We’ve all watched with awe and horror as Ike ripped through the southern portion of the United States, bringing residents of Texas and surrounding areas to their knees. Our hearts go out to those who have been devastated by this event and to those who have lost homes and family members.
My mother is serving a mission in Houston right now and shared with me some of her experiences. Working in the employment center, she has been able to help many displaced persons find what they need in order to keep going. Other friends of mine also live in the area and are experiencing loss of power, although their home is safe. As I’ve read notes from yet other friends and relatives, one fact keeps jumping out—those who had emergency rations in their homes were calm and able to reach out to help others, while those who had no rations felt helpless and overwhelmed.
I can’t even count how many times we’ve been counseled to put in our food storage. This counsel is usually made in reference to the last days, but we’re seeing more reasons around us every day to get our food storage now. And not just food, but batteries and flashlights, extra blankets, and whatever else we will need in order to sustain life.
You will also want to customize your storage with things that are unique to your area. The residents of Texas, Louisiana and the surrounding states will want to collect items of particular use in times of tornado and hurricane, while residents of Utah and Nevada will want to prepare more for earthquakes.
Having a supply on hand just simply makes sense. There are those who feel it’s over the top and cultish to stockpile—well, I’m not telling you to go out and buy a thousand guns, for goodness sake. Having extra food in your cupboard just simply makes sense, for times when paychecks run short, when company stops by, when green beans are on sale and if you buy a case, you won’t have to buy them again for a while.
Be aware of what’s going on around you. If you live in an area where tropical storms are frequent, watch the weather report and stock up on milk when things get a little iffy. We can feel prepared despite the rampages of the weather or the other elements. We’ve been promised that if we are prepared, we shall not fear. It’s good advice. I highly recommend following it.
Related Blogs:
When Disaster Strikes: How You Can Help