But what’s the next disaster that might threaten a US city? Rick Stonell predicts a problem in July. This is the time that Air Conditioning saves lives. For ecxample, in 1995 Chicago, there were 500 fatalities caused by a heat wave

The city set new records for energy use, which then led to the failure of some power grids: 49,000 households were without electricity at one point. Many people went to the city’s beaches, but others vandalized the fire hydrants. More than 3,000 hydrants around Chicago were opened, causing some neighborhoods to lose water pressure on top of losing electricity.

The city’s roads warped in the heat - train tracks expanded beyond their engineering limits and buckled, causing long delays for commuters and freight. Some schoolkids in city buses became so dehydrated/nauseous that the Fire Department had to hose them down. Hundreds of people were hospitalized with heat-related illnesses - and this was not just the very young and the elderly (although they were most vulnerable)

On Friday, July 14, thousands of Chicagoans had developed severe heat-related illnesses. Ambulances couldn’t keep up with emergency calls; hospitals were unable to cope: 23 assumed “bypass status” and refused to accept new emergency patients. Some paramedics were forced to drive around the city, looking for an open hospital

As the price of fuel increases - and the nation’s infrastructure decays, this can happen again. Do you have a way of staying cool?

I’m taliking about New Madrid, Missouri - the site of a major earthquake (probably Richter 8.0) in 1812. Seismologists are predicting a 90% chance of a similar event in the next 50 years.

see this link for more on the 1812 event: www.rick-stonell.us

Walkie-talkies and cellphones are cool toys - but I’d recommend that your kids have 2 things with them when they leave the house.

1. A roll of quarters - for payphones and bus rides
2. A good whistle - the scream of a child isn’t as loud as you think; but a good whistle can be heard for miles and it’s easier for an injured/trapped child to keep blowing a whistle than keep screaming.

see: http://www.fas.org/reallyready/index.html

This is DEFINITELY better than than the Government site - it is written for the web, rather than paper - which makes it MUCH easier to readon your computer screen

“I was amazed that no one was hurt,” Fire Deputy Corey Landry told the Portsmouth Herald.

Sections of the town of Rye still were blocked off by fallen trees Thursday morning. Lighting caused several house fires in Portsmouth, Newmarket and North Hampton. Fallen wires and tree limbs also blocked roads in Exeter, Hampton and Newington, police said. By midmorning Thursday, the number of power outages was down to about 2,300, mostly in Rye, North Hampton, Epping and Lee. “Damage has been extensive,” said Elizabeth LaRocca, a spokeswoman for Public Service Company of New Hampshire. “We have reports of sections of wire down, trees down on homes,” she said. About a dozen tree-trimming crews were called in to help clear debris, she said. Several hundred other outages were reported around Manchester, Nashua and Newport, she said.

In Greenland, a state trooper was injured when he was hit by a car while helping remove a fallen tree from Interstate 95. A car rear-ended a parked cruiser around 8:30 p.m., sending the car out of control and into a group of troopers who were directing traffic and trying to remove the tree, police said. Sgt. James White was knocked off the road into trees along the highway.

1. CPS Cellboost phone charger

Cellboost phone chargers are basically big disposable batteries - they come in a variety of models, each with a different plug to fit a different type of cellphone.

We found them very easy to use - they just plug in to the phone, with a reassuring “click” and a very solid. They are also relatively cheap ($10 or less) and easy to purchase (Walmart and Radio Shack sell them).

Best of all, they work as promised, giving an hour (or more) of extra talk time, and up to 60 hours of standby time. You can even use the phone while the cellboost is plugged in.

Unfortunately, they’re not rechargeable. But we do think that they are a good investment for anyone who travels. Here at rick-stonell.net, we recommend them for inclusion in a car kit. They have a shelf-life of two years, so you can keep an unopened one in your glove compartment - see the manufacturer’s website for specifications

2. The SideWinder cell phone charger

Even lower-tech. This is a pocket-sized unit that you power yourself.

Two minutes of “winding” with the hand-crank and you have 6 minutes of talk-time and up to 30 minutes of stand-by.

The only downside is that some cellphones need special adaptors

• Photocopies of ID documents such as birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, passports etc. Keep the originals in a safe deposit box or similar – non-notarized photocopies are OK for temporary ID in emergencies.
• Insurance details - again use photocopies and keep the originals in a safe location.
• Cash ($30-100) for immediate emergency use. Remember, in a power outage, you won’t be able to use debit/credit cards. Try to have at least one roll of quarters (for payphones and vending machines).
• Any prescription drugs needed. Rotate these for freshness. You can do by filling prescriptions “one refill ahead”. When your current package or bottle is finished, begin using the next supply from the bag - and replace with a new refill.
• Meal replacement and energy bars. These don’t have to be expensive items like MRE’s - but buy quality products like protein bars and hikers’ meal bars. You can also include dried foods or nuts, candies and oatmeal packs.
• Water purification kits or hiker’s filter system. Bottled water is bulky, heavy and goes stale - and did I mention that it’s HEAVY?
• Pre-paid phone cards and a list of emergency numbers. Check for expiration date and replace as needed.
• Communications/power. Again - remember that you may not have power. Get some way of powering a flashlight and radio (and cell phone if you have one ). Various manufacturers produce radios and cellphone chargers; you can get solar, squeeze-charge or even clockwork systems. Also, walkie-talkies have become so cheap nowadays that you should give serious thought to getting one for each member of your family.
• Multi-tool, Swiss Army knife or pocket tool kit. You may be able to make small but vital repairs and jury-rigs. Just don’t try to be MacGyver
• First aid kit: bandages, antiseptic ointment, sunscreen, a bottle of contact lens saline solution (good for cleaning injuries and flushing eyes), something to stop diarrhea (caused by bad water) and pain relievers.
• A safety lighter and candles (even Birthday Cake candles can be used). NEVER use these if there is ANY risk of igniting gas, propane or other leaking fuels. For safety, use your flashlight for your light source. Use the lighter and candles for starting cooking/heating fires.
• An indelible, waterproof black permanent marker - Bic Sharpies are a good choice (keep in package until needed). Useful for many things including leaving notes for rescuers or others on whatever is at hand, marking your gear at a shelter, and writing ID and medical info on the arms of kids, the elderly etc. - Warning! Use your judgement about revealing ID to strangers.
• Pet carriers - if you have pets, keep their carriers clean and readliy available. Your kit should have food, medications, leashes and important papers necessary for your pets Not all evacuation shelters will take animals. Plan ahead of time where and how you will take care of them.

The bag should be checked and the edibles or expirables rotated at least every 3 months or as needed (personally, I do it on the beginning of each month - this is also when I check my smoke/fire alarms). This list will cover most survival situations, but I encourage you to tailor it to fit your particular needs (especially if you have children: -diapers, toys, powdered milk, books, etc). Just keep the weight and size of the kit to something that you can carry for a long time - even if tired, hungry or injured.

Placement: a bug-out bag should be stored by the main entrance/exit, or in an easily accessible central location. I’d recommend that similar kits should be kept in your car or at your place of work.

Remember! A bug-out kit does not guarantee your safety! All it can do is help you and your family have the best possible chance of surviving a disaster.