Los Altos Real Estate Blog

I have family in two different towns in the San Diego metro area, La Jolla and Carlsbad.  Yesterday afternoon at about 4PM, I got a call from my mom asking if the power was out.  No!  I thought it was isolated but as it turned out, the entire southwestern region was out of power.  Somebody made a big mistake!  I spoke with my sister as well and got the scoop on what was happening "behind the scenes" since it took over 2 hours for the news to report on any of the details.  In a few short hours San Diego had:

• Store closures and people already fighting for ice, food, etc
• Traffic jams of epic proportions
• People unable to drive anywhere (garage doors closed, gated communities sealed)
• Lots of people in the streets asking anyone for details because TV, radio, and internet were out

It was interesting because the breakdown in civility was pretty quick with people fighting outside a Ralph's (supermarket chain) to get supplies in what they perceived was an emergency.  From what I was told, there were concerns of terrorism and no water.  Clearly we've gotten soft!  If only people would remember that water is almost always gravity-fed and doesn't stop running when the power goes out!

After getting the scoop it occured to me that people are seldom prepared for disasters or overreact when something happens.  There are a few things though that I think people need to be aware of when something like this happens.  My family is prepared with backpacks that contain all the necessary supplies to survive for days including food, water, shelter, first-aid kit, hand-crank lights and radios, cellphone charger (hand powered), and other necessities.  Here are a few other things to consider as well:

• DON'T PANIC (sounds like Douglas Adams)
• Know how to manually open your garage door and the gate of a gated community
• Have a means of charging your cellphone (hand crank charger)
• Coordinate a "rally point" for family and friends where people can go if homes are unsafe
• Keep others around you calm - don't lose civility

In my childhood, when our home lost power we turned it into an indoor camping adventure.  We made a fire (lost power during winter a lot), set up candles, gathered games to play, and generally had fun.  Sure, it sucks to lose power and all the issues that go with it but what's the alternative.  Relax and make the most of it.  Take a break from technology and reconnent with your fellow human beings.