Can you ever really be prepared for tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis? Being prepared does not mean being immune to the destruction of a natural disaster, and all warnings and mandatory evacuations should be heeded. However, you can minimize your risk of damage and increase your chances of survival with every small step you take.
Tornadoes are very difficult to prepare for because there is very little time. The same applies to tsunamis. For tornadoes, you want to have non-perishable items packed and placed in a storm shelter. Along with those items you want to have a high quality first aid kit, lights or lanterns, blankets, and a battery operated radio with fresh batteries tucked away in the shelter. Tornadoes come at you fast and they leave fast.
While you want all the same gear prepared for a tsunami you certainly don't want it in a storm shelter that is underground. Many people believe that having small inflatable boats will save them in the event of a tsunami or flood. While you might get lucky, ultimately you can't rely on such material. The pressure and current of a tsunami is large and fast and small rubber rafts simply don't do it. The higher the ground the better your chances are at survival.
For tornadoes and tsunamis there is not much you can do to prevent the damage that is caused to the home. Each of these events is strong, fast, powerful, and often takes what it takes on its way through. Survival is the key to these events.
Earthquakes tend to strike hard when they strike but there are often warning signs. Even if others aren't taking the warning signs seriously you should. You want to be able to get beside something hard that isn't likely to break under pressure. Doorways will do in a pinch, but ultimately being beside a sturdy desk or even inside the cabinets can be a good place to ride out an earthquake. If you hide under the furniture if the building collapses so will you. Lie down, protect your head, and allow the objects around you to crush, leaving you in an air pocket.
Hurricanes are long range predicted events. The number one reason for staying through an evacuation is being forced to leave animal companions behind. Remember that staying means you can't get help. Board up windows, stock up on easy to open non-perishable food and lots of water. You may be stuck for days, and sometimes weeks. Be prepared with everything you could need, including light, sound, and lots of sandbags. Surviving a disaster is not always about good planning, but good planning can help improve your chances.
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