Earthquakes
And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places -D&C 45:33; D&C45:48; D&C 88: 87, 89; D&C 133:23-24; Mormon 8:30
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says on their website: "According to long-term records (since about 1900), we expect about 17 major earthquakes (7.0 - 7.9) and one great earthquake (8.0 or above) in any given year." This is a worldwide statistic, so it would still be prudent to be ready no matter where you live.
Here are some ways you can prepare your family before an earthquake:
Ø have a plan for what to do when there is an earthquake and how to contact each other afterwards
Ø identify the safest place in each room and hold drills for children to practice getting there, ducking down and covering their face to protect them from flying glass
Ø know how to turn off your gas, water and electricity
Ø prepare 72 hour kits in case you have to evacuate and store them by the escape exit
Ø store a three month supply of food, water, and equipment in case freeways are down and stores are not stocked (this way you can help your neighbors too)
To prepare your house before a quake:
Ø secure heavy objects and furniture, including your water heater, to the floor or the wall;
Ø remove all wall hangings and items that could topple over away from beds;
Ø keep large trees near your home trimmed;
Ø have flashlights and batteries in each room;
Ø do not store heavy or liquid filled containers in top shelves;
Ø attach childproof latches to high cupboards with breakable items
During an earthquake:
4 If you are inside your home get to a center wall, corner or doorway, get down and protect your face from flying glass
4 if you are outside try to get to an open space, do not try to run into a building
4 if you are in a car stop and stay put until the shaking stops, then proceed with caution avoiding bridges or other structures that may have sustained damage
4 if you are in a store or office step away from windows and displays, avoid the elevators and stairwells, duck under a sturdy table or lean against an interior wall and cover your face and neck to protect yourself from flying debris
After the earthquake:
8 make sure no one is injured and attend to them if needed
8 meet your family in the designated emergency location
8 call your family's out of town contact person to inform them of the situation and then only use your phone for an emergency
8 prepare for aftershocks
8 listen and smell for gas leaks: if you suspect a problem turn off your gas, but if not leave it alone as it might take weeks for the company to get around to turning everyone's back on
8 inspect your home for damage and clean up spills and debris
8 only use a flashlight or light stick for light unless you are sure there is no gas leakage
8 listen to the radio for information
There is nothing you can do to prevent an earthquake from hitting, but you can still be prepared for when it happens and lessen the possible damage
EMP's
EMP stands for "Electromagnetic Pulse." In layman's terms an EMP is a huge power surge or wave created by either a severe solar storm or certain types of bombs detonated at high altitudes. An EMP is not known to be directly harmful to humans, but it destroys electronic equipment.
The most recent naturally occurring large scale EMP in the U.S. was in May of 1921 and was the result of a geomagnetic storm produced by a solar flare. It was not a devastating event simply due to the rudimentary stage of commercial and domestic electronics in that time period. The last time a manmade EMP was tested by the United States was in July of 1962. It was created using a thermonuclear warhead detonated at an altitude of 250 miles above Johnston Island on the Pacific Ocean. Electronics in Hawaii were knocked out even though the explosion was 897 miles away because nuclear bombs actually create electromagnetic multi-pulses. Whereas a weaponized EMP event in the U.S. is possible, an EMP as the result of a solar storm is probable, if not imminent.
Considering the recent drastic advances in electrical technology, and our utter dependence on microelectronics in both public and private sectors, most of what we can read about the effects of an EMP on our modern society is speculation. Based on simulations and results of nuclear experiments done during the Cold War, some hypothesize that ALL electronics and electrical equipment will be rendered useless in the event of an EMP: cars, computers, cell phones, cameras, cardiac monitors, EVERYTHING! There are different camps about the state of the equipment (for example, whether it’s grounded, turned on or off, shielded adequately, etc.) and the varying degrees of chaos that would ensue if within literally a nanosecond the entire continental U.S. is thrown back into the 19th century. There are countless articles online detailing the possibilities should you like to do further reading.
Regardless of the answers to the foregoing questions, there are a few reputable facts: We know that NONE of the power grids (controlling electricity and thus water systems, sewage systems, traffic systems, etc.) in the United States are hard-wired, and thus are vulnerable to EMPs. The recovery time would be at least two years depending on which other countries are affected because the U.S. has no capacity to rebuild and replace the transformers that would be fried in the electrical grid. We know that ALL communication systems (television, satellites, telephones, radio, etc. ) in the United States would be affected by an EMP unless they are hard-wired and protected. Virtually none of them are. These systems as we know them would NEVER recover. We know that the U.S. military is nowhere near completion of preparing for an EMP event. They simply aren't allowed the budget. Additionally, we know that the United States government put together a committee (most recently in 2008) to assess the threat of an EMP by an attack or natural causes and the readiness of our country to deal with said event. The results were bleak at best, yet virtually no practical action was taken.
So what can we do as individuals to prepare for this inevitable event?
Ø Have a plan. Discuss as a family what you will each do when there is an EMP. Where will you go? How will you get there? What will you do when you get there and for how long? How will your family survive the weeks, months, and years that follow an EMP (have short term plans and long term goals)?
Ø Follow the long standing counsel of prophets and have a supply of water, food and survival equipment for your family. Plan on having no electricity and all that implies: no light, heat/air conditioning, running water, sewage, etc. Plan on society not functioning: no hospital, bank, post office, stores, law enforcement, waste management, etc. Plan on sharing with friends and neighbors and protecting your family from potential enemies.
Ø Be prepared to live independently: grow your own food, make your own clothing, collect and purify your own water, have your own church and school, treat illnesses and injuries, etc.
Ø Aside from buying hardwired equipment or old school tube-based electronics, theoretically there are ways to protect stored equipment to use after an EMP. The most practical way for civilians to save their essential electronics is to use Faraday cages. Simply put, Faraday cages redistribute electromagnetic waves, leaving the field inside neutral. Surge protectors on your computer are Faraday shields. Microwaves are Faraday cages in reverse because they keep the waves from getting out- your food gets cooked because the waves just bounce around inside. Let's say you want to store a battery operated short wave radio to get information from other countries that were not affected by the EMP (great idea!). Wrap the radio in tin foil, put it in a plastic bag or container, and wrap that in tin foil. Then place that in an old microwave with the cord detached (so it doesn't act as an antenna). For extra precaution you can place the microwave in a plastic garbage bag and then wrap it in chains to further deflect the charges. This is called a nested Faraday cage and should work to protect against an EMP. An aluminum tool shed could also act as the outer layer of a nested Faraday cage if you need to store larger equipment like a solar powered generator (another great idea!). Other metals such as copper or lead would work to construct a Faraday cage, but they are not readily available like aluminum foil. You can also buy premade nested Faraday cages online in box or bag form that are not too expensive if you would feel more confident with something made professionally.
Ø Important data from your computer should be saved on archival grade DVDs or CDs. They will not be affected by an EMP.
Ø Batteries will not be affected by an EMP so have some on hand to power your short wave radio, flashlight, walkie-talkies, hot plate, clock, etc. (or whatever!) that you saved in your nested faraday cage.
8 It is practical to consider the ramifications immediately following an EMP event. You might be driving and thus get into a car accident and/or have to walk home. Include a first aid kit and comfortable shoes in your Emergency Car Kit. Recent simulations and Cold War era experiments fires were common after the pulse, so own and know how to operate fire extinguishers. These are just examples and there are countless other scenarios to consider, so don't worry about them unless you can do something about them. The point is to prepare, not panic. Think about your normal routine and how an EMP would affect it, then take the steps necessary to avoid as much distress as possible.
8 Although this is nowhere near essential, something to think about is the amount of time you will suddenly have freed up in your day once electricity is out of the picture. Have all the kits described in this booklet ready, and for sanity's sake, develop hobbies that don't require electricity to do.
Fires
Let him who is on the housetop flee, and not return to take anything out of his house; -JS Matt 1:14; Rev. 8:5-9
You can all but eliminate the possibility of a house fire by following these simple guidelines:
Ø keep your smoke alarms in working order
Ø own and know how to operate a fire extinguisher
Ø cook responsibly and never leave combustible material by the stove;
Ø keep matches and other fire-starters away from children
Ø do not overload electrical sockets and don't overlook tripped circuit breakers
Ø follow the instruction manual when using space heaters
Ø if you use a wood stove or fire place, have the chimney cleaned annually
Ø don't smoke
Ø store any flammable liquids outside your dwelling away from heat sources
If there is an accident or a wildfire:
Ø have a 72 hour kit that includes copies of important documents near your escape exit
Ø have an escape plan and practice it (you may only have two minutes to escape your home!)
Ø draw a map of your home with primary and secondary escape routes for each member of the family from their bedroom and a location to meet outside
Ø teach fire safety:
4 crawl under the smoke line
4 sleep with bedroom doors closed
4 feel doors before entering or exiting and if hot escape another way
4 call 911 from the neighbor's house
Ø back up your computer files online and have a record of valuables for insurance purposes
8 Remember that your life is more important than your property. Get to safety with your family while you can and stay there until help arrives and authorities give you further instructions.
Hurricanes
And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. -D&C 88:90
Hurricanes are the most devastating to those living near the gulf or a coastline. But even if you do not live in these areas, preparing for hurricanes still isn't a bad idea because it covers a lot of bases that you would have to deal with for other natural disasters anyway.
A "Hurricane Watch" means that a hurricane may develop from an existing storm.
A "Hurricane Warning" means that a hurricane is coming your way and will hit within 24 hours. Hurricanes have what is called an "eye" at their center that produces a period of seeming calm that could last for as long as 30 minutes. But do not be fooled! The winds and storm that come after the eye are often more violent and will be blowing in the opposite direction then they were before. The main cause of death during hurricanes is drowning so stay inside and away from the water.
Before a hurricane:
Ø Make an evacuation plan with your family including an out-of-state contact to tell where you are going and when, and a secondary route in case the first way is impassable
Ø Have your 72 hour kits ready and be stocked up on water and nonperishable food items
Ø You may be without electricity and/or gas so have flashlights, candles/lamps, and a way to cook your food
Ø Keep trees near your home trimmed
Ø Protect your windows by putting up shutters
Ø Get the proper insurance
If a hurricane watch is issued:
4 Be sure you have a full tank of gas
4 Bring everything inside that you can (lawn furniture, garbage cans, bikes, etc. ) and secure what you can't
4 Be sure important documents and valuables are secured in a watertight container
4 Turn your fridge to its coldest setting to prepare for electricity loss and don't open it if possible
4 Close and board your windows or tape them with an 'X' pattern
4 Be aware that there may be power surges so prepare for a blackout and unplug appliances
4 Seek shelter, and listen to the news
4 Do not stay in a mobile home
If a hurricane warning is issued:
4 Seek shelter immediately.
4 Listen to the news, and if told to evacuate, do so.
4 Lock your home before leaving.
4 Follow your predetermined plan.
4 Be wise! Follow authorities' advice and do not try to 'wait out the storm' if you are told to leave.
During a hurricane:
4 Stay inside away from windows.
4 Beware the 'eye' of the storm.
After a hurricane:
8 Remain sheltered until you are absolutely sure the danger has passed, listening to the radio for information and further warnings.
8 Assess the damage and check for injuries.
8 Give first aid where needed.
8 If you had to evacuate be cautious when re-entering your home.
8 Check for gas leaks, pipe bursts, downed power lines, etc.
8 Beware of snakes, insects, and other rodents driven indoors by the storm.
8 Ventilate your home.
8 Take pictures of damage for insurance purposes.
8 Call your out-of-state contact and report on your situation, but then use the phone only for emergencies.
Riots
Mass outbreaks of violence, civil unrest, and destruction of property spurred by religious differences, racial discrimination, political upheaval, and other causes, take the lives of thousands of people around the globe each year. Angry mobs are just as unpredictable and deadly as any natural disaster and can materialize anywhere at any time for any reason. Though you may not be able to avoid a riot if it comes to you, there are some steps you can take to prepare yourself physically and mentally to cope with the situation.
4 Remain calm! Adrenaline and survival instincts will kick in, but try to keep your wits about you and make choices that will keep you safe.
4 Get inside and stay inside:
4 most riots happen in the streets or large community squares so go inside somewhere safe
4 choose your safe haven carefully as it may take a while to wait out the storm
4 lock the doors, shut the windows and move to an inner room
4 do not try to watch the riot
4 call local authorities to report the situation and inform them of your location if you need help
4 plan two different escape routes in case the building you are in becomes a target, catches on fire, or is otherwise rendered unsafe
4 If you cannot find shelter and are caught in the midst of the riot:
4 remember that the longer you stay in the riot zone the more likely you are to be injured or killed
4 think rationally and act decisively to get to safety
4 do not take sides or become involved in any way
4 slowly and methodically move to the outside of the crowd away from the commotion and seek escape
4 do not run, panic, or draw attention to yourself in any way
4 do not approach police lines as they may treat you as part of the problem
4 avoid being hit by crowd controlling agents (tear gas, rubber bullets, etc. ) by patiently staying on the sidelines and actively seeking safe escape
4 avoid major roads and public places, including public transportation vehicles and stations
4 do not try to push your way out of a crowd, but rather go with the general flow working your way to the outside and safety
4 if you trip or are hit to the ground you may be trampled to death so get back up quickly or curl yourself into a ball to protect your face and vital organs until you can get to your feet again
4 wear or put on close-toed shoes and clothing that protects any exposed skin to avoid minor injuries
4 If you are in a car and encounter a riot or are escaping a riot zone in a car:
4 do not stop your car for anything until you are out of danger
4 if you cannot drive forward drive backward
4 honk your horn and drive at a moderate speed past those who might get in your way
4 avoid main streets and busy traffic areas
4 driving through a crowd should be done with patience as any aggression may lead to your car being commandeered by the mob; on the other hand if you feel threatened your car may be used as a 2,000 pound weapon
4 If you are traveling outside the United States and encounter an area of civil unrest, leave. Sightseeing is not worth your life. If you must travel in the area:
4 register with your country's consulate
4 make escape plans with those you are traveling with so you all know where to go and what to do in an emergency (routes, safe meeting places, means of communication, time tables, etc.)
4 carry your passport with you at all times
4 carry extra cash with you in case of an emergency for travel fares, to pay off looters, or bribe policemen at checkpoints
4 usually riots are a couple days in the making as situations escalate to a breaking point so be aware of your surroundings and listen to local news
4 if a riot does break out with no warning, contact the U.S. Embassy and follow their instructions
4 also be sure to dress appropriately: do not appear overly wealthy; do not wear colors or jewelry affiliated with either side of the fight; make yourself as inconspicuous as possible
