Let’s talk… being prepared for a disaster!

Growing up in New Orleans, I was accustomed to being ready to evacuate during hurricane season. If we stayed, we would always have a few days of water and food in the event we were cut off from normalcy. Last week, that need to prepare was made evident with the winter storm that ravaged Texas. 

Here are some things to consider if power and/or water go out for an extended period of time:

• First, come to the realization that the government can’t help you and you’re probably on your own. I used to make fun of “preppers” but now I believe we all need to prep.
• Second, you’ll need shelf stable food because refrigerated food will go bad. Stock up a little each week and buy canned meats and vegetables.
• Third, buy a 5-gallon container of drinking water and fill up your bathtub with water to wash hands and flush toilets. 
• Fourth, if you value electricity, get a whole home natural gas generator that turns on when the power goes out.
• Lastly, what I worry about is our national electric grid going down for an extended period of time because it hasn’t been maintained. Demand Congress and the President to invest in infrastructure.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial.