Hurricane Isaac reminds Americans to stay prepared with a 'Bug Out Bag' (BOB)

Monday, August 27, 2012 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) Tags: Hurricane Isaac, preparedness, Bug Out Bag

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(NaturalNews) Hurricane Isaac doesn't look to be anywhere near the strength that Katrina demonstrated seven years ago, but it nevertheless has much of the Gulf Coast preparing for emergency. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are all in declared states of emergency right now, and citizens in many cities have been urged to evacuate.

Isaac's track indicates it could make landfall right smack in the middle of New Orleans -- precisely where Katrina hit seven years ago, causing over $100 billion in economic damage to the region. See the estimated storm track at:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/...

Landfall is estimated to take place Tuesday evening, with the really heavy winds tearing through New Orleans Tuesday night.

It is perhaps the recent memory of Katrina that has so many people taking such active precautions now. It might even be overkill, given that Isaac is barely a category 1 hurricane and will only have top winds of around 90 mph according to meteorological estimates. Isaac may turn out to be the "big dud" hurricane of 2012.

Nevertheless, one lesson from Katrina in 2005 is that government is incompetent and can't save you from natural disasters. Perhaps that's why so many citizens are getting prepared on their own, filling up gas tanks and buying up generators, bottled water and other supplies. Profiteering has already kicked in, with some gas stations hiking prices and gouging residents who are fleeing the storm (http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/08/26/despera...).

Hotels in cities along evacuation routes are already filling up, and by all indications outbound automobile traffic will be heavy Monday evening and all day Tuesday.

Small hurricanes offer great preparedness practice

I don't expect Isaac to cause anywhere near the damage of Katrina, but the hurricane is at least an opportunity for people to practice preparedness.

Do you have a "Bug Out Bag" ready? (BOB)

Hurricanes have a way of forcing us all to rethink our BOBs. We should all be ready to hit the road in a moment's notice with a survival selection of:

• Food
• Water and water filters
• Emergency medicine
• Light sources
• Blankets and thermal protection
• Firearms and self defense gear
• Radio and communications gear
• Extra fuel for vehicles
• Maps and navigation aids
• Spare cash
• Important documents such as passports
• Personal hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, etc.
• Spare clothing and quality shoes (NO FLIP FLOPS!)

If you don't yet have your own BOB prepped and ready to go, let Hurricane Isaac be a timely reminder. Because Isaac may turn out to be a relatively mild hurricane, but the real storm heading our way is an economic tsunami called "the great global debt meltdown of 2013" (or whatever year it happens).

That's the storm none of us can escape, so be ready for it.