi
Max wind velocity: 61.9 m/s = 138.5 mph
Sound Intensity: 90 dB (May cause ear pain)
Damage Description:
Interior partitions of wood frame buildings will be blown down. Roof will be severely damaged.
Glass windows will shatter.
About 30 percent of trees blown down; remainder have some branches and leaves blown off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Impact Effects Program Copyright 2004, Robert Marcus, H.J. Melosh, and G.S. Collins
These results come with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 31 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (14:56) * 1 lines
They are wrong about the effects of a 9.0 Richeter quake. Stuff falls and walls crumble and hardly anything is left standing including the people. 161 seconds of shaking is an eternity. Hold your breath for that long and imagine the substrate on which you stand is thrashing around violently. That time is an eternity. You feel it long after the shaking as subsided.
Topic 47 of 92 [Geo]: DISASTER: How to prepare for the eventuality
Response 32 of 32: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Apr 20, 2004 (14:59) * 1 lines
Vibration (take it from one who has felt quite strong quakes) is like HEAVY trucks. Your whole world shakes! There is nothing light or gentle about it.
Geo conference 
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