Disaster Preparation:
Man-Made Disasters & Disease

If a pandemic, an earthquake, a super storm, or even a collapse of the dollar occurred, what would you do? Many people think that these kinds of emergencies or disasters are in our past and that the world is now prepared to handle them. But, if there is anything that history tells us, is that it’s bound to repeat itself.

World health crises

In the fall of 1918, across the globe, something erupted that seemed as benign as the common cold – the influenza of that season. However, this time it was far more than a cold. In the two years that this scourge ravaged the earth, a third of the world’s population was infected.

An old black and white photo of hospital beds

Worldwide, approximately 40 million people died. It was named the “Spanish Influenza” because it reportedly killed 8 million people in Spain alone. An estimated 675,000 Americans died of influenza during the pandemic, ten times as many as in World War I.

It’s easy to see why the “bird flu,” “swine flu,” and the “Ebola virus” have the potential to spread across the world so rapidly and why these kinds of health crises can be so terrifying. Plus, these days, pandemics can be an act of nature or even manmade. They are horrific and quietly cause more death and sorrow than almost any other disaster.

Any kind of pandemic as deadly and as wide spread as the 1918 flu would disrupt everything around us. The entire supply chain that our stores rely on would shut down and little food would be available for months.

Top caption that says: Electric grid failure: graphics showing no lightbulb, no computers, no phones, no internet, no radio, no atm

Frank Gaffney, founder of the Center for Security Policy predicts:

“… should the power go out and stay out for over a year, 9 out of 10 Americans would likely perish.”

“…Without access to a generator, your fridge, electric range, and microwave would be dead. All the food in your fridge and freezer would spoil…A total grid failure would also mean no fresh water to drink, cook, or clean with. You wouldn’t be able to operate your radio or TV, or charge your cell phone…”

A blackout like the one discussed here is not a fairytale. It could be caused by an act of war (an atomic bomb being set off 25 miles above the continental U.S.), by a solar flare, or by a coordinated terrorist attack against our electric grid.

What you can do to prepare

The big question is, “How can one prepare for emergencies?” It’s difficult to completely protect yourself because it can happen without warning. In most catastrophes, people survive through their knowledge, wits, and by helping each other.

So, if you believe that something like this might occur, it would be silly to not be somewhat prepared. Most importantly, one should always have extra food and water on hand – just in case.

Chalkboard that says Be prepared! and the text is underlined

This part is easy. Purchase additional food, or, better yet, you could use a home freeze dryer to fill your cupboards and pantry with the food you love to eat. This is the affordable way to have food that is far better than any emergency food that can be bought online or in stores. You already know your family likes it; so, it will never go to waste. You should also store water in cans, in barrels, purchase a water filter.

Again, the ultimate solution for all of these catastrophic scenarios is a Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer. With one of these units, anyone can preserve a wonderful selection of food (complete meals, meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy and desserts) with very little effort and for less than 20% the cost of purchasing emergency food storage.

Comparison table: retail freeze-dried food versus home freeze-dried food

Below is a chart that shows just how much it costs to freeze dry your own food at home versus buying it on-line or from a store.

Although store-bought emergency food will keep a person alive, it may not be the healthiest food for your family. It is usually made from dehydrated noodles or rice along with small amounts of freeze-dried vegetables and meat. These meals have very little variety and are always full of salt and food additives that we know are not good for us.

Harvest Right knew and believed that the world needed a better way to be prepared for whatever might come. The Home Freeze Dryer is an amazing appliance that insures you have the best and least expensive way to preserve healthy, nutritious, and delicious food to sustain your family next week or in the years to come.