Preparing for the Expected

There is a lot of talk about preparing for the unexpected, but once we've thought about it and prepared for it (or bought insurance for it), is it really unexpected? I would argue that we prepare for a set of eventualities that, while uncertain in timing or probability, are well within the realm of possibility. In reality, we are preparing for the expected.

We lock the doors, because we expect that otherwise someone will come in and steal. We get the oil changed, because we expect that otherwise the engine will be damaged. We prepare for heavy rain by installing a drainage system, because we expect that otherwise we will have water in the basement. We purchase property insurance, because we expect to otherwise suffer financial ruin following a fire.

Somehow, though, preparing for a disaster by setting aside some food and water, making a communication plan with the family and employees, establishing a shelter area, or making the office or home less vulnerable by adding some security, can wait until tomorrow, or the day after that. Maybe it can wait, maybe no disaster--natural, human-caused, or technological--will ever hit your business or home. But, wouldn't you sleep better if you could expect to bounce back if and when the disaster hits?

Preparing for Hurricanes, No Matter What the Name

A recent study out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign proclaims that "Female hurricanes are deadlier than male hurricanes." The study has sparked some debate, not the least of which centers on the methods. Rather than focus on the methodological questions, or the findings of the authors themselves, my interest is the broader question of why people don't take preparedness more seriously in general. (Here is a link to a National Geographic article reviewing both the study and its detractors.)

Given that hurricanes rarely impact the Cincinnati area--with the notable exception being Hurricane Ike in 2008, that left many without power for a few days to over a week and resulted in $553 million in damage claims--hurricane preparedness is not at the top of my to-do list. However, we do get plenty of other storms here, causing plenty of headaches and damage. Tornadoes, floods, winter storms, and heat emergencies are the main natural disasters facing this area. 

In some ways, we can become pretty complacent about our response to these types of disasters. We've seen the lengthy reports, often preempting regular programming, then the heavily-hyped storm passes us by. While we may be momentarily thankful, many are irritated by proactive school closures and other cancellations that end up seeming to be more of an inconvenience than a wise precaution. When a storm does hit the area, it probably won't impact our neighborhood. Ho-hum.

Sometimes, ignoring the need for preparedness is a defense mechanism. Natural disasters are beyond our control. Reporting labeling storms "snowmaggedon" or "snowpocalypse" is meant to attract attention, but is it too much? Do we take the fear and turn it into a joke to avoid panic? The potential to lose your home or office in a storm can be just too overwhelming to imagine. If we worried about every possible danger, we'd be paralyzed trying to figure out what to do next. But, while the disaster itself is certainly beyond our control, putting some precautions in place is completely under our control.

Or is it that we just have other things to do? Life is very busy these days. 

But when a storm does find you, will you be left in the dark? Office and home preparedness don't have to be overblown and expensive. A weather radio, knowing where the candles and/or flashlights and batteries are, a bit of food and water in the basement (not on the floor), boots or sneakers in the trunk of the car, a designated shelter area at the office, and a communications plan to ensure that everybody gets the word and gets to the safe place don't cost much in terms of money or time. And with current weather forecasting technology being what it is, you may even have time once the reports begin! (Unless you need a snow shovel. Or milk.)

Of course, the above list is a bare-bones start. I could go on and on. (And I will as time goes on!) But it is a start, and I'm betting you'll feel better if you take these basic steps at home and at work. And you may even be motivated to delve deeper and do some more. At least, I hope so. No matter whether it is Hurricane Betty or Snowmageddon.