We’ve all been on planes and heard the Flight Attendant go through the safety talk at the beginning of the flight.  Where the exits are, how to use your cushion as a life-preserver, don’t forget to put your mask on first, etc.  Most of us tune it out, but the people on the flight that landed in the Hudson and survived will tell you how important it is to listen and check where the exits are.  They have a new perspective on flying and life.  Actually, checking on where the exits are anywhere you go is important.  Stores, restaurant’s, etc, in case of fire you have a head start.  My self-defense teacher always taught us to be aware of our surroundings.  Most woman know where the bathrooms are in stores, but do they know where the exits are?  Everyone is going to run to the main door, but are there other exits that lead to the outside, and safety?

Well last week I heard people complain about how our Governor had implemented a State of Emergency for the Panhandle prior to Michael hitting land.  They said “what a waste of money.”  Really?? Are they still of that opinion?  The towns where it landed were leveled.  Brings to mind Hurricane Sandy several years ago in the New York, New Jersey area.

It started out a simple Tropical Storm, then a category 1 or 2.  No big deal.  Don’t worry about it.  Surprise!  It was 10 mph short of a cat 5 when it hit

Now it was headed up to the Panhandle, and people in our area were not worried about it at all.  Well I don’t trust any storm until it hits land somewhere else.  I watched Charlie coming straight for Tampa Bay several years ago.  We thought we were going to get nailed.  I kissed the horses on the nose and said “I’ll probably never see you all again.”  Many people ran their horses inland to Orlando, and some went up to Georgia and the Carolina’s.  So what did Charlie do?  Made a sharp turn and destroyed Punta Gorda and head right up the middle of the state to Orlando, then on to Georgia and the Carolina’s.  Surprise!!!!

We are located inland, half way between the west coast and Orlando and usually don’t get the full force of a storm.  Erma last year hit us direct and we did just fine, but are you mindful and prepared?  Do you even think about it?  Or is it “oh it won’t happen to me.”

Yes Hurricanes are something in the forefront right now, but what about the people in California and Montana that have been dealing with fires?  What about the states that deal with Tornadoes?  Earthquakes?  We are all vulnerable to some kind of natural disaster, and some not so natural.

No electric, no water, or if you have water, it’s contaminated.  Feed stores gone, hay gone.  Vets can’t get out to help an injured horse.  Are you really ready for this kind of situation?  Oh, I have a generator, but do I have enough gas to run it for any length of time.  You’re not going to be able to get gas even if the stations have it, because there is no electricity to work the pumps.

I’ve filled troughs and bath tubs during some hurricanes, but the amount of debris in the trough really made them undrinkable, great for flushing the toilets though.  What I did find out was that my bathtub does not hold water overnight.

Then after the storm you have to deal with all the standing water, which is usually contaminated.  They are having a tough time in the Carolina’s with pythiosis.  Cuts from debris leave an opening for this dreadful infection which eats away the horse’s skin, so hard to treat, if not impossible.

As horse, and pet owners we have a lot of responsibility placed on us.  Always be mindful of possibilities.  Be active in your thoughts and plans.  If it doesn’t happen, well then it was a good safety drill, but if it does at least you had a plan in place.  Put First Aid supplies in water proof containers.  Gauze, cotton wrap, or even quilts and leg wraps aren’t any good if they are soaked with disgusting water.  Not to mention grain that must be kept dry.

Also you need an after plan.  What if your place is totally destroyed?  Where are you and your animals going to live?  Give some thought to where you can relocate your horses.  There are people on the internet, right now, trying to find houses, barns, and property here in Florida.  It made me think, how can they just leave their jobs and relocate to another state.  Well chances are their jobs no longer exist either.  Do you have friends who will take in your horses?  Maybe at least for a short time until you get your act together.  It’s hard to focus when your home, barn, furnishings, clothes, and memories are in a heap being carted away by dump trucks.  There’s way too much to think about after it happens.

When a bottle of water becomes a precious item, don’t get caught in a bad situation, there may not be any help available for a long time.

Tag, your it, be prepared.