Recent events have pointed out that at least some of my planning assumptions need to be rethought. Here are some of the changes

1. I'm going assume that my family will be without any sort of help for 7-10 days.

2. This means more food, but mostly more water -- 40 liters minimum, stored in 5 gal and 2 L containers.

3. We may have to self-rescue (walk out) after a period of shelter-in-place.

4. More planning for the pets; stored food, water, leashes and kennels for transport

5. Lots more training

TRO

I believe the original idea behind the 72 hour kit and the .gov recomendation was because they plan to be there within 72 hours to rescue you. I think this would normally be the case from looking at other disasters, this one was just larger than they could handle.
Some things I noticed from the NO mess, people didn;t have their ID's with them and it was needed to get through the checkpoints. I have seen many people who take their wellet out of their pocket and keep it in their car, desk drawer, whatever. You should always keep your wallet with you, it should be the first part of your EDC and should have the most basic ID, cash, credit/bank cards.
People were without clothing and shoes after they evacuated. I'm thinking of buying and extra pair of shoes and clothes and putting under my bed so if I do get caught by surprise I can grab them and have clothing if I have to exit via the window or roof. My cell phone, wallet, leatherman, etc all stay on the nightstand where I sleep so they are ready to go already.
5 gallon jugs are hard to carry if you need to bug out. I took an old backpack and filled it full of small bottles of water and keepit handy now so if I do have to bug out I can grab it and go. This is in addition to my normal edc/bob because I realized I didn't have enought water. I plan to rotate these bottles, put the new in the bag and drink what was in the bag.

I plan on definitely stockpiling more water.

Though some people were unable to leave (sick, elderly, no transportation, etc.), a good number of people evacuated New Orleans and the surrounding areas before the storm hit.

The more and more I see about the hurricane and its destruction, the more I think I'd probably hit the road. Not just because of Mother Nature herself, but also the unpredictable chaos afterwards.

Katrina has been a swift kick-in-the-butt reminder to finally get my important paperwork and documents together, and waterproofed.

I agree with you, TRO. I'm moving towards the same modifications, with these additions:
1)I'm looking into an inexpensive storage building (actually, 1/2 unit) on my most-probable evacuation route. There I'll probably keep supplemental (even duplicate) supplies.
2)I bought the Eton-Grundig 300 radio, which can also charge cell phones.
3)I already use an on-line data backup service which automatically uploads designated files to two remote storage servers (East coast and West coast). I've scanned into a folder (and this gets stored here, and remotely) the following:
a)digital photographs, in some detail, of my home and office structure and contents.
b)important documents such as insurance records, car titles, home title, our wills, and advance medical directives.
c)an abreviated medical records file.

I have contact persons in a remote location who can access this online storage if necessary.

We have a phone net for family ( who to call if some or all of us are out of our homes). Our contact is out of state.

I'd also back-up your most important files to CD and store a copy in a safe deposit box, in your pack and mailed to a relative in a distant state.

tro

"3)I already use an on-line data backup service which automatically uploads designated files to two remote storage servers (East coast and West coast)."

I've never thought about this. I've heard of these services and discounted them for fear of my private data being exposed, but your idea of photos of your house and contents is a great idea. And for private but critical data, why not encrypt it before uploading? Don't know why that thought never came to me.

Can you recommend a particular service provider?

Sure. And it's free.

Google's Gmail. Get an account, and mail yourself the encrypted zip file. Done. I think they're offering, like, 2 gigabytes of storage now.

I have invites, if that's still necessary. I thought I read where anyone could sign up though.

I think I read someplace that Google is now the largest owner of computer capacity on the planet, haveing outstripped Microsoft. Amazing. I'm doing the off-line thing. It's too good not to do.

Simplest way to remotely back up moderate amounts of data is sign up for some of the free email accounts that give you 1-2 GB of storage. Just encrypt the files and mail them to yourself.

This has also changed my thinking as well. Primarily, I'm going to pay more attention to a bug-out scenario.

While my primary approach to most disasters would be still be to SIP - even if my home was destroyed, I admit I more or less (mentally) dismissed the possibility that I might have to leave.

While we are in an earthquake zone, I'm not particularly close to the coast, or a flood zone or a potential lahar flow, etc, in the end, I have to remind myself that there is always a possibility of something you weren't expecting (maybe downwind from a chemical spill or something) and there is always the possibility you will be ordered out.

So, I think I'm going to rework things and do more bugout planning. I'll probably set a time limit for getting things loaded up. Probably a couple of cases that can be strapped to the Jeep and go.

I think I'm also going to put a bit more emphasis on self defense. I've always kept this in mind, but it is a reminder how easily things can get out of hand.

Also, I'm probably going to look more at insurance and electronic (portable) copies of importaint records.

-john

See the other thread about computer backups though because you don't want to rely on just this method or trust that it will be reliable.

The best backup method is LOTS and OFTEN. I use these exclusively. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I primarily use DVDs. They're common, cheap, robust, easy to transport, easy to label, and hold a lot of data.

POD ???? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It's a new concept in storage units, Pod being a brand name. The Pods are basically custom designed small steel shipping containers (marine plywood interior), that the company delivers to your house or business, you fill it up, and then they pick it up and store it in their facility. Unlike the usual storage businesses here that let you drive into their storage yard, and access your storage unit by rolling up the overhead door to it, they can store the Pods packed closer together, and on multiple levels, in an indoor facility. The downside is that you must request the Pod to be delivered to your home or business when you want it. I think they also move the Pods across country for you (for a fee, of course). The Pods are designed and made by them, and are 8 x 8 x 12 or 16 feet long. See www.pods.com
..............marantz

thanks !

A remote storage unit is a good idea, as is storing goods at a relatives. ( and maybe you can store their gear at your place.)

tro

Good idea. I'd add some low tech photocopies in plastic as well --id's, bank info, insurance, phone numbers, etc.

Dvd's require a computer to access them, and a computer requires power.

TRO

Can't we simply store relatives in the pod, and use thier place as a bug out point? *tries to look innocent* <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

you mean, "mother in law" kind of relatives ??? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

lol -- thanks

In the aftermat of the Florida hurricanes last year, you might have noticed the fedgov "revising" the recommended 3-day store of food and water to 10-14 days. IMHO, If you live with in 100 miles of the east or gulf coasts or in a major earthquake zone, you should consider 30 day's supply of essentials.

Also as stated elsewhere by TeacherRO, survival is a team sport. In the areas of NO where the surviving community members banded together, they kept the looters at bay and saved numerous neighbors.

Stay Safe

Jim

I think what it boils down to is you have to plan for contingencies. (That was the governments fualt in all of this) Here on the east coast a hurricane is one of the most likely scenerios. So, if a class 3 or better is headed this way, I pack up the camper and head inland. Should a riot or something break out, I lock the doors and get out the shotgun. Should TEOTWAWKI happen, I have plans for that. That said, seeing from NO. If you only plan for 3 days, you might be in trouble. I know I'd be like the guy they showed on TV. Flooded all around him, sitting on a second story balcony saying to the reporter, "I'm fine. I have food, water, and everything I need"

Charles

Aunt/Uncle/Cousins actually... but close enough