Natural and Manmade Disasters are Inevitable - Be Prepared
Join Dr. Kelly Victory, Chief of Emergency & Disaster Medicine on Rumble as she shares tips on preparedness for natural and manmade disasters over the coming days.
Dr. Victory’s impressive resume includes being an alumnus of the Natural Preparedness Leadership Initiative and has worked closely with officials from Homeland Security, HHS, FEMA, and multiple military branches. She is uniquely poised to deliver practical and lifesaving tips for her audience.
The list of natural and manmade disasters already occurring this past year is staggering. Natural disasters, from earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods are just a few of the natural disasters that have wiped out entire communities throughout the nation, leaving hundreds of fatalities and many homeless.
Number of fatalities due to natural disasters in the United States in 2023, by type (from Statisa.com)
With the threat of a new round of lockdowns, and the CDC sounding the alarm over almost any minor virus on their radar, the coming weeks and months are shaping up to be a challenge.
Mpox, avian flu, COVID, and countless cyberattacks threatening our water supply, medical infrastructure, and electric grid; we are in for a rough ride.
It’s time to get off the roller coaster and prepare.
The list of “what could go wrong” is endless. Emergencies happen every day. It is just a matter of time before fate comes knocking at your door and your number is up.
Manmade disasters on the rise
The most disabling and widespread - cyberattacks
- Cyberattacks are the most probable (already happening) and disabling scenario we are currently experiencing. This year alone, hospitals affected by Change Healthcare Systems cyber attack are still reeling from the damage it caused. Filling prescriptions, submitting insurance claims, and the ability to bill and pay bills were affected, leaving patients unable to access their plans to get their medications unless they were able to pay cash.
- On May 8 of this year, Ascension Healthcare suffered a cyberattack, leading to emergency departments turning away patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals reverting to paper charts, lab and imaging unable to operate, and the inability to access and fill prescriptions.
- Cyberattacks are also threatening our municipal water supply, electric grid, and banking systems.
Other manmade disasters
- Nuclear accidents at power stations
- Wars
- Civil unrest
- Oil or chemical spills, leading to contaminated air, water, and soil
- Home accidents leading to injuries
- MVA or other transportation incidents
Being prepared is peace of mind.
Listen to Dr. Victory’s video series on Rumble this month on preparedness as she walks you through getting prepared to weather most events. Her method of organizing and taking simple, proactive steps will insulate you and your loved ones from natural and manmade disasters, unexpected illnesses and injuries, and more.
|
|
Most probable to happen |
Medium probability |
Lowest probability |
|
Highest impact on your life |
Cyber-attack taking out banking, ATM machines not working, electric grid, cellphone towers, healthcare facilities, municipal water supply, gas stations offline |
Job loss depending on your field of work Weather or geographic events leading to flooding, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, causing power outages |
Accident at home causing extreme physical injury. (Unless you have sufficient supplies and meds and don’t need to go to a clinic or ER) |
|
Medium impact |
Car trouble causing you to be stranded |
Infection leading to need of antibiotics (that hopefully you already have)
|
Running out of gas in your car because you forgot to keep tank topped off. |
|
Lowest impact |
Appliance goes out and you need to replace or do without |
Went to grocer and foods you are used to aren’t available, and you must substitute for another item due to supply chain disruption |
Getting to work and forgetting your lunch |
Draw a table, like the example below, and take time to fill in the blanks. Your table will be unique to your circumstances.
While following Dr Victory’s video series this month on preparedness,
Put together your own table and using the above as an example, list:
- Your geographical location in which weather and natural disasters (earthquakes, wildfires, etc.) are usually experienced in your area.
- Are you close to a nuclear power plant? If so, do you have a plan for evacuation in the event of an accident?
- Age and physical condition and medical needs of each person in your group.
- Job stability- always have a backup plan. Even if self-employed, in our current economy you may find yourself without a job.
- Financial situation- Have extra cash on hand in the event ATMs are down
- Physical proximity-do you live in an area likely to experience civil unrest?
- Food and water storage- Contaminated water leads to waterborne diseases
- First aid and medical kits in case of inability to use healthcare facilities.
Once you have done this, fill in your own table, and put together a plan of action focusing on the most probable/most impactful box first.
The most important thing you can do is to act. Every day you put off is one day lost.
Visit: https://www.twc.health/pages/national-preparedness-month
Written By Brooke Lounsbury
