What Would You Take?

[Judee]

Hi Dera,

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire. The smoke was already billowing through the trees on the back part of our property when the sheriff drove up the hill and told us to get out -- fast!

We had sixteen thousand sq. feet of aviaries full of birds. We also had goats and three dogs. That day changed my life. You learn without thinking what is and isn't important. When it was over, I told myself that Hell was right here on earth.

[Delphine]

When we evacuated for Katrina, it was our third or fourth evacuation. The hurricanes before had turned and gone another direction, and we were able to return home the next day.

It does get old. We were going to stay through the storm, except some friends urged us to come with them. I packed a change of clothes and my guy took his golf clubs (he thought he might get a round in ). And the cat.

Now, we have a dog to take. I guess I'd take my jewelry.

You all are right. You can go nuts trying to decide what to save.

But, WARNING...don't be so sure your insurance company will leave you smiling when it's all over.

[Mcnowhere]

Hi Dera,

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire. The smoke was already billowing through the trees on the back part of our property when the sheriff drove up the hill and told us to get out -- fast!

We had sixteen thousand sq. feet of aviaries full of birds. We also had goats and three dogs. That day changed my life. You learn without thinking what is and isn't important. When it was over, I told myself that Hell was right here on earth.

How did you save the birds Judee?

A forest fire is a possibility here, as we are surrounded. A big one could wipe us off the map.

[Delphine]

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire.

Judee, Are you being warned that fires could start easily now...considering the drought?

[Divinorumus]

I have some important papers that I should really keep somewhere else,

Although original documents of value should be kept in a safety deposit box in a bank (which itself isn't a perfect solution if your town ends up under a dozen feet of water or burns to the ground), you can still scan them and send backup copies to a few relatives for safe keeping. I've already done that with all the family photographs and video I've accumulated and collected (and it's nice to share them with other family members at the sane time too). You can easily encrypt personal document backup discs you store elsewhere too.

I keep all of my important info such as insurance and bank account info and online account passwords and contact and address info on one of those flash drive key chains. It's all kept in a compressed and encrypted file. Your can't even view the list of files without a password. It's handy to have, for example, your Ameritrade info with you when you're a thousand miles from your home computer and the market begins to show signs of an imminent crash before you can get home to SELL, SELL, SELL! Ha. Keep some photos of your home and valuables on them flash drives too, it can help with insurance claims (can you make a list of all your valuables from memory and not forget something, particularly during emotional distress?). "Seriously Mir Insurance Man, I really did have a Picasso hanging over the fireplace that burnt my home down. Look at my photographic evidence, and trust me, that picture of my luxurious living-room is not photoshopped. Now pay up!" Ha.

[VOguy]

We have several hand carry safes, inside the big safe, which contain all our "important" stuff. If we have to bug out, along with the kids and cats, we have the important stuff.

[Judee]

How did you save the birds Judee?

A forest fire is a possibility here, as we are surrounded. A big one could wipe us off the map.

Word went out throughout the community, and people showed up with trucks, cages, etc. We were throwing birds into anything and everything we could, even live animals traps, just to get them out.

Are you in B.C. or Alberta? I know that forest fires in B.C. are getting worse and more frequent. It's a scary thought. I hate fir trees now.

[Judee]

Judee, Are you being warned that fires could start easily now...considering the drought?

Yes indeed. In summer, you sit on pins and needles hoping some moron doesn't drive by and throw a cigarette into the treed areas. People are so thoughtless. But yes. Even in winter now, it can get quite dry. It never used to be like that.

[Mcnowhere]

Word went out throughout the community, and people showed up with trucks, cages, etc. We were throwing birds into anything and everything we could, even live animals traps, just to get them out.

Are you in B.C. or Alberta? I know that forest fires in B.C. are getting worse and more frequent. It's a scary thought. I hate fir trees now.

BC, North Van Isle, Judee. We haven't had any significant forest fires up here for quite a few years. But I've seen some big ones in my time. Nothing that has threatened our community, but that's just luck as far as I'm concerned. Every summer the logging industry closes up shop due to dry forests for a week here and there over the season. When the lawns go brown, I think about how threatened we could be.

[Alpha]

Great thread that really makes one think!!

This reminds me of just how unprepared I am for some major tragedy like this and I had better get organized.

Like most of you, I would ensure that my family, both human and furry would be safe.

Then, I would want to take all the things that have heart value that $ can not replace: those special gifts, cards, photos...and of course my HDs

Important documents are a must as well....guess we all should have a plan and have these things in one place.

Judee, Delphs, Dera....I am sorry for your experiences...I can't even imagine.

I'm glad that you all got through it o.k.

[Judee]

BC, North Van Isle, Judee. We haven't had any significant forest fires up here for quite a few years. But I've seen some big ones in my time. Nothing that has threatened our community, but that's just luck as far as I'm concerned. Every summer the logging industry closes up shop due to dry forests for a week here and there over the season. When the lawns go brown, I think about how threatened we could be.

Wow. That is so neat, as I want to move to Vancouver Island someday! Has it changed much? I remember when I was young, it didn't seem like the forests got dry like they do now, except up in the interior of B.C., and that's always been that way. They've always had fires up around Kamloops, Penticton, and further north. I lived in Laidlaw, B.C. when I was very young. (Ha! Look that one up if you can find it!) What's the cost of living like in B.C. these days? Anyway, they've ruined Vancouver as far as I'm concerned, that's why I'm thinking of the Island. I love nature and privacy -- can't stand towns or cities! My sister lives in Toronto, but that's too (brrr) cold and too insane for me!

[Judee]

Great thread that really makes one think!!

This reminds me of just how unprepared I am for some major tragedy like this and I had better get organized.

Like most of you, I would ensure that my family, both human and furry would be safe.

Then, I would want to take all the things that have heart value that $ can not replace: those special gifts, cards, photos...and of course my HDs

Important documents are a must as well....guess we all should have a plan and have these things in one place.

Judee, Delphs, Dera....I am sorry for your experiences...I can't even imagine.

I'm glad that you all got through it o.k.

It never hurts to be a 'little' prepared Alpha. I now keep a list in my top desk drawer of things to grab. When you have a dire emergency, your brain doesn't work at all, and you're liable to forget something critical. I also keep the dogs leads all on one hook in the laundry room. That's about all I have in the way of 'preparation'. I also went around the house taking pictures of everything, and put them in my safety deposit box (not that the insurance company wouldn't fight about everything anyway). Unfortunately, with earth changes increasing almost monthly, I think we're all in for a bumpy ride in the future!

Thanks for your kind thoughts Alpha.

[Project]

my oldest guitar, my solar panel, laptop and camping bag (prefilled with all the normal survival stuff).

In a pinch, just the camping bag