Are you listening now?
In the past couple of weeks, Watonga has been slapped around by situations outside the control of its residents.
There wasn’t anything we could do about the water main breakage, or the tornado that touched down.
But we could do some things from our end to help make it much less difficult to live through.
There were – and still are – people who don’t have any water put aside in their homes, either for drinking or for sanitation, like flushing the toilet. They are without resources if the tap doesn’t distribute water when they need it.
Likewise, there were people who had to run around like chickens with their heads cut off, scrambling to get what they needed gathered up to refugee to the nearest storm shelter when the sirens went off.
Seriously? We live in tornado alley, for pity’s sake.
How hard is it to refill a couple of gallon jugs with water, just in case? Maybe stash a case of bottled water in the cabinet or garage?
Wouldn’t it be prudent to fill and stow a bag for every member of the household either in the car or nearby, so it is just grab and go in times of emergency? And keep a little fuel in the tank, too.
What is it going to take for people to realize there might not always be water when you turn on the tap, or that the storm shelter isn’t going to have your medications?
It is a matter of personal responsibility to think of these things and have them on hand. No one is better suited to care for you and your family than you.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. It isn’t the zombie apocalypse. An extra set of clothes, stout shoes, a couple of days’ worth of medicine. A well-stocked diaper bag for the littles.
It might not hurt to have copies of your insurance policy – if you have homeowner’s insurance – or at least the phone number of your agent. Grab an extra telephone charger for your cell.
Again, this isn’t rocket science and on the most basic level it is up to you to take care of you.
There are all types of resources out there to help you figure out what to put in your storm shelter or in your ready packed bag in case you have to run for it.
In Oklahoma, it is likely that between tornados, hurricanes, wildfire and flooding, it will be needed eventually.
It’s something you need to do now. All it takes is some time and brain power. Start with what you have on hand and if need be, add to it as time and finances allow.
The action you take now will help ensure your safety and that of your family. It will also free resources for use by others who weren’t ready or who couldn’t outrun the emergency.
Today is the time to ready yourself for whatever life in Oklahoma throws at you.