A recent series of thunderstorms got me thinking. With the lights flickering, I went through the house preparing for an electrical outage.

I unplugged the TVs and computers even though they were on surge protectors - it wasn't worth the risk of a faulty surge protector ruining my equipment if we did get a power surge.

I lit some candles around the house so we wouldn't be in complete darkness. One of the candles was lit next to the flashlights I keep on my kitchen counter so they would be easily found and accessible if needed.

I opened the shades and set up a game for my husband and I to play while enjoying mother nature's beautiful display.

That was it.

I WAS PREPARED

Because I keep my household stocked for any weather emergency, there wasn't anything else to do to prepare for a magnificent series of storms coming through the area.

I already keep Ziploc bags full of water in my freezer so the freezer stays cold longer should we loose power.

I already have potable water (water to be used for cleaning and flushing toilets but not for drinking) stored in plastic cat litter containers. One thing most people don't realize is if power is out for a few days, there will not be water coming into the house since electricity is required to deliver the water to our homes.

I have cases of water in my basement for drinking. I also have electrolyte drinks (like Gatorade) to provide additional nutrients and to use to ward of dehydration should anyone get sick.

And I have food. Food that doesn't required electricity to prepare it. Peanut butter, crackers, canned chicken and tuna, home canned fruits and vegetables, nuts and dried fruit, and cereal just to name a few.

I also have lots of pasta, rice, beans, etc on hand. For a short term emergency (a week or less), I can use my grill to boil water to cook these and we keep an extra propane tank on hand just in case.

It is an incredible relief to know that I don't have to run to the store when a hurricane or blizzard is coming and everyone else is frantically purchasing and preparing for the storms.

But it's more of a relief for those unexpected moments - like a thunderstorm or tornado - where you don't have much warning to prepare in advance. I know I have what I need to get through.

MY MOM

I received a call from my mother this morning. She does not live close to me, but she experienced the thunderstorms as well. She has been without power for 24 hours and will be without power for at least another 24 hours.

She was calling to let me know so I wouldn't be worried when I couldn't reach her today or tomorrow.

I asked if she had food, drinking water, and potable water stored up in preparation. She had some food, plenty of water but none that was potable. So I'm not sure if she's going to purchase fresh water to use to flush her toilets and cleaning or what?

Luckily her local library and stores have power, so she will be staying out of the heat by hanging out at the mall or library today. But this is an incredible inconvenience for her and I wish she was a little more prepared.

Once things calm down, I'll be working with her to get her home better prepared for these unexpected emergencies as well.

ARE YOU PREPARED?