Natural Disaster Preparedness

Recently our friend Clay provided us with some great information regarding Earthquake preparedness and resulting tsunamis as well as some discussion about volcanic activity, all of which should be considered in Northern California. Much of the information below is from his presentation along with a substantial amount of research from various disaster preparedness entities.

In keeping with the main reason for starting this website, we want this to be a resource for those who are trying to become better prepared. It is not intended to be a "be all end all" site. Each of us has a responsibility to do research specific to our personal and family needs. As a result, you will find a number of website links attached that will help you continue your journey.

This page is always under construction - I plan to go around the entire picture above and identify each separately even though some overlap may occur.

Tornados - While our local area is not directly impacted by tornados, it is important to be informed in the event of a high wind situation. Make sure you can access local weather or NOAA to know if there a tornado is imminent. Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible whereas, a tornado warning means a tornado is near or occuring and you need to take shelter immediately. Always have a plan ahead for appropriate shelter. Ready.gov has some great information to help become better educated and prepared. https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

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Fires - This one affects everyone, everywhere. There are so many different ways that fires can impact our lives. Not only the obvious destruction that fire can do but also the hazardous smoke that can affect us from a fire hundreds of miles away. Depending upon the type of fire, there can be significant amounts of toxic chemicals contained in the smoke.

What do we need to do? First and foremost make sure we have working smoke alarms as well as carbon monoxide alarms. These devices are relatively inexpensive and have literally saved lives. Test them regularly and make sure batteries are fresh. During the testing, it may be a good time to make sure everyone in a household understands what to do if the alarm sounds off.

Carefully check electrical wiring and plugs. Make sure the receptacles are not overburdened. Just a simple test may be to place a hand near or on the receptacle to make sure there is no heat being generated, if so, look at what is plugged in and unplug things. There are also meters that can be placed in the circuit to measure how much current is being pulled. This may also be a time to have a qualified technician test your circuit.

Dryer vents are often a culprit in household fires. Be sure to clear the lint from the lint trap each time the dryer is used. It may be a good idea to make sure the dryer vent is working properly as well. They should be clear of debris. 

Keep flammables appropriately stored - these can often cause a problem if there is too much heat or freezing and cause the container to rupture. Candles, Cooking and batteries used in our electronics are all significant contributors to household fires.

Fire extinguishers - get them and learn what the do and how to use them. There are different fire extinguishers that will control different types of fire. It is important to know what they are and how to properly use them.  

Here is a great website to find more information on fire prevention - https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/ 

A word about Lithium Battery charging - this is an excerpt from a well respected tech guru named Kim Komando ( I know funny last name but so is mine). Kim has been on TV/Radio for many years. Her newsletter come out daily.

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering your phone, laptop, iPad, toothbrush, e-bike, EV and power bank. We love them because they’re compact, rechargeable and efficient.

But fires caused by lithium batteries are becoming more common and more dangerous. A small phone battery can ignite a couch. Let’s make sure you and your family are safe.

🔥 Why these fires happen

If lithium batteries are damaged, defective, overcharged or get too hot, they can enter something called thermal runaway. This is a chain reaction where the battery explodes violently, burns and spreads faster than most people can react.

And no, it’s not just cheap knockoffs. Fires have started in brand-name devices, too. But cheap chargers, off-brand batteries and poor storage make things way worse.

For those who have E- Bikes: ·  Only buy e-bikes with a UL 2271-certified battery. That label means it passed real safety tests.

·  Use the charger that came with your bike. No cheap replacements.

·  Never charge it indoors, especially overnight or when you’re not home.

·  Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sun.

·  If your battery smells weird, hisses or bulges, unplug the bike immediately and call the fire department.

Volcanos - Volcanic activity is more widespread than most people realize. Even if you are not directly impacted by the volcanic blast or lava flow, the amount of ash shot into the sky can be huge. That ash can directly impact air quality for people hundred (and maybe thousands) of miles away. The morning after the Mt St. Helens eruption, we had ash covering everything at our home in Montana about 600 miles to the East.

Below is a picture of Mt Lassen in 1915 from Clay's presentation - this still active volcano lives about 140 miles north of Sacramento, Ca.  as the crow flies. If anyone thinks they are unaffected by volcanic activity - think again.

Tsunamis - Tsunamis can be one of those disasters that happen quickly and with little warning. Given the deadly nature of a tsunami, it is always imperative to know if you are in a tsunami area or not. They are generally caused by an earthquake which could be 1000's of miles away. One of the telltale signs near the beach is the sudden receding of the water. Essentially, this water is being force back and then quickly released. I look at it sort of like a rubber band being pulled back then let go. There is no real danger until it is pulled back, then the resulting wave comes crashing back into the coastline. In the case of Mt St Helens, it caused a tsunami that completed reshaped nearby Spirit Lake with is 600+ foot wave that went half way up nearby mountainside. Ready.gov has some great ideas to be better prepared if you are in a tsunami area. That link is -  https://www.ready.gov/tsunamis

Earthquakes - MUCH more to come