December EP

Hey, a few ideas for December:
1. Those of you how have a natural gas fireplace - there is usually a battery pack behind the bottom grill - what this does is allow the fireplace to function if the electricity in your home fails. Make sure you have good batteries, or make sure there are batteries. I discovered that my batteries had gone bad, so I had to do a little baking soda brush up.


 Check out our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/625338730928729/

2. With the Christmas season upon us, a great gift is home food storage or other emergency preparedness items. Check the vendors link at the bottom of the blog links page - if you have other vendors, or great deals, post them here: http://wx14ep.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
You probably have seen the ads for Emergency Essentials, but most of the suppliers are running Christmas deals, so "buyer beware." 

3. Holidays bring out the best and worst in people. Please pass keep these numbers handy, or pass them along as needed:
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Self-Reliance

To get additional information, check out our Facebook page at Valentine and Mountain View Emergency Preparedness.

Gardening

I apologize for not posting any updates. I've been on vacation - a long vacation.  I will post updates for Emergency Preparedness as I receive them.

String beans, volunteer tomato, carrots, corn, radishes

For now, one of the best things you can do to be prepared is garden. It's pretty easy to do if you can find a spot with some sun and open soil. String beans, carrots, corn, and radishes seem to do well, although working the soil we have here in Woods Cross helps. To break up the clay a combination of Utelite and other mulches, soils, and organic fertilizers has helped me.

Incarcerated strawberries, raspberries to the right.

  To prepare beds for strawberries, I brought in some good topsoil and Nutrimulch, along with the Utelite and a tiller to mix it up. Strawberries, however, are very pervasive, so make sure you box them in. Raspberries, on the other hand, are pretty hearty, and I've had to do very little to the soil to get them to work. Like Strawberries, they spread, but not via runner, via the berries and birds. 

Nothing like tomatoes, onions, peppers, and some cilantro: salsa!

  I have found through trial and error, the best time to plant raspberries is in the spring, if you are buying them, or in the fall if you are transplanting or moving them. All of our raspberries and strawberries have been harvested and made into wonderful jam and smoothies. If you have any questions on gardening, feel free to contact your friendly neighborhood Utah State extension office.
  Visit our Facebook page and post pictures of your gardens and any tips you might have. Good luck, and Be Prepared!

High Wind Warning Update

You may have received this via email or Facebook - if not, here's an update from earlier this morning:

 

According to the National Weather Service  forecast, winds are now expected to be 30-40 mph sustained with gusts in excess of 60mph and localized gusts in excess of 75 mph possible especially in Davis County.

The strongest wind gusts will occur late tonight through Sunday morning.

Here is the high wind watch that is in effect:

http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=slc&wwa=high wind watch

Here is a graphic showing the affected area:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=slc

If this forecast holds, it will not be as bad as it was in 2011 for most people but we still suggest securing all loose objects and being ready for downed trees, power outages and other problems high winds can cause.  Keep in mind that the actual weather may not be as bad as predicted but, unfortunately, it could also be worse.

In addition to the preparation you have already seen in previous posts, here are some more things you may want to consider:

Confirm that your neighbors know about the possible threat.

Review emergency procedures with family members.
Test generator and chainsaw if you own these items.

Chores and other activities you may have planned that will be limited/impossible if the power is out.

Severe Wind Warning - Saturday, April 30, 2016

We are expecting a strong east wind event that has potential to rival the wind storm of Dec 1, 2011.

As it gets closer we will have a better idea about the impact and timing, but I wanted to get this preliminary information out to you ASAP so you can be ready.  Here is the latest info:

Prolonged Bountiful Wind Impact

·         At least Moderate impact event (99% confidence) of several hours of at least 50 mph winds
·         High impact event likely (85% confidence) of several hours of at least 60 mph winds
·         Catastrophic event possible (50% confidence) of several hours of at least 70 mph winds.  This could be similar to the December 1, 2011 event.
·         Timing: Saturday night through Sunday night, with peak wind speeds Sunday morning and evening
·         More details can be found here:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=slc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sox5d05fn4k

 For updated information on this wind event go to: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/

Here are some general recommendations to prepare for the wind:

• Make sure all loose items such as patio furniture, garbage cans, barbecue grills, sports equipment and trampolines are secured.  Please help any neighbors that might need assistance with this or it might be your house damaged by flying objects.
• Check your emergency equipment and 72 hour kits in case it is necessary.
• Check to make sure you have flashlights or other emergency lighting available in case the power goes out.
• Make sure your communication equipment is charged.
• Goggles (safety or ski goggles) make working in strong winds safer and more comfortable

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sox5d05fn4k&authuser=1

Beware the Ides of March: Emergency $$$

Et tu Brute?
Not all emergencies are Hollywood natural disasters, zombie apocalypses, or extreme weather. Sometimes, it might just be karma or dumb luck that puts an individual or family into an emergency situation where they have no employment, which leads to no money, and eventually no food or peace of mind.
In addition to having a supply of food, water, and other essentials, sometimes we need to have a storage of liquid cash, as well as a budget in place that helps us prepare for emergencies like unemployment or sickness.
I remember well the young couple days, two small children, trying to finish a degree, and working two to three jobs just to make ends meet. Not a lot of of room left in the budget for savings or emergencies. Fortunately, we had friends and family that were there, and there were no emergencies, but over the years, we have set aside enough liquid cash to get us through a month or two of whatever Fate throws in our path. You can do the same.
This month's area message from the NSL Legacy Stake is on Making a Family Budget.
You do not have to be a member of the LDS Church to benefit from a budget.
Follow the link to learn more. Here are two very important things to consider:

• A budget needs to be something that is written down.
• Make sure your budget includes paying yourself (that liquid cash for emergencies).

Remember that most banks and credit unions have budgeting tools available for free. They can assist in determining where money is being spent, where cuts can be made in current spending, and where savings can be found.
A simple budget worksheet can be found here. Another great resource is a pamphlet the church put out many years ago called One for the Money. In addition to having a budget worksheet, what really helped my wife and I was the Debt Elimination Calendar. Check it out if you have credit card or other debt that you need to get rid of to be better prepared for an emergency.
Good luck!

Emergency Heat Sources

 

In an emergency, no matter what season, heat is a critical component to survival. Obviously, in the winter months, heat keeps one from freezing to death, but in the other months, a heat source can be used for cooking, and nothing cheers the emotional and psychological state of a human being in an emergency situation than a hot meal. Please consider the following links to articles and commercial sources:

http://www.offthegridnews.com/grid-threats/3-emergency-heat-sources-when-the-powers-out/

The Ready Store 

Hot foods in an emergency are not only delicious but comforting. With these cooking stoves and fuel items you can stay warm and heat all of your emergency food.
These fuels and other heating options are all safe to use with food, so you can keep your family healthy and safe.
You can heat your campsite and warm your food in any condition. You will be able to start a fire in rain, wind and snow. Be prepared for any emergency with these cooking and fuel items.
http://www.thereadystore.com/emergency-preparedness-supplies/cooking-and-fuel

Emergency Essentials

Located nearby, if you would like to go in and talk to someone, or purchase cooking or fuel items, Emergency Essentials is great.

Cooking & Kitchen Supplies: http://beprepared.com/emergency-gear/cooking.html
Fuel Options: http://beprepared.com/catalogsearch/result/?dir=desc&limit=24&order=relevance&q=fuel

Fire is good. Fire is our Friend

https://youtu.be/wzhGIOeAciE