Recent weather-related headlines show the fury of Mother Nature unleashed: 鈥淥klahoma tornado damage estimated at $2 billion.鈥�
鈥淲ildfires trigger evacuations in Colorado.鈥�
鈥淕lobal extremes, from wildfires to deep freeze.鈥�
鈥淢ultiple deaths in Texas tornado.鈥�
鈥淔lood warning for Upper Fraser River.鈥�
But closer to home, the news is a little less alarming:
鈥淭ypical summer heat forecast for Island.鈥�
Just the way we like it 鈥� not too hot, not too cold. A cool breeze off the water now and then, perhaps a few small-craft warnings on the strait, but mainly pleasant and sunny days on the south Island. Oh, it might get a little dry in July and August, but nothing we can鈥檛 handle.
In this congenial climate, it鈥檚 easy to be complacent about the weather and other natural phenomena, but we are not immune to disaster and we should be prepared.
Living on a mountainous island, we are limited in our access. It doesn鈥檛 take much to close off routes in or out of the region. Power lines run through forests, and trees tend to fall on powerlines.
Marine traffic going to and from Vancouver presents plenty of opportunities for hazardous spills. Some areas of the Island are prone to tsunami damage.
And then, of course, there鈥檚 the Big One 鈥� the devastating earthquake that will come sooner or later.
Having a 72-hour kit and a communications plan, keeping the gas tank full and maintaining a supply of food and water could make the difference between inconvenience and hardship when nature decides to be a little less benevolent.
