Survival Scout Tips
What Happens in the Days after a Disaster?
We tend to focus on the disaster itself, but the actual disaster is not what we really should be worried about. It is the days following a disaster that will test us. Not only do we have to survive the hurricane, fire, or flood, but we must also survive the...
Amazing Survival Stories for National Preparedness Month
In 2004, September was designated National Preparedness Month after the attacks on September 11, 2001, highlighted the importance of being prepared. While the tragic events of September 11 shaped preparedness, we must also prepare for everyday emergencies and natural disasters. The theme of 2020’s National Preparedness Month is “Disasters Don’t...
Surviving a Year-Long Blackout: Lessons from Puerto Rico & the USVI
The recent power grid collapse in Texas wasn't just a one-time event. It was a warning: our system of power delivery is more vulnerable than most people know. A single major disaster—a cyber attack, a solar flare, or a few big hurricanes all hitting in a row—could set off a chain...
2 Timely Reminders That Preparedness Is Still Critical in 2020
Just two weeks into 2020, and the world hasn’t let us forget that we’re always at risk for deadly and damaging disasters. On January 7th and 11th, Puerto Rico was struck by 6.4- and 6.0-magnitude earthquakes, respectively. And since September 2019, Australians have been battling unprecedented countrywide wildfires. Whether...
Bomb Cyclones & Polar Vortexes: Extreme Winter Weather
As 2019 comes to a close, AccuWeather's “long-range forecast team predicts an active winter season is ahead for the northeastern United States.” As temperatures start to drop below zero more often, there’s no better time than now to review the potential natural disaster threats that could head our way. Today,...
Lessons from the Great Alaskan Earthquake & Tsunami
The earth shook for over four minutes. Roads split in half. Bridges toppled. Waves up to 213 feet tall crashed. Not only can this apocalyptic scenario happen--it has happened. And will again. As the largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States, the Great Alaskan Earthquake and resulting tsunamis and...
3 Locations to Avoid during a Disaster
When it comes to disaster planning and preparedness strategies, naturally you may zero in on assessing and determining where to go to seek safety and shelter. However, it’s equally important to know which areas to avoid during a disaster. Some places will without a doubt be overwhelmed by panicked individuals...
The Impending Mega-storm on the West Coast
Residents and visitors of California are all too aware of the impending risk of a major earthquake originating in the San Andreas fault. Or other connected faults. Such a quake could topple buildings, cut power, and kill hundreds. However, what people aren’t as familiar with is the threat of another...
Tales and Tips for Urban Preparedness
Although we all share similar concerns for our safety and survival, those living a preparedness lifestyle are quite diverse when it comes to age, gender, location, and more. However, by and large, we follow a similar set of guidelines when it comes to preparation. The setting we live in adds...
California Earthquakes: What’s Coming Next and How to Prepare
On July 4, Independence Day, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Southern California at 10:33 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles, and was felt from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on California's Pacific coast. Power lines fell, roads cracked, fires broke out, and first responders...
Key Disaster Advice from Survivors
We can always learn from statistics, general advice, and other forms of information--but what tends to stick in our memories and remain in the forefront of our minds are stories. That’s why in this post, I’m sharing collected disaster advice from five survivors of three scenarios: wildfires, earthquakes, and civil...
The Coming 2019 Food Crisis… and What You Can Do
From weather systems and climate cycles to economic systems and civil unrest, the agricultural systems in the U.S. are heavily reliant on many variables and factors beyond our control. 2019 is turning out to be an important reminder of this. In June, news outlets exploded with evidence of a coming...