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I dont like to bring up a whole lot of prepping type stuff, but Texas is a prime example of why it’s essential to prepare. Water stores, food stores, power sources, first aid, arms and ammunition, communication... prepare. First for the probable, then for the possible.
If youre in the suburbs or city, you can still prepare. There are a lot of great youtube channels dedicated to preparing on a budget, preparing in the burbs, preparing in the city, etc. Get through this crisis as best you can and then knuckle down and be prepared for the next one
If youre not in Texas, start preparing now. It’s never too late and the more prepared you are the easier it will be to help others around you when crisis hits and lessen the burden on emergency services.
I was already pretty prepared just mentally and “stuff” wise, but Hurricane Sandy and 11 days with no power and freezing temps shined light on glaring holes. Thankfully I was able to weather the bad times and made adjustments. I have a minimum of 500 gallons of water stored
at all times now. Enough food be for quite some time, etc etc. watch the videos. Sensible preparedness isn’t fringe “doomsday prepping.” It’s preparing for a Texas situation.
Another thing, I have powered carbon monoxide detectors in the house, but I also have a couple battery powered ones stashed away. If the power goes out, having those is ESSENTIAL to survival!
It’s overwhelming if you let it be. Start small, assess what assets you have, what you think you need, and add gradually. Start by having your pantry have enough dry goods to feed you through a long weekend. Then a week, then 2 weeks. Buy what you eat. Rotate your older stuff.
Also, dont leave things like laundry till the weekend. Run a load every day. Power goes out, you’ll be glad youve got those clothes cleaned. Keep a weeks worth of brand new, packaged underwear in the closet. No power, no laundry, clean underwear goes a long way.
Seriously, just go find practical prepping channels on youtube, look for the beginner stuff and start getting squared away for a Texas situation. Stay safe, be prepared.
Back to the situation in the now... your head and feet is wear the majority of your body heat escapes. Wear a hat and make sure your feet are covered. Air trapped between layers is what keeps you warm. Not the layers themselves. If you can, put your under armor shirt on first
This has wicking and will wick any perspiration away from the body. Dry = warm. Dont waste energy and heat by leaving the house open. Pick a room, keep everyone in it, close the other doors, and dont use those rooms. Movement also generates heat. Pushups, jogging in place
etc, all will get your body temp up. Roll towels and stuff them at the foot of doors, hang blankets over windows or duct tape plastic over them. Anything to add insulation. Be extremely careful with open flame. You dont want to burn your house down by knocking over
a candle while dozing. stay hydrated as best as possible. You can live 3 weeks without food, only 3 days without water. Huddle up to stay warm as well, sharing body heat. If the power comes back, anticipate it may go back off again, prioritize your power uses,
Charging phones and backup batteries first. If water is flowing, run a load of laundry and fill up water containers, even the bath tub if needed. If you have a tent and sleeping bag, set them up and use them inside. Trap as much heat as possible. Do not use propane stoves
Or run your car in the garage unless you have proper ventilation! Keep your phone use to a minimum to conserve vital communication power. DO NOT USE THE FLASHLIGHT ON YOUR PHONE. Use a real flashlight. Save the phone’s battery for comms. Turn on the low battery mode, it stops
apps in the background from communicating wasting valuable power.
