Prepare For The World Disaster

More than 500 Dead in Storm in Philippines

2011-12-18T10:21:00.000-08:00

We all know that December is a month full of joys and festivities; no wonder that a lot of Filipinos here and around the world look forward for this very special month every year. Nonetheless, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will never be enough to shield December from any unexpected circumstances that might happen. From unforgettable catastrophe to death of notable personalities, there is no doubt that this month has not been deprived of its own share of tragedies and sorrows.

Typhoon Washi struck the region of Mindanao, blanketing the area with heavy rain and high winds. The storm also triggered a series of deadly flash floods and landslides.

Philippine officials say hundreds of people are still missing, even as rescue workers pull more bodies from the mud.

Volunteers use rubber a boat to ferry residents to safer grounds following a flash flood that inundated Cagayan de Oro city, Philippines, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011

Hundreds of houses along Acacia Street in Barangay Carmen were swept away by rampaging waters as the Cagayan de Oro River swelled brought about by tropical storm Sendong on Friday night. At least 58 people were killed and hundreds are missing after the flood subsided.

A soldier helps a woman holding the dead body of her child

A dozen Killer Earthquakes

2011-04-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Thousands of earthquakes happen every day around the world. Most are hardly felt, if at all. But sometimes pieces of Earth's crust suddenly slip past each other in a massive release of pent-up stress. The jolted Earth rumbles, buildings collapse, streets buckle, and thousands of people die. These movements are nature's most violent act and take a grim toll on human life and infrastructure.

Forsaken God For Rock Music

2010-01-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

Modern day rock music and other related types have ushered in a new age for the youth of our nation. What needs to be said about this awful music curse would fill a book. The International Association of Chiefs of Police. He said, "To the unskilled eye, kids seem to be at rock concerts to see the group and hear the music." But the real reason "is to enter another world; another nation; an enclosed nation where the volume of sound surrounds them like a bubble. Within this bubble is a style of life free and apart from the outside world. Kids run this nation. Here they can vent the pulsating psychic, social and sexual power that is percolating in them that they can't release in the controlled outside world."

"Drug paraphernalia is visible among young concert goers. Bottles of whiskey are seen being passed back and forth among youngsters. So much sexual activity is said to take place in the balcony during a few rock concerts that some Omni employees have running jokes about babies born nine months after a concert. 'You have 13 and 14-year-olds stoned and drunk at concerts. People are throwing bottles. They are fighting. Grass smoking is so widespread that if you want to enforce the law you'd have to arrest everybody there,' one police officer said. 'Kids get blasted out of their skulls down there. I've seen children as young as 13 and 14 who are dangerously disoriented from drugs and alcohol,' says Arthur Kaplan, a city judge and medical rescue officer who has won national recognition for his rescue work with Atlanta police. He often works the rock concerts. 'The average age of the drunks here tonight is 13,' said an emergency medical technician at a recent concert."

Drugs and rock music are closely related. And drug usage puts people in the spell of the music. Drugs and rock music mix very well. They support each other."

The average teenager consumes 6 hours a day of rock music! It is their most devoted companion. It's their teacher, preacher, and guiding light! It dictates every detail of their life — from what they wear . . . to what they believe!

Jesus Christ says in Matthew 12:30, "He that is not with me is AGAINST ME . . ."

Strong earthquake hits Haiti

2010-01-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Tens of thousands of people lost their homes as buildings that were flimsy and dangerous even under normal conditions collapsed. Nobody offered an estimate of the dead, but the numbers were clearly enormous.

"The hospitals cannot handle all these victims," said Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles. "Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together."

A view of the Canape-Vert area after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince January 13, 2010. A major earthquake rocked Haiti and its president said he feared thousands were dead after the presidential palace, schools, hospitals and hillside shanties collapsed, leaving the Caribbean nation appealing for international help.

Debris lays in the street after an earthquake along the Delmas road in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake, the largest ever recorded in the area, rocked Haiti on Tuesday.

An injured person is seen after an earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake, the largest ever recorded in the area, rocked Haiti on Tuesday.

A Haitian woman is covered in rubble in Port-au-Prince after a huge earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation. Haiti's envoy to the Organization of American States has told AFP that the earthquake left tens of thousands of casualties.

Samoan tsunami and Indonesia earthquake

2009-09-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

The powerful earthquake and deadly tsunami that struck the Samoan Islands on Tuesday occurred, once again, on a volatile “subduction zone” such as the one that caused the 2004 Indonesian earthquake and another that poses risks to the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Hundreds of houses have been destroyed and telephone lines are not working in Indonesia today after another powerful offshore earthquake.

The latest reports estimate 75 people were killed in the quake, which was given a preliminary magnitude between 7.6 and 7.9.

The earthquake struck at around 5 p.m. local time, about 33 miles from the capital city of west Sumatra.

The city is home to more than 800,000 people.

Help The Philippines

2009-09-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

“STATE OF CALAMITY” People waded through floodwaters following heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Ketsana (locally known as Ondoy) on Sunday in Cainta, east of Manila, Philippines.

This Is The WORST Flood That Ever Hit The Philippines In Years! And We Need Your Help... MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine officials say the number of dead and missing from Tropical Storm Ketsana has climbed to at least 106 people. The storm set off the worst flooding in the Philippine capital and nearby provinces in more than 42 years.

Such a horrible tragedy My thoughts are with all of you guys in the Philippines and everyone affected.

Please HELP the Philippines: https://www.wfp.org/donate/ondoy

Your donation today will help families at a critical moment. A donation of:
- $18 provides a family with rice for 2 weeks
- $90 feeds 5 families for 2 weeks

Woman Who Missed Flight 447 is Killed in Car Crash

2009-06-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

An Italian woman who arrived late for the Air France plane flight that crashed in the Atlantic last week has been killed in a car accident. Read the full story>>>

My sympathy goes out to the husband of this woman that died in the car crash. I also have sympathy for the friends and relatives of the passengers on Flight 447.What awful tragedies!

Two U.S. journalists Held in N. Korea

2009-06-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

Prisoners spend long days toiling in rice paddies and factories. Survivors say beatings are frequent, hunger is constant and clothing scarce in the freezing winter. Read full story>>>

Two killed, Dozens Hurt in NC Slim Jim Plant Blast

2009-06-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

Two workers died when an explosion tore through a Slim Jim meat products plant in North Carolina Tuesday, punching holes in the building's roof and blowing employees off their feet.
Read full story>>>

Air France Crash Zone 17 Bodies Recovered

2009-06-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest pieces yet recovered from wreckage that is helping narrow the search for Flight 447's black boxes. A U.S. Navy team is bringing in high-tech underwater listening devices to detect pings from the data and voice recorders.

Brazilian and French military ships that have so far recovered 16 bodies and large amounts of plane wreckage searched amid a sea of floating debris, finding the tail section with Air France's trademark red and blue stripes.

Rea full story>>>

Air France Plane Missing- No Sign of Life

2009-06-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

"I can confirm that the five kilometers of debris are those of the Air France plane," Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told reporters at a hushed press conference in Rio. He said no bodies had been found and there was no sign of life.

A missing Air France jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris ran into lightning and strong thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.

Full story>>>

Deadly Indian Riots

2009-05-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

They were protesting against the death of Sant Rama Nand, who was killed by fellow Sikhs in a temple in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Sunday as he addressed 200 worshippers.

Demonstrators in Punjab torched four train carriages in the city of Jalandhar, police said, despite a curfew imposed to halt the violence.

Curfews were also in place in the cities of Phagwara and Hoshiarpur, with more than 900 troops deployed to control the situation.

Train services throughout the state were also severely disrupted.

Full story>>>

Italian Ferry, Fire Broke Out

2009-05-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

Fire broke out Friday on an Italian ferry carrying more than 500 people to Sicily and all the passengers were taken by lifeboat to another ferry and a coast guard vessel, officials said.

Five passengers, including a pregnant woman, were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Full story>>>

Cyclone Strands Millions in India and Bangladesh

2009-05-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

The cyclone killed at least 275 people India and Bangladesh remained marooned without food or water on Friday, four days after cyclone Aila hit them, and authorities said disease was becoming a serious problem.

Full story>>>

7.1 earthquake, Kills Two in Honduras

2009-05-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

A powerful earthquake toppled more than two dozen homes in Honduras and Belize early Thursday, killing two children and injuring 40 people as terrified residents spilled from their homes across much of Central America.

The magnitude-7.1 quake struck at 2:24 a.m. (4:24 a.m. EDT; 0824 GMT) off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of the beach town of La Ceiba, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado.

Full story here>>>

UN Security Council Condemns NKorea nuke test

2009-05-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Security Council swiftly condemned North Korea's nuclear test on Monday as "a clear violation" of a 2006 resolution and said it will start work immediately on another one that could result in new sanctions against the reclusive nation. Full Story>>>>

Komodo Dragon Attacks Terrorize Indonesia Villages

2009-05-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

KOMODO ISLAND, Indonesia – Komodo dragons have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. Yet villagers who have lived for generations alongside the world's largest lizard were not afraid — until the dragons started to attack.

Read more>>>

Strong Earthquake Shakes Mexico City

2009-05-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

MEXICO CITY – A strong earthquake swayed skyscrapers in Mexico City and rattled colonial buildings in neighboring Puebla state Friday, sending frightened people into the streets. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.7 and was centered 90 miles (140 kilometers) southeast of the capital. The Mexican seismological service measured it at 5.9.

Read more>>>

Father from GA. gets 100 Years for Poisoning Kids' Soup

2009-05-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

JONESBORO, Ga. – A Georgia man is sentenced to 100 years in prison for poisoning his children to extort money from Campbell's Soup Co.

William Cunningham was sentenced Thursday after a jury found him guilty on seven counts of aggravated assault for forcing the children in 2006 to eat soup laced with prescription drugs and lighter fluid.

Read more>>>

'American Idol' Shocker: Kris Allen Wins!

2009-05-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

According to Mark Joseph the showdown between the two finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. Allen, it turns out is a “worship leader” at his church, which in non-Evangeli-speak roughly translates to “guy who leads the singing,” while Adam Lambert is the contestant who has seen photographs of himself allegedly kissing other guys splashed across the Internet.

Although Lambert didn’t exactly confirm his sexual orientation other than to say that he knows who he is, it was widely seen as the showdown between the gay guy and the Christian guy, with a judgment to be rendered by middle America.

Read more>>>

The Structures of Family Breaks down

2009-05-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

We have maligned our own kids in the pursuit of personal success and material wealth.
It reminds me of a bygone song called "there is not enough love to go round" of course we all know that is not the case, we sacrificed some of that love for something we think is more tangible.

We push our kids to achieve and chase material or personal success, but we forgot one important factor, our kids are a mirror of the emotional state of the nation. To ignore fundamental needs are making a rod for our own backs, they will not conform to what we expect and will fall by the wayside, we will all suffer the consequences.

Mothers that work and with usually both parents working is cited as another factor in children's insecurity and lack of well being.

And I am afraid that the new trend of single mums and family breakdown come high on the list for attack.

I quote " children with separate, single or step parents are 50% more likely to fail at school, have low esteem, be unpopular with other children and have behavioural difficulties, anxiety or depression" it argues.

The internet has been a revolution in communications and proved to be a wealth of information, a truly staggering concept. But it has become the most extreme medium and needs regulating urgently,

not all children can be monitored, they can access truly unimaginable porn or unsuitable sites at the click of a mouse. I am afraid damage is being done to not only children but many gullible or impressionable people. But we must protect our young.

Indonesian plane crashes, at least 69 dead

2009-05-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

JAKARTA, Indonesia – An Indonesian military plane carrying more than 100 people crashed into several homes and burst into flames Wednesday, killing at least 69 people, officials said.

Dozens of people were injured and more were feared dead, with local television flashing footage of fire engulfing the mangled wreckage and soldiers carrying bodies on stretchers. Some were badly burned.Read more>>>>

Philippines Landslide Kills 26

2009-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines, May 19 (UPI) -- At least 26 people were reported killed and another eight missing in a landslide that struck a village in southern Philippines, authorities said.

The disaster occurred Monday in Pantukan in the province of Compostela Valley, CNN reported, quoting Jojo Frasco, a member of the Philippines disaster coordinating council.read more>>>>

23-ft. Crocodile Kills 10-year-old In The Philippines

2009-05-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to read this. I did not realize that such large crocks could be found in the Philippines. At home I have often seen a big gator, 10 or 12 feet and think little of it. I do not know what I would do in the presence of a 23 foot crock.

MANILA, Philippines - A 10-year-old girl was decapitated by a crocodile in a Philippine lake after the creature knocked over her canoe, police said Wednesday. Read more>>>

Driving Lesson Nearly Causes Air Disaster In The Philippines

2009-04-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Philippine man nearly caused a disaster in an eastern city when he used an airport runway to teach his girlfriend to drive just as a passenger plane was about to land, an official said Tuesday.

A Cebu Pacific Air flight carrying 80 passengers was descending at the weekend at the airport in Legazpi City, 360 km south-east of Manila, when the pilot quickly pulled up after he saw a passenger van moving fast on the runway. read more>>>>>>

INTERPOL Warns of Criminals Exploiting Swine Flu

2009-04-30T15:42:00.001-07:00

LYON, France – INTERPOL today warned of criminals potentially exploiting the swine flu outbreak through spam emails and websites selling illegal, unlicensed or fake medicines.

Unlicensed and illegal internet pharmacies take orders and payments with no assurance of the goods being delivered and those customers receiving goods have no guarantee of the safety, quality or effectiveness of the drugs, thereby seriously putting their health at risk.

read more>>>

Earth Day April 22, 2009

2009-04-20T20:23:00.001-07:00

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

Now - more than ever – is the time to galvanize and empower individuals to effect meaningful personal changes toward a sustainable future. Earth Day Network is poised to help bring to fruition the domestic and international public’s desire to participate, as individuals, in what might become historic advances in climate policy.

The 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 will be recognized by future generations as a world turning point, and a shift toward global sustainability symbolized by the birth of The Green Generation™.

So why wait? Start planning your Earth Day 2010 event or action now, and join The Green Generation™!

Sign the Green Generation Manifesto. Join The Green Generation!

You can mail it back to us at 1616 P Street, NW, Suite 340, Washington, DC 20036

Arkansas Tornado Kills Three

2009-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Three people died, at least 24 were injured and 100 homes were damaged last week when a tornado ripped through Mena, Arkansas.

The severe weather persisted last week. As a storm system moved across the Southeast. A reported tornado in central Tennessee killed two people and injured 41, officials with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency told the Associated Press.
read more>>>>>

Italy Quake

2009-04-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck L’Aquila, Italy before dawn Monday, killing more than 150 people, injuring 1,500 and leaving tens of thousands homeless. (April 6)

What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the people of Italy and hope that they will be able to rebuild and then restore some of the relics that were also damaged. A loss of both human life and ancient culture. Truly a sad day.

I would like to express deep condolence to the Italian earthquake victim's family members and All countries should take steps to help Italian quake victims".

If we could just join, in common cause, for all of 30 seconds to pray for the good people of Italy and for the area afflicted in general....Lives have been irrevocably shattered by this natural disaster...I'm sure that most of the people impacted are good, decent human beings. As Italy is a good, decent country...Sometimes we need to hand our political hats at the door and be decent human beings for a change. Those of us who pray--now is the time to do so.....

Flooding In North Dakota

2009-03-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Red River in the midwestern state of North Dakota has risen to levels never seen in recorded history and is threatening to flood the city of Fargo.

The swollen river broke a 112-year-old record Friday, when it rose above the previous high of just over 12 meters.

The river is expected to crest at nearly 13 meters on Saturday, very close to the top of the city's main dike.

The powerful floodwaters caused a significant leak in a dike early Friday, prompting authorities to evacuate 150 homes in downtown Fargo.

Since then, the city of 92,000 people has called for further evacuations.

Residents, National Guard troops and emergency workers are working non-stop in subfreezing weather to construct makeshift dikes with sandbags in an effort to hold the rising waters.

Fargo's mayor Dennis Walaker says residents do not want to give up without a fight.

The flat terrain of the Red River Valley means floodwaters could cover a wide area.

U.S. forecasters say it is unclear where the floodwaters would go since the Red River has never been known to rise to this level.

The National Weather Service says it expects the floodwaters to stay above record levels for another week.

Please click the picture above to see more pictures.

Severe Storms pelt Georgia, Alabama

2009-02-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

One person is dead and at least seven injured after overnight thunderstorms swept Georgia and Alabama with tornadoes, hail and lightening.

A spokesman for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency says the fatality was reported in Hancock County in east-central Georgia. There were no more details.
Fierce thunderstorms that rolled over Alabama and Georgia starting late Wednesday uprooted trees and downed power lines in dozens of counties.

Authorities reported at least three confirmed tornadoes in Georgia. An apparent tornado uprooted trees in Geneva in southern Alabama on Wednesday evening.
Damage assessment teams were expected to survey the storm damaged areas after daybreak.

The storm system gave way to calmer weather and cooler temperatures today.

How Long Can You Survive Without eating Rice?

2009-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

I think, It all depends upon our habit. When I was in the Philippines my parents gave us rice all the time from breakfast to dinner and we're rice eater, but that's beside the point, I just love eating rice:) So, I don't think I can survive without rice that time.

But when i came here in the US, everything change I don't eat rice very often as it is, so I could easily survive with no rice at all. My daughter are not fond of rice no matter how I fix it so we usually opt for pasta instead. Once in a while I like some wild rice mixed with vegetables, but I try to stay away from most carbs. I be more dependent on fruit and vegetables.

How Long Can You Live Without Food?

2009-02-17T08:05:00.001-08:00

There is another important factor in determining how long someone might live when there is little or no nourishing food to be had. The will to survive. With or without food those whose will to survive is strongest will always live longer than those who do not have this all important attribute. Ones willpower can add several days, or even a week to the total length of time you can survive without food. People who are starved and no longer have the will to live will perish much more quickly. Click the picture posted to read more info.

How Long Can You Survive Without Water?

2009-02-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

Knowing that water is by far the most important nutrient for the human body (besides oxygen) and, in particular, during a survival situation when finding potable water may not be easy, the question becomes - just how long can the human body survive without adequate water? Click the posted picture for more info.

Tornadoes hit Oklahoma

2009-02-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

Several powerful storms hit central Oklahoma on Tuesday uprooting trees, demolishing homes and killing eight people. As much as 26,000 homes and businesses lost power. This incident shows that tornadoes can strike at anywhere and at anytime. There is no set tornado season. The creepy part is that tornadoes can strike without any sort of warning. Despite the advances in meteorology, they are still very unpredictable and can strike with so little warning. It seems to me that every part of our nation, has some type of weather that is hazardous to a persons health. the west coast has its earthquakes and fires, the Midwest tornado's and ice storms, the southeast hurricanes, the northeast has all of the above, but has more blizzards than anyone. Fearing to live in a certain area, because something CAN happen.

I think these people are more worried about their loved ones still being alive. That's what matters most. That is what is REALLY SAD!!

It is too bad that everyone in Oklahoma doesn't have access to a storm shelter. California builds strong buildings for earthquake safety, so why doesn't Oklahoma make sure that it's residents have a place to go to during storms like these? I would never live in a mobile home in that area unless I had a storm shelter to go to. I pray for those who lost loved ones and friends and for those who lost their homes and businesses.

Kentucky Ice Storm

2009-02-08T20:42:00.001-08:00

Sorry to hear about everyone's bad luck. We live in Northside of Chicago.We had snow two weeks ago but nothing as bad as Kentucky ice storms. I know a little on how you feel. It sounds almost like a Katrina disaster in KY.

There are still 600,000 people in Kentucky without power and that number is only expected to grow. At least three people have died as a result of our fancy ice disaster. 68 counties have declared emergencies. 36 cities have declared emergencies on their own. 91 shelters have been opened across the state. 500 National Guardsmen have been activated. A request for joint public disaster assistance has been made which would allow state & fed to work together in gathering damage assessments.

God bless every single person involved in getting in this towns back in working condition and helping to take care of those that are not able to survive by themselves during this terrible time. Our prayers are with you.

How to Pray When Depressed

2009-02-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

According to Kathryn J. Hermes, F.S.P. When you're depressed, you may discover that the shadows and tempests of that depression alter the way you look at God and the way you believe God looks at you. She added that people who have gone three, five, ten years without "praying," though they were faithful to setting time aside for prayer regardless of its seeming uselessness. In the haunting darkness where all communication had gone silent, they found loneliness, boredom, frustration, anger. Were they praying? Yes.

If this is happening to you, try these forms of prayer and contemplative love.

Here's are some tips:
1.) Find a Quiet Place- Take a few deep breaths, holding each one for a few seconds and then slowly exhaling. Relax. Feel the chair you're sitting on, your feet on the floor. Smell the scents in the room. Imagine Jesus coming toward you with a smile on his face. Tell him how you are feeling right now-anxious, uncomfortable, fidgety, distracted, wanting to focus. Tell him what things are like for you today. Open your heart to him. Feel his presence very close to you. Let his love into your heart. Thank him for this gift.

2.) Go for a walk- As you go, notice the sky, feel the season. Recognize what is around you. Feel at home right now. Offer your heart to Jesus, even if your pain is deep. Though you may be alone on your walk, Jesus is in your heart. Tell him what you see...the beauty around you. Tell him how you feel...even if it is dark. Remember he wants you to tell him everything in your life...joys and pains.

3.)Remember Others Who Are Hurting - Call to mind someone else you know who is hurting or sick. Focus for a few minutes on what that person may be feeling, and on what you would like to say to him or her. Lift this person up by name to Jesus and ask his blessing on them.

4.)Hold On to God's Word- If you're feeling low, go to a quiet place and hold your Bible. Read Psalm 130 or focus on a phrase of it. Embrace how you feel, even if it's uncomfortable. Know that God is loving you through these moments of darkness.

5.)Open Yourself to God - When you are unable to focus because your mind is racing, try to remember and pray the words, "My God, I love you." Open yourself to God's love.

6.)Stop by Your Church- When you pass by your local church, stop in for a few minutes. Pause and connect with the One who loves you.

7.)Repeat the Name of Jesus Christ- If you can't get up, lie still and repeat the name of Jesus over, and over, and over. His love catches these words and he embraces you with love.

How to Prepare for a Catastrophic Event On 12/21/12

2009-02-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

In case of a catastrophic event on December 21, 2012 I would like to supply a preparation guide to help get through in case of an emergency.

There has obviously been a stronger buzz going around about this date that has not only been predicted, but also showing signs of scientific possibilities in recent years. The date is only 3 years away and it's never a good idea to wait until it's too late to start thinking of a game plan.

Step 1 Constantly pay attention to any natural disasters / changes to the world as we know it and take note of how much more effective these natural changes are becoming.

Step 2 Saving some extra cash is never a bad thing. Could it be a bit tough with today's economy? Absolutely. But if you create a mindset to save "X" amount on a weekly basis, you can easily accomplish that.

Step 3 Have a 1 - 2 month supply of water / non perishable food. This is especially essential in storm prone area's.

Step 4 First Aid Kit / Medicines. This is something that everybody should have at all times.

Step 5 Store a sleeping bag / blanket in the back of your vehicle. Even if you never have to use it, it is always better to have it and not use it than not have it and obviously not be able to use it.

Step 6 Being prepared is not a difficult task at hand. Once you do it, you are set. Spread the word to friends and family and help them in becoming a prepared member in society.

What is The Catastrophic Event On 12/21/12?

2009-02-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

John Major Jenkins claim that an alignment will occur when the sun rises above the horizon on December 21 2012, at which point the sun will rise in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy, thus causing an alignment between the earth, sun, and the galactic center. It is claimed that this event will cause numerous changes on Earth. However, the event is only a visual phenomenon from the earth's perspective, which is caused by the precession of the equinoxes or the 26,000 year wobble of the earth, and thus only changes our perspective, not the actual position of the earth in relation to the galaxy. In short, there is no gravitational force or radiation to be expected from this event because other than the tilt of the earth, nothing will be any different from what occurs in any other solstice.

There are also claims such as those of Michael Tsarion that an actual physical alignment of our entire solar system will occur with the horizontal plane of the Milky Way Galaxy on that day. The solar system is moving around the center of the galaxy every 225 million years or so, and while doing so is moving up and down in a cycle crossing the plane every 33 million years. According to the Journal Nature, however, there is evidence of the solar system crossing the galactic plane 3 million years ago. This would mean that we are moving away from the galactic plane, not toward it, and we will not be due to cross it for another 30 million years.

Among other possible scenarios is that a shift of the Earth's magnetic poles may occur, and that this will leave the earth vulnerable to harmful radiation from the sun. According to NASA magnetic pole reversal does not occur on a particular day or year, but over the course of thousands of years. Furthermore, the magnetic field does not vanish during this natural cycle, but becomes more complex as it makes the transition.

No matter what you believe is going to happen, it's scientific fact that there's going to be, a galactic alignment that only happens once every 26,000 years. The earth and all the planets in our solar system are going to be aligned with the center of the galaxy, which, if nothing else, is very cool.

Personally, I believe that we are at this very moment ushering in great changes that will lead to us as humans having a better understanding of our true reality. We are all one, and we will no longer tolerate the intolerable - not when our future is at stake.

Natural Disaster and 2012

2009-01-23T21:11:00.000-08:00

Click every heading to read more........
5 Natural Disasters Headed for the United States

Earth is one rough place. Even the most devastating storms of recent years pale in sheer destructive power against outsize natural disasters of the past, such as continent-smothering ice sheets, ocean-raising floods, super volcanoes and the occasional asteroid.

Recent Sumatra earthquakes precursor to probable mega Volcano in 2012 that can end human civilization

Simultaneous Terrestrial and Solar polar reversal in 2012 accompanied by recent tectonic movement as well as harmonic tremor in the area shows high probability of a mega volcano in 2012 in that area.

Earth Changes, 2012 and Eschatology pt. 1
Considering all the earthquakes, volcanic activity, and extreme weather we have been experiencing, it's hard not to have apocalyptic thoughts and speculate that we may be approaching the end of time.

2012 completes 74,000 year cycle of super volcano
2012 completes a 74,000 year cycle of super volcano – all signs point towards a massive under...

206 Earthquake Prediction Trends
By Lance Winslow Earthquakes in 2005 set the pace early on, even days before 2005 got...

Inside 2004-2012 Solar Window
By Will Hart In an article published in AR, early in 2004, I presented the case that we are...

Everett, Massachusetts- Disaster

2009-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Freezing cold and homes burned to the ground. This is just terrible. The accident in Everett, MA last month morning grabbed national attention when a tanker truck carrying 9400 gallons of gasoline flipped and exploded. The burning fuel poured down residential streets, damaging multiple buildings and over 20 cars. The driver was cited for speeding and not having a federal medical certificate with him, which would certify him as fit to drive. Amazingly, no one was hurt in the accident.

Can you imagine waking up to find your house on fire, and the house next door, and you're in a triple deck, and it's QUICK--GET OUT!

MYANMAR: Anyo, "I don't know whether I will live or die”

2008-12-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

YANGON, 11 December 2008 (IRIN) - After learning she was HIV-positive, 20-year-old Anyo (not her real name) returned to her village in the Ayeyarwady Delta, only to see it devastated by Cyclone Nargis - a disaster that left close to 140,000 people dead or missing.

In an effort to help her family, Anyo, one of an estimated 76,000 people living with HIV today in Myanmar, returned to Yangon and now works as a commercial sex worker.

"This year I faced two disasters. First, I learned I had HIV. Then I lost my father and home to the cyclone.

"I don't really know when I became infected, but guess I got it from my former boyfriend. We had lived together for about a year in Yangon when I was a student and he was a seaman.

“After our relationship ended in early 2007, I met a new boy, an engineer, and we decided to marry.

“But after visiting a health clinic to receive our blood test results, I learned I was HIV-positive and my boyfriend left me.

“My life has been on a downward spiral ever since. Even my closest friends wouldn’t speak to me.

“I decided to return to my village in Pyapon Township to be with my family, but never told them about my condition. Where I live, people have little awareness of HIV. They would never accept me and I was afraid of the stigma I would face.

“In Myanmar, learning you are HIV-positive is like receiving a death sentence, but at least with my parents and younger brothers I found solace.

“That all changed when Nargis struck, however. My father died trying to save us. I so wish I had died instead. My mother has yet to recover from this loss, and like my brothers, is heavily traumatised.

“I returned to Yangon to find a job – any job. I hoped I could help my brothers return to school. I so wished that they would finish their education.

”But finding a job proved impossible and I found myself working in a massage parlour. The pay wasn’t very good so after two months, I quit and joined a brothel downtown.

"Of course I don’t want to do this job. Who would? Burmese people are honourable people, but this is the only way I can earn some decent money.

“Now I receive about 300,000 kyat [US$240] per month. When I worked as a sales-girl, I could barely earn 50,000 kyat [$40] per month. What a difference!

"At this point, I just need to help my family. I don’t care about myself. As a person with HIV I won’t live long. Before I die, I want to send my family enough money so that they can start some kind of business to support themselves, perhaps a small grocery store.

"Already with the money I’m receiving, my mother doesn’t need to worry about the household expenditures and my brothers can return to school.

"Yet these days, I’m feeling weak and often get sick. My pimp seems dissatisfied with my service. A couple of weeks ago I went to Waibargi Hospital, which treats HIV/AIDS patients. A doctor measured my CD4 count, which was much lower than before.

"The doctor told me I should be taking ART [anti-retroviral therapy], but there were hundreds of people lining up for it.

"I was shocked to hear that many HIV patients actually die because they can’t receive ART in time.

"At this point, I don't know whether I will live or die.”

THE WORLD IS FALLING APART

2008-12-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, NATION AGAINST NATION, PESTILENCES, SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS - IS THE WORLD APPROACHING THE END OF TIME.

THE WORLD IS AFRAID - THE WORLD IS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS - THE WORLD IS FALLING APART - Are we living in the last days - are these signs of the end of time and the Great tribulation? Are we living in the last days, the end times before the Great Tribulation... are we seeing signs, signals and warnings of what will be during the GREAT TRIBULATION which is spoken of many times in the Holy scriptures.

Jesus warned: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and PESTILENCES, and earthquakes, in divers places." (Matthew 24:7).

The world has become a very frightening place to be. People are afraid, people are nervous and anxious and full of fear. We are living in a world that is suddenly not a safe place to be. We are living in a world full of terrorism, wars, new frightening diseases and viruses and startling weather disasters that are wiping out thousands of people in seconds.

THE WORLD IS FALLING APART - How long will it last - Is the world, the earth in the final end times before Jesus Christ the Lord returns.

Our world is falling apart. Our air is polluted, our water is polluted, we are experiencing earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis is places that are totally unexpected and at the greatest magnitudes ever recorded. Global warming is threatening our very existence and the new diseases & viruses we are seeing in animals and food products are alarming.

WHAT WILL BE NEXT IS THE QUESTION ON THE MINDS OF PEOPLE?
The whole creation, including the earth and all living creatures therein, the cosmos and all universes that our Lord has created, are groaning and travailing in pain and travail "together until now." The earth is "running down" as Science teaches it will. Man has polluted the air, polluted the water and the earth. The earth is polluting and destroying itself through earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

NATURE, through solar storms, falling meteors, black holes, white holes and worm holes is doing damage to the universe. Tornadoes, cyclones, tsunamis and severe electrical storms cause great bodily harm and death to people and animals, as well as destroying millions of acres of timber annually through forest fire. The animals and wild life are themselves polluters, spreading disease amongst themselves, as well as being purveyors of many deadly diseases to the human population. Do you think this is the End of our world?

Blue Planet Earth

2008-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Philippine Ferry Disaster ----Safety Regulations????

2008-11-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

"There Are No Signs Of Life"

Ferry accidents frequently happen in the Philippine archipelago because of badly maintained passenger boats and the weak enforcement of safety regulations. Several overloaded passenger ships have sunk here over recent years, killing thousands of people, mainly because of lax safety regulations. "The ship captain is given the responsibility to (decide) whether to leave port or not,".

The sinking of the ferry Princess of the Stars is a marine accident of tragic human proportions but it is also an appalling safety statistic that adds to a sorry record to which the Philippines should feel acutely ashamed.

Furthermore, the stricken vessel was operated by Cebu-based Sulpicio Lines, a company with unenviable experiences of previous accidents that claimed mass loss of life, including the world's worst!

This horrifying record demonstrates that the time is certainly long overdue for the Philippines maritime authorities to get a grip on safety and to properly regulate its ship operators.

Sulpicio has already gone on record as blaming the weather for this latest disaster to one of its ships and it has accused the Philippines weather bureau, PAG-ASA to be negligent in being late in reporting a course change by Typhoon Fengshen.

Such a difference is astonishing - typhoons are notoriously unpredictable and in the face of even a general threat that severe weather is in the region, a responsible ferry operator should seriously consider not putting to sea with passengers. Furthermore, if that operator has had previous experiences of mass loss of life then a prudent approach should be engrained within its safety management ethos and also in the light of studies made regarding the dangers to ro-ro vessels in bad weather - particularly following the sinking of the Estonia in 1994.
Will the Princess of the Stars turn.

Here are the a list of some of the deadliest shipping disasters in the archipelago over the past two decades. Worst disasters

Dec 1987 : A total of 4, 386 die in world's worst peacetime shipping disaster, as ferry Dona Paz, owned by Sulpicio Lines, and an oil tanker collide off Mindoro Island.

Oct 1988 : the ferry Dona Marilyn (sister of the Dona Paz) sank during a typhoon, with a death toll of 300; This vessel was also operated by Sulpicio.

July 1993 - 279 pilgrims drown when an overloaded wooden temple, mounted on three boats, collapses during a religious festival as it is being towed along the Bocaue river, 20 km (12 miles) north of Manila.

Dec 1994 : the ferry Cebu City, operated sank in Manila Bay after colliding with a cargo ship claiming 140 lives.

1995: the ferry Kimelody Cristy sank off Fortune Island, southwest of Manila, following a fire. 43 persons were lost.

1997: the pleasure craft King Rogers, sank in bad weather with the loss of 7 persons.

Sept 1998 : Almost 200 die when ferry MV Princess of the Orient, sister ship of Dona Paz and Dona Marilyn, sinks in stormy seas near Cavite and Batangas south of Manila. This ferry was also operated by Sulpicio.- .

1999: the ferry Asia South Korea sank in central Philippines' waters killing at least 44 people.

2000: the ferry Our Lady of Mediatrix caught fire following the detonation of two bombs onboard. The Philippines' government blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

April 2000 : At least 138 drown after the ML Annahada sinks off Jolo island in the southern Philippines.

2002: the ro-ro ferry Maria Carmela caught fire and was gutted with the loss of 25 one hour from its destination of Lucena in Quezon province.

2003: the wooden-hulled merchant launch San Nicolas, that was carrying 203 passengers, collided with a ferry off the coast of Corregidor Island during torrential rain and near zero visibility. 39 people from the wooden vessel perished.

February 2004 : the WGA Superferry 14 was gutted by fire after a bomb alleged to Abu Sayyaf claims responsibility, saying a suicide bomber sabotaged the boat to protest ill treatment of Muslim communities extremists exploded killing 116 people catches fire near Manila Bay.
2007: Catalyn-D (another wooden-hulled ferry owned and operated by San Nicolas Shipping) caught fire and sank off Paluan Bay in Mindoro Occidental province. Out of the 260 passengers, 5 people perished.

June 2008: MV Princess of Stars sinks 3 km (2 miles) from Sibuyan island in central Philippines in typhoon-lashed seas, leaving around 800 people missing. Owned by sulpicio.

04 Nov 2008- A ferry leaving Masbate island in the Philippines - 20 minutes into its voyage when a freak wind caused it to capsize, killing 39 people.

The thought of all those innocent people who lost their lives and will not be coming home to their families was very sad. Last of all, I just want to extend my condolences to all the families who lost family members on that unfateful tragedy.

Does Your Family Have a Plan?

2008-11-21T06:47:00.000-08:00

by Joyce Moseley Pierce

Major ice storms, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes are natural disasters that we have become all too familiar with. After watching the devastation in New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina, we know that we must be responsible for our own families.

What if your city were hit with a disaster that required you to evacuate your home? Would you be prepared to leave? Would you have the necessary documentation to prove your identity? Would you have what you need to contact your insurance company? What would you do to preserve valuable documents? Church membership records. Family photos.

Taking time now to do some advance preparation can make all the difference. If Ye Are Prepared will give you the information you need to preserve and store documents so that they will be available to you during and after your evacuation.

You can send email to: joyce@emersonpublications.com or check the website to see some information: click here>>>

Hurricane 2008

2008-09-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

An aerial view of flooding in Batabano, Cuba, on 11 September 2008, after Hurricaine Ike passed over the Caribbean island. According to preliminary numbers Ike left at least five deads, 20 injured and close to 200,000 homes damaged or destroyed, also several hundreds of crops.

Manila Philippines

2008-08-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Filipinos retrieve whatever
belongings they can find after
a fire razed a slum area and injured
at least four in Manila.

Chaiten, Chile.

2008-08-11T22:07:00.001-07:00

A cloud of smoke and ashes produced by an eruption of the Chaiten volcano rain over Chaiten, Chile. The eruption spewed ash 20 miles into the Andean sky, forcing authorities to evacuate the area.

What would happen if there were no more trees?

2008-06-20T23:34:00.001-07:00

Answer

It would be like the history of Easter Island...they used all the trees (the last tree was cut in 1680 a.c.e.) and had massive social consequences. No trees, no boats, no food. They resorted themselves to cannibalism. If a virus would kill all the trees on the planet...we...the human race would die. Slowly. Erosion, undrinkable water, and life on Earth would end. I believe there would be breathable oxygen but our global society would shut down.

Answer

No more photosynthesis, no more oxygen, we all die.

Answer

If there were no more trees we woun't live. Humans woudn't even be in this world.

Answer

If there was no more trees we woudn't live on this planet. Humans can not really even breathe!

Answer

Trees provide us with fruits, nuts, wood and paper. Trees are also home to many animals, and all plants produce oxygen. If we didn't have trees we would be mising a lot of things we take for granted, however, I seriously doubt that we wouldn't be able to live. It wouldn't be pleasant but it would be possible. We would also miss out on the beauty of a magnolia in full bloom and the awesomeness of a redwood.

DOCUMENT DEFENSE

2008-06-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

Since disaster often destroyed homes and their contents, store copies of important documents and vital information with trusted friend. Examples…

1.)A copy of your insurance policy and phone number of your agent.

2.)Your attorney name and number.

3.)A list of health problems, medication and your doctor’s number.

4.)The location of you safe-deposit box and extra key.

5.)Banking information, such as Certificates of Deposit and checking account numbers.

As a rule, choose an out-of-town friend to hold these items since a neighbor’s house may be just as vulnerable as yours.

SEVERAL WAYS TO STAY PREPARED FOR EMERGENCY DISASTER SITUATIONS

2008-06-05T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you think you’ll never hit by natural disaster, you’ll not alone . That’s what people in New Orleans thought before Hurricane Katrina.

These are some very practical things that you can do on a daily or weekly basis in order to STAY PREPARED for times of emergency.

#1. Always Keep Your Gas Tank Above the Half Full Mark.
I confess I am notorious for letting my gas tank get all the way to empty and even below the empty mark. I often let the warning light come on and then continue to drive for another 20-45 miles. I realize now that this is a very bad habit and not good for my engine. In addition, when an emergency arises, I will not be prepared for it.

Why is it important to keep your gas tank on the full side? The reason is that when a disaster strikes, the gas in your tank could become extremely valuable to you. You may need it to drive your family out of a dangerous area that is threatened by hurricanes or tornados, or you may need it to run your car for a week or two if the local or state government shut down gas stations or enforce a quarantine in your area.

#2. Always keep your heating oil tank and/or your propane gas tank at least half full.
If you do this, you will be much more able to endure a long power outage when freezing weather could be a threat to your life. During winter blizzards, ice storms, hurricanes, etc., the power can be out for days or even weeks. It's always wise to have extra heating fuel or gas on hand to live through those long cold days and nights when no service truck is even able to reach your house.

#3. Always keep the propane tank to your gas barbecue at least half full. Especially when lived in California under the constant danger of earthquakes. Having an outdoor gas barbecue is a good back up way to cook your food if the electricity goes out for an extended time or if the gas is shut off because of the danger of fire after an earthquake.

#4. Always store plenty of fresh drinking water for yourself and your family. Water is probably the most important and most valuable asset you will have during and after a disaster. Safe healthy drinking water is the most important as you and your family will need to drink it. You'll also need plenty of water for cooking, cleaning, and washing purposes. See one of my earlier postings on the best kinds of containers to store your water in safely.

Are You Prepared for Disaster?

2008-05-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

This is Indonesia..

An emergency plan is something every family should have, say experts.

After the horrific earthquake in China and deadly cyclone in Myanmar, we couldn't help but wonder if our own families would be safe from natural disasters. If and when catastrophe hits, would you know what to do to protect your family? "We have no plan. Grab babies if there's time and run! That's the plan," There must be a better way.

There is. Making your home disaster-ready is far easier than it sounds. With a little planning and packing, you can prepare your family for the unexpected. "It doesn't take as much time as you think," When I made my kit, I didn't run out and buy everything at once. Every pay period I would go out and buy a few things on the checklist."

Know where to go.
If you need to get out of the house fast, you'll need a place to meet outside. Sit down with your kids and pick a spot nearby that's easy to get to and simple to remember. Also, choose a place to meet if you're away from home when disaster strikes. Your kids' school, for example. "As a family, we chose three separate locations where we'd meet if we couldn't get to our house," We also have important phone numbers of family and friends printed on cards and put in each of our cars.

Know who to call.
Choose a contact person, preferably an out-of-state family member, to call. Often, it is easier to make long distance calls than local ones in an emergency. Make sure everyone in your family has the phone number. Make a list of other important numbers for everyone: the pediatrician, Poison Control, work and school numbers.

Get ready to eat.
Next time you go grocery shopping, have the kids pick out dry and canned foods they'd want to munch on in an emergency. You'll need enough food for three days. Granola bars and soup store well. Also, have a gallon of water per person.

Get packing.
Make a "getaway bag" for everyone in the family. Have the kids pack their own bag, picking out the clothes and toys they want to take with them. Make sure copies of prescriptions for medicine and glasses are in the bag. Have a first-aid kit, flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries and sleeping bags ready, too.

Get organized.
Keep cash on hand in case you can't get to an ATM. Make photocopies of important documents like birth certificates, drivers licenses, passports and marriage certificates. Also, have a recent photo of everyone in the family handy.

Involve everyone.
Make sure your kids' school and daycare have emergency plans and you understand them. Talk to your kids about being prepared. Make it fun. "Knowledge is power. Enabling children to know what is going on and know what to do makes them more comfortable," .

It doesn't take much to be prepared, but it can make a world of difference in an emergency. "If a disaster were to happen, it could take emergency responders 72 hours to reach you. "So it's really important for all families to have an emergency plan."
To prepare your family for a disaster, go to....

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security: Create an Emergency Supply Kit
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security: Make a Family Plan
Red Cross: Preparedness at Home

Natural Disaster

2008-05-29T08:55:00.001-07:00

Natural Disaster
by Kevin Blacker

Darkened clouds,
wind and rain.
Left alone with all this pain.
It’s winter here without you.

Landslides always drag me down
Trapped for days, will I be found ?
I pray for skies of blue.

Flooded plains within my head
Tornadoes draw near, leave me for dead.
I feel alone without you.

Drought from tears I know not for
I’ve cried for days, I cry no more.
I’ve made mistakes, it’s true

Hurricane waves pound on my shore
I’m drowning on my bedroom floor.
Will we never be together?

This natural bridge from heart to heart
Collapsed in shreds, fallen apart
These seasons last forever.

Calamity

2008-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Calamity is man's true touchstone..

DISASTER QUOTES:

“We live in the midst of alarms; anxiety beclouds the future; we expect some new disaster with each newspaper we read.”
Abraham Lincoln

There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster. Richard Bach

When a man arrives at great prosperity God did it: when he falls into disaster he did it himself” Mark Twain

“Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster”
William Tecumseh Sherman

“Dread of disaster makes everybody act in the very way that increases the disaster. Psychologically the situation is analogous to that of people trampled to death when there is a panic in a theatre caused by a cry of `Fire!'” Bertrand Russell

“Living things have been doing just that for a long, long time. Through every kind of disaster and setback and catastrophe. We are survivors.” Robert Fulghum

The formula for achieving a successful relationship is simple: you should treat all disasters as if they were trivialities but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster” Quentin Crisp

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.” Sun Tzu

SAFETY AND FIRST AID

2008-05-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Injuries

First, check to be sure that no one is injured. If there are any injuries, you will have to use your own first-aid kit. Phone lines may be down so you may not be able to call for help, and rescuers will be helping those most seriously injured first. Even if the phone lines are down, your cellular phone will probably work. If a disaster strikes while you are at work and your family is at home, you might need a cellular phone on both ends to check on each other.

Think through possible injuries so you can be prepared in advance. Butterfly bandages can be used as "stitches" in smaller wounds. Menstrual pads can be used to cover and protect large wounds. You may actually need to stitch a large wound yourself if medical help simply can't reach you and you are unable to get to help.

At Safe Natural Cures, you can read about Lavender Essential Oil as an essential burn remedy for your first-aid kit (under Sunburn and Burns). Raw honey has been used for centuries as an antibiotic and healing agent when applied to wounds.

WARNING SIGNS

2008-05-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

You may not receive any advance notice of an attack in your neighborhood. So, watch for nature's signals. Birds will die first, then cats, etc. If you see even one dead bird, stay indoors and contact the authorities. You might even want to build a small aviary outdoors and add some birds. If you already have pet birds inside, you might want to put them out on the porch in the daytime (if it is warm enough and out of direct sun - it doesn't count as a signal of an attack if you kill the bird yourself!) Or, you may want to keep the birdcage as close to a window as possible to get some advance notice from the little bit of air that can come in there. (Some birds could die from the draft alone - also doesn't count - so research care of your bird first.)

All animals give us warnings of some impending disasters. Before an earthquake, dogs stop barking, some dogs hide, cats hide, horses make more noise and get restless. Sharks are reported to evacuate the reefs they cruise daily before a hurricane. And, it is said that you can tell that an earthquake in winter is imminent when you see earthworms come out of the ground.

Before large earthquakes, it seems even the wind stops. A lightning storm without any rain or hail can be (not always) a signal that a large earthquake is on its way. A hailstorm can be (not always) a sign that the storm is becoming a tornado.

Hopefully, we will also receive warnings from government officials and/or weathermen when we need
them.

SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS

2008-05-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Some of the main things to consider are: water, food, heat, light, safety, health, sanitation, pet care, protection, and finance.

Water is essential to survival - for you and your pets. And, you may also need to have your own source of water for bathing, washing dishes, food preparation, and sanitation. Most water has a shelf life of only one year, so use your stored water as your bottled drinking water, replacing it as needed, so your water supply will always be fresh. If you are not able to use the water fast enough to keep the supply fresh, use the expired water your flowers, rinse your hair, or flush the toilet. Rinse the bottles out, then refill the bottles with fresh water. Even good water bottles cannot be refilled more than once or the plastic may leach into the water. This is another reason to keep buying fresh water and rotating them to the back of the line. Mark bottles that have been refilled a second time so they will not be used for drinking. After a disaster, you can still use this water for baths, washing hair, and flushing the toilet, etc.

FOOD

A supply of food for three months is recommended for your family and pets. Most food items won't stay fresh, let alone edible, for that long. So, stock up on the items that can last a long time.

CANNED FOODS: Most canned foods will store safely for several years, and more things come in cans than you may realize. This is a good way to have potatoes and other vegetables last nearly forever. Fruits are always in season when they come from a can. You can even find roast beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, corned beef, and more main-dish items in cans. Several types of chunky soups or canned stew make a hearty meal when served over rice or potatoes, or with bread or crackers.

FRESH VEGETABLES

You may have your own vegetable garden and so are not planning to store vegetables at all. One thing to remember is that water could become dearer to you than gold if a disaster strikes - would you want to use any of it to water a garden for food later when you need to have it to drink now? Some of your own "waste" water could be used for your garden if it isn't too soapy to kill the plants. This would be water that was used to boil eggs, potatoes or pasta, or liquid left over after cooking vegetables. If you have advance notice that an impending disaster will be a long one, you might want to plant some lettuce. If you are near a woodsy area, get yourself a good guidebook for picking wild salad greens. Don't pick from a flower garden where you have ever used fertilizer or bug killer, or where animals hang out.

DRY GOODS

Dry goods can be stored for a long time if they can be sealed air tight. If air can get in, so can bugs. Large buckets with good lids are great for keeping dry goods fresh and clean once their packages have been opened. Add a scoop for quick use. A measuring cup is a great scoop and a great way to keep the measuring cup clean and handy at all times. It is a good idea to have plastic containers with tight lids for storage of opened cereal, crackers, rice, etc. To help seal in more freshness and keep out bugs, put plastic wrap over the top of the container before you add the lid.

DRIED FOODS

Dried jerky comes in beef, turkey and other varieties, and these will keep for a very long time. You can dry your own meat, fish, fruits and eggs in advance if you prefer. Drying can be done in the sun, in your oven, or with a store-bought dryer. And, you can purchase many food items already dried for you.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

What about dairy products? Eggs can be found in powdered form. And, you could always keep one or two laying hens in the backyard. No, that isn't a joke. Eggs that are left in the refrigerator in their original carton can last up to two weeks longer than the sell-by date. The old-fashioned way of keeping eggs for a very long time is to put them in a barrel of salt and be sure that each egg is totally covered. Any method of keeping air out of the shell will work, including covering the egg shells with grease. The eggs should still be kept in a cool place. Milk is available in powdered form, and you can get condensed milk in cans for cooking. Remember to add to your water supply if you stock up on a large amount of foods that need water added to them. Many cheeses will keep for a very long time if they can be stored in a cool place. Cheese lasts even longer if you wrap it in waxed paper after the package is opened. This keeps away mold. The cheese may never get moldy if you don't touch the cheese with your hands. If a block of cheese does get moldy, you can cut that part off and still eat the rest. If some shredded cheese in a bag gets moldy, you must toss it all. You could even get a goat for an endless supply of milk and keep your lawn "mowed" at the same time if your zoning laws allow it. She needs water, powdered milk needs water - it's your choice.

JUST ADD WATER

Many manufacturers offer prepared meals in a packet. Add a little water to turn the contents into breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. These packets are lightweight, don't take up much room, and can be stored for a long time.

PREPARE FOOD AHEAD

It takes a lot of water to boil spaghetti, but you can buy it already cooked and ready to serve in cans or jars. Even though it is not as good as your homemade spaghetti, it will be edible two months down the road, sacrifices no precious water, and will taste better in an emergency situation than you can imagine now. If you know how to can and bottle your own food, make plenty of your favorite dishes now and put them aside.

JETSONS MEALS

That's right, the Jetson family would be right at home with these complete meals in pill form. Emergency Survival Food Tablets are a potentially lifesaving food for any emergency condition or when traveling light. The ultra-high-calorie tablets, taken throughout the day, supply a considerable portion of the calorie requirements of an active adult, enabling you to stretch your food stores and survive for months.

A NOTE ABOUT FOOD STORAGE

Do not use trash bags or trash can liners for storage of any kind of food, medicines, vitamins, toothpaste, etc. (anything that you put in your mouth), because they are usually treated with bug killer before you buy them.

HUNT YOUR OWN

If you are able to get to a stream, river, lake or ocean, you should have fishing gear on hand. Take care that your fishing area was not contaminated during or after the disaster. A sporting goods store can help you pick out the size and type of gear appropriate for your location (ocean versus lake fishing, for example). Those in the country may be able to hunt some of their own food (deer, rabbit, quail, etc.). If hunting is new to you, be sure to get a good book on how to hunt safely and what to do with an animal that you have killed for food. Taking a training course in advance would be a great idea for you to learn, and for the safety of yourself and everyone around you.

NUTRITION

During a long emergency, nutrition will be more important than ever. That should be one deciding factor when you are stocking up on food and supplements now.