Now, let’s compare the same reactions that these 3 groups of people might have in a more realistic situation. A very probable end of the world scenario is obviously one that is happening now and what a better place to take an example from than Iowa. As I am sure you all know the poor state has been plagued with heavy flooding from a few of the rivers there. How would our 3 different mindsets fair in preparedness for the end of the world?

Zealot. Well for starters the zealot has several things to be proud of in his basement, one is an inflatable raft. Any zealot living near a major river or in a low lying neighborhood has a raft or canoe of some sort. If he had a flash flood the first thing to come to mind would be sandbags. He would own some or have the number of the city to call and have them delivered to his home (as is the case in military housing.). He would immediately secure sandbags and stack them around all of his doors. Thus postponing the waters from reaching his dwelling, but also giving his belongings a second chance. Not only would he use this method, but he would also move his valuables to the second floor or attic and put his furniture up on blocks so as to prevent the water damage. (If one is caught without wood blocks or bricks of some sort it is then a matter of choosing which piece of furniture is more important to you and placing it on top of a less important one.) He might remove his books from the lower shelf on the case and will certainly pick up the things that might be on the floor so they are not damaged.

Now when he is forced to leave the zealot, if he is unable to drive away, can produce his raft; stock it with very important things like food for a few days. Others might include; guns, money, important papers such as passport etc. Then family members and pets and set sail for dryer ground.

Not to mention put some of his non perishable food goods on the second floor near a window or tie them to the roof. This is a good idea because if he can not, for some reason, get to a safe area in a few days or is lost and finishes all of his food he can return to his house and resupply easily even after ten feet of water has suddenly appeared.

In this way the zealot has survived the rising waters, has a way to maneuver towards safety and without need to mention has a winding, waterproof radio that will guide him to the red cross/ national guard relief zone.

The moderate as we said before has a few things around the house and a knack for improvising. He will have the flashlights ready if the power goes out and might look up sandbag distribution centers in the phone book. He will turn the television to a local station to get the news and be ready for the call to leave by having a few travel bags out of the closet in case he needs to pack. When the time comes this man will hop in the car and drive away returning later and being able to tell the story of how he survived the flood of 08. By keeping himself informed he has made good a bad situation and saved his family.

The nonbeliever almost dooms himself from the start. He notices the rain and his first thought is, “I hope the basement doesn’t leak better go and get the shock vacuum.” He sees the flood warnings on the news and wishes he had more hot chocolate and had the sense to go and rent a few movies beforehand. It is only when the water is flooding his first floor does he realize that evacuating might have been a better alternative and that it was a bigger deal than he thought. Unfortunately it is normally too late by then and he must sit by and watch his carpet and belongings ruin.

Often the media accomplishes its goal of waking these people up and letting them know how bad things are going to get. When most nonbelievers see the flood houses on the news they think again and quickly become moderates. In fact they sober up quite fast when they hear the, “beep! Beep! Beep! Of the red emergency strip running across the bottom of their TV screen.

But there is a bottom line to all of this.

#1 Have a self powered radio and flashlights.

If the power goes out you may not get the televised warnings, better to be aware of what is going on and have a radio. Flashlights are always good to use in searching situations if you lose something or someone that battery better not die or they might.

#2 Keep food and drinking water in stock.

If you get trapped in your house or in a shelter somewhere a few bites to eat are always welcome. Plus water you don’t have to boil is a must for these situations.

#3 Have or know where to get sandbags.

They may not always be needed to save you your furniture, but at least will keep the carpet replacement cost away in a small flood, plus they give you and your family more time to make a plan on how to save your valuables.

#4 A raft should not be out of the question if you live near a body of water or in a very low area.

If your car is floating at the end of the road a raft is the best way to travel.

#5 When the water is rising evacuate!

We learned this from Katrina don’t say it won’t be so bad when dealing with rising rivers and hurricanes just leave when they call for an evacuation or when you feel the need.

#6 Have some cash on hand.

At least a few hundred dollars so you can get a hotel room or pay for food in an area where there is no power. You want to have access to everything you need anywhere.

#7 Get a gun.

I am a big gun enthusiast. One of the reasons is that when it comes to a survival scenario some people have no regrets killing to get what they need. If you have the last bottle of water and they need it you are just another obstacle in the way of preserving their lives. Protect your self at all times. We also learned this from Katrina. A few people were mugging the ambulances that came down there. Don’t be caught short and dead.

Finally the most important.

#8 HAVE A PLAN!!!!!!

I can not stress how important it is to have an idea of what you would do in an emergency. Know where you might evacuate to where the police and fire stations are in your area, where the hospital is, and how you could get there. Know that you have the necessary things to preserve yourself and family. Pick a point in town and out of town where you can meet if you are separated.

As a final note I would like to send my heart felt condolences to those poor people affected by the flooding. May G0d help them be safe.