Your home is your castle but what if you're not home? Some communities have more to worry about then others. For instance, if you lived in an area that was prone to storm surge, you might well have plans (or should) for sheltering, you may have lived through it before and learned lessons the old fashion way. Sheltering may not be a viable option for you at all, so you might be the type that stays ever ready to Bug Out at the first sign of trouble. Hopefully you have a place to go AND can get there in time.
There are degrees of sheltering based on the situation. For instance a storm may last days, maybe weeks and you will need to fend for yourself and family for a long time.
If caught outside during a dangerous hail, wind or lightning storm, sheltering may only be hours.
I'm sure the reader knows that to shelter at home would be the easiest and most comfortable place to be stuck, but what if you were on the road when you were forced to shelter? You can't drive, you can't walk, what do you do?
You do what the man says..shelter in place. Even if that place is your vehicle.
An automobile can be shelter (tight shelter) if you have planned ahead. Lets look at three types of vehicular shelter.
They will all have some things in common:
Keeping you dry which will protect you from hypothermia.
Protection from lightning and air borne debris.
Have their own atmosphere, most contaminants will not get in (if prepped)
May provide warm or cool air (if the situation allows)
DO NOT run engine in deep snow. DO NOT drive through water of unknown depth.
A small "Coleman" type cooler should be kept in the trunk with water and snacks (NO CHOKING HAZARDS, if you have children this is important) a roll of duct tape (for covering vents) and a flashlight, flagging material, signaling tools, first aid and emergency alert radio (so you have a clue whats going on).
Until help arrives or it is safe to travel you may be STUCK inside the vehicle. Think cujo
The Passenger Car is small but will meet these needs. Make sure you can reach the trunk through the rear seat, easier in some cars, impossible in others. If you don't have trunk access, items will need to be "in" the vehicle (floor of back seat)
The Van is ideal for family shelter because of its size and layout. All Hail the Socker Mom. Its made for carrying more people, cargo and in some cases, fuel (better range). all important to shelter. The cooler box fits right in here. I use mine to keep refrigerated items cold on my way back from the grocers. I pull out the bag with my shelter items in it, lay it aside while the meat and ice cream stays cool. When I reach home and empty the cooler, the shelter items go right back in.
Pick Up Trucks are a bit limited in their ability to provide much shelter unless you have a camper cap style bed cover. These units can be a God send. A Pick up allows you to carry more then conventional vehicles in the rear, but sacrifices room up front. You can sleep in the back, but the front is for driving only.
Remember being mobile is a mixed blessing. You might be able to move a bit to better position yourself for the oncoming storm, fire or chemical cloud but you are a moving target as well. Your exact position is unknown to others. It may be hard for rescuers to locate you or reach you should your shelter become stranded. CARRY A CELL!
Or better still, A SPOT satellite messenger unit. These units can contact up to ten people at once via cell or E-mail. When received via E-mail, your rescuer will see a link with directions to YOU using GOOGLE maps, and will provide them with directions to your exact location.
YOU ARE NOT HOME NOW, YOU CAN"T STAY HERE LONG WITHOUT SUPPORT
Make sure responsible people know of your travel plans and what to do if you are late or don't arrive as expected.
One additional item of consideration. If your car has an aerial style Athena, you might consider tying a strip of bright survey ribbon (6 inches) to it. This might help you determine wind direction (important if smoke or chemicals are blowing) and it may help you be seen at a distance. It will at least help you find the car at the mall.
Watch your six
RJ
