OPEN IN CASE OF CALAMITY OR POWER OUTAGE

Dad here. I know you all think I’m nuts with my prepping stuff but please humor me by reading this entire letter. Try to imagine: no lights, air conditioning, TV, refrigerator, running water, radio, no power for grocery stores, gas stations, ATM’s, OR CELL PHONES.
An outage like this might not end in an hour or two. It could literally go on for months or possibly longer. I don’t want to scare you, but here are a few things you can do:

• Buy three cases of bottled water. Put one in your trunk and the other two under your bed.
• Buy three boxes of old fashion granola bars (hard crunchy ones). Put one in your trunk and the other two under your bed.
• Get a couple of good flashlights and extra batteries. Put one in your trunk and the other in your bedroom.
• Keep at least ONE-HALF tank of gas in your car at all times (IMPORTANT.)

How do you know it’s not just another power outage? It will still be going on after four hours. At that point, you must treat the outage as though it will be forever. Trust me, this is entirely possible.

Beware if:

• The power goes out for no apparent reason… no storms, etc..
• There is no power anywhere. There could be a few battery backup lights, but the vast majority of lights are out.
• Your cell phone doesn’t work.
• Your car radio doesn’t work.
• Your car won’t start during an outage. If your car does start, it’s okay to take a short drive to see IF there is power somewhere else. You won’t need to go far, just out of your neighborhood and a mile or two from your house. If there’s still no power that far out, get to our meet-up-location.

At first:

1 Try to call or text me if you’re not sure. If you can’t get through, you need to act.

2 Pack your stuff into your car, discretely, and head to our family meet-up-location by the route I’ve printed for each of you. Don’t talk to anyone about what you’re doing. Just pack your stuff and go. The longer you wait, the more dangerous the trip will become.

What to pack:

• All your food especially canned and dried goods,
• water,
• any medicines you need,
• clothing you really use (no business or dress clothing),
• pillows and blankets,
• toiletries including toilet paper,
• family photos and important documents including your driver’s license and passport,
• camping gear,
• any firearms and ammunition,
• pets, but also bring food for them and kennels if at all possible.
• anything else you can fit that you think would be important (don’t overdo this. You need to leave very soon.)

The routes I’ve planned for each of you are not the most direct way to the family meet-up-location. These routes will take you through less-populated areas that should be less-congested and maybe safer. Do not stop to pick up anyone. Get your car packed and hit the road!

If you haven’t shown up by day three after a large-scale power outage, I will assume you couldn’t leave for a very good reason. In that case, I will come get you at the last location where I knew you to be.

Just remember, it’s much better to over-react than to under-react. If in doubt, grab your stuff and go to the family meet-up-location.

After reading this and doing the things I’ve asked, seal the envelope and KEEP THIS LETTER AND MAP IN YOUR GLOVE BOX…I’m going to ask to see it when I see you! 😊

If you’re ever wondering what I would like for Christmas or my birthday, you doing this stuff is IT!

Love you!
Dad

What would you add in a letter to your own loved ones?