Are you Ready for the Solar Storm? Preparation Ideas!

We will all be spending today watching the eletricity.  Will this solar storm deliver a hit to the electrical grid?  The nightlly news pointed out last night that this storm could impact communications and possibly the elctrical grid.  Hopefully it will not!  But....what if....?

"Today refreshing your supplies will help even if the storm does not turn into a G3.  Here is one of the recent stories.  In the article though the scientists state:

"So far, the orientation of the magnetic field has been opposite of what is needed to cause the strongest storming," the center said in its updated forecast. "As the event progresses, that field will continue to change."
As of midmorning ET, the level of geomagnetic disruption was relatively minor, in the G1 category. But space weather forecasters said they expected the storming to intensify. "Based on overall strength, the predictions for periods reaching the G3 level look justified," they said in the forecast. "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46668792/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/solar-storm-hits-our-planet-so-far-no-problem/

Another good article discusses the event.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57393241/solar-storms-five-facts-you-should-know/

NASA's rating systems of the storms are covered here:

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/

Having a good plan if the Solar Flares Disrupt the Grid is critical!

First on the Sustainability of the garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. If this was summer you would need to ask the question - Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days - Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. If it was summer, it would be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer.

Remember - They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=93779141


Second on your home and vehicles -

1. Do you have enough water for several days? It is good to have a couple of 5 gal camping containers freshly filled. You can find them at Cabalas and Wal-Mart. Buy them now because they will go out of stock when everyone else thinks about it!

2. Water bottles are helpful. As much as I hate to flood the landfills with water bottles, they are the easiest to carry in the car. They last a long time. You need at least 14 gallons per person to last 2 weeks. It would be good to have 4 cases of water per person on hand. Rotate them through the vehicles to keep them fresh.

3. Do you have enough food to last several days to 2 weeks to 3 months....?

4. Do you have the 72 hours kit in your vehicles?

5. Do you keep your gas gage over the ½ empty mark?

6. Do you have a way of cooking?

7. Do you have enough over the counter medications to carry you?

8. Do you have a good supply of your prescription medications?

Communications -

1. Do you have a communication plan for the family and extended family? This one I know I have to work on this week!

2. Do you know how to text? Texting is considered the best method for contact if there is a disaster. All the more reason for me to evaluate the smart phone idea.

3. Do you have a radio for emergencies?

Cash –

1. Do you have enough cash on hand for a short-term emergency? We all know the ATMs will be emptied.

2. Do you have enough cash on hand in small denominations for a long-term emergency?

Past News articles on the Solar Flare Season – This is a serious issue!

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/09/09climatewire-this-weeks-solar-flare-illuminates-the-grids-63979.html

PC World and your techie things
http://www.pcworld.com/article/229876/solar_flares_could_cripple_earths_tech_infrastructure_in_2013.html

PC Magazine Are You Ready?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386623,00.asp

National Geographic is concerned
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/

Good Resources – Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.

1. A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that Mormons use. I found this web site simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject. http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/
2. FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks. http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Are you Preparing? How?

Off Preparing - Judy

Just When I wanted the Solar Industry to Grow

I have wanted to see the solar industry grow since the 1970s.  It is hard to see it take a hit.  http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/09/01/business-industrials-us-solar-sector-snap_8654911.html

Hoping for a rebound in the industry!  Judy

Solar Flare 3 Times larger than February 2011

I see the sun is active again today.  The reason I am posting this news report is - It helps remind me what I need to do for a sustainable life.  I thought you might be interested as well.

Here is the article -
http://lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/09/solar-explosions-could-impact-earth/?hpt=hp_t2

To your preparation!  Judy

Turning New York into a Solar Power House

I found this article most interesting.  I have waited many years for solar energy to come into its own.  At the moment all I have enjoyed is garden solar lights.  It would be great to see something more practical happen.  Of course it all takes time and I have heard that for 40+ years.

Anyway here is a taste of the article and the link:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- About two-thirds of the one million rooftops in New York City are suitable for solar power. If every one of those roofs had solar panels, when the sun shines the brightest the city could get half its electricity from solar power.  http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/25/technology/solar-new-york/index.htm?iid=HP_River

Enjoy!  Judy

Solar Flare Season in Full Bloom - Are you ready?

I am sure this is "old" news to you. Still I thought it would be important to share some thoughts. I am sure I have missed some things but it is a start to get you thinking.

Having a good plan if the Solar Flares Disrupt the Grid is critical!

First on the Sustainability of the garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days. Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. It might be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer. Like keeping your gas gage above 1/2 full. Keep the garden well water this year. They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!



Second on your home and vehicles -

1. Do you have enough water for several days? It is good to have a couple of 5 gal camping containers freshly filled. You can find them at Cabalas and Wal-Mart. Buy them now because they will go out of stock when everyone else thinks about it!

2. Water bottles are helpful. As much as I hate to flood the landfills with water bottles, they are the easiest to carry in the car. They last a long time. You need at least 14 gas per person to last 2 weeks. It would be good to have 4 cases of water per person on hand. Rotate them through the vehicles to keep them fresh.

3. Do you have enough food to last several days to 2 weeks to 3 months....?

4. Do you have the 72 hours kit in your vehicles?

5. Do you keep your gas gage over the ½ empty mark?

6. Do you have a way of cooking?

7. Do you have enough over the counter medications to carry you?

8. Do you have a good supply of your prescription medications?

Communications -

1. Do you have a communication plan for the family and extended family? This one I know I have to work on this week!

2. Do you know how to text? Texting is considered the best method for contact if there is a disaster. All the more reason for me to evaluate the smart phone idea.

3. Do you have a radio for emergencies?

Cash –
1. Do you have enough cash on hand for a short-term emergency? We all know the ATMs will be emptied.

2. Do you have enough cash on hand in small denominations for a long-term emergency?

News articles on the Solar Flare Season – This is a serious issue!

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/09/09climatewire-this-weeks-solar-flare-illuminates-the-grids-63979.html

PC World and your techie things
http://www.pcworld.com/article/229876/solar_flares_could_cripple_earths_tech_infrastructure_in_2013.html

PC Magazine Are You Ready?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386623,00.asp

National Geographic is concerned
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/

Good Resources – Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.

1. A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that Mormons use. I found this web site simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.  http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/
2. FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks.  http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Are you Preparing?  How?

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=93779141

Sustainable Garden Solar Flare Plan is Critical!

Having a good plan for your Sustainable Garden if the Solar Flares Disrupts the Grid is critical!

Questions for the Solar Flare Plan for your Sustainable garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days. Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. Do you keep your garden well water? It might be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer. Like keeping your gas gage above 1/2 full. Keep the garden well water this year.

REMEMBER - They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!

See my posting that covers Solar Flare in Full Bloom.

Are you preparing?  Judy