Two weeks ago, the normally, balmy Texas weather turned into a frigid, ice and snow catastrophe. A frigid air mass from the North came rushing down into most of the United States. Only one or two states escaped the brutal cold.

My home lost power. Many houses on my street had pipes burst because when your power is out for that long, there is no heat and the water pipes bust since they are not insulated in southern states. And because so much water was lost along with no electricity to keep the water supply running, millions also lost their water. My daughter and son-in-law in Houston didn’t have water for almost a week. The government is beginning to access the damage and concluding the power company that oversees the Texas utilities decided against upgrading the system – to save money. That decision cost lives and caused huge problems for millions.

We can’t control those above us who make the decisions, but we can be prepared. I was a Brownie and Girl Scout and that’s one thing we learned: Be Prepared. So here is a list of items I believe you should get now in case you lose power due to an ice storm, hurricane, or tornado.

Action Plan

Be prepared:

1. Have a place in your home you and your family can run to fast in case of an emergency. In Texas, most of us don’t have basements so I have a closet under the stairs for that purpose.
   
   
2. Buy items to store in that safe place: wind-up radio and flashlight; battery powered lantern; candles, matches, extra batteries; battery charger for your cell phones; written list of all emergency numbers in case you can’t use your phone; copies of insurance papers, medical insurance numbers, prescription names, type of dosage, etc.; blankets; at least 2 gallons of water per person; some non-perishable food along with food for your animals; can opener; knives and utensils.
   
   
3. As soon as you see a weather newscast saying cold weather is coming, go to the store! We knew at least 5 days before that the weather would go down to single digit temperatures. We keep our bread in the freezer already, but I went on and bought a roast to cook before the cold weather came, vegetables, and extra fruit and milk.
   
   
4. Try getting all the dirty clothes, towels, sheets washed in case you lose water; run the dishwasher and clean your home. Then fill your bathtubs with water to use to flush your toilets in case you lose water. And fill up pitchers for extra drinking water.
   
   
5. If you can, buy a camp stove or a gas grill so you can cook outside. We have a gas stove top so we could still heat up water and cook, which was a life saver.
   
   
6. Also, if you can afford it, buy a generator. I have one on my wish list!

Remember, no matter what catastrophe we may find ourselves in, God is in the middle of it! Ask for His comfort and provision. Listen to praise music and just love on your family. I know going through a tornado, hurricane, or loss of power and water is hard. But there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel because God will not let go of your hand.

Manna from Heaven

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Isaiah 43:2-5