By: ALANE CALLANDER | For the Stafford County Sun
Published: September 14, 2011
While hearing the sad stories and seeing the grim pictures of those who have faced nature’s wrath because of the recent earthquake and hurricane-related storms, I’m counting my blessings.
It’s much better to anticipate the worst, to go overboard buying emergency supplies, to make warning phone calls to loved ones, and then be left explaining, “We lucked out!”
The surprise earthquake actually prepared me for the hurricane and severe rainstorms.
I was in a session with a physical therapist at the time of the quake. When she started shaking like a disco dancer, I immediately thought only an earthquake could explain that!
When I got home I started looking around to see if there was damage. Some decorative items had fallen off shelves onto the floor, or in one case, into a toilet! A few pictures were askew on walls. Nothing serious, thankfully, and at that point objects weren’t important.
Despite all my worry and preparation around our Falmouth home, we didn’t lose power either, but I do believe it’s better to be over-prepared than caught off-guard!
The weather happenings of the past few weeks should remind us to take our environment seriously, too.
I’ll shift my concerns from preparation for disaster to protesting any consideration of reopening the Lake Anna Nuclear Plant near the epicenter of the earthquake, and I’ll join the campaign to continue Virginia’s ban on uranium mining.
Uranium mining in a wet, unstable environment like we have here in Virginia would be insanity and a true threat to “homeland security.”
Alane Callander is a south Stafford resident active in many local causes. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com
read more:
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/sep/14/callander-counting-blessings-after-quake-hurricane-ar-1309415/
Published: September 14, 2011
While hearing the sad stories and seeing the grim pictures of those who have faced nature’s wrath because of the recent earthquake and hurricane-related storms, I’m counting my blessings.
It’s much better to anticipate the worst, to go overboard buying emergency supplies, to make warning phone calls to loved ones, and then be left explaining, “We lucked out!”
The surprise earthquake actually prepared me for the hurricane and severe rainstorms.
I was in a session with a physical therapist at the time of the quake. When she started shaking like a disco dancer, I immediately thought only an earthquake could explain that!
When I got home I started looking around to see if there was damage. Some decorative items had fallen off shelves onto the floor, or in one case, into a toilet! A few pictures were askew on walls. Nothing serious, thankfully, and at that point objects weren’t important.
Despite all my worry and preparation around our Falmouth home, we didn’t lose power either, but I do believe it’s better to be over-prepared than caught off-guard!
The weather happenings of the past few weeks should remind us to take our environment seriously, too.
I’ll shift my concerns from preparation for disaster to protesting any consideration of reopening the Lake Anna Nuclear Plant near the epicenter of the earthquake, and I’ll join the campaign to continue Virginia’s ban on uranium mining.
Uranium mining in a wet, unstable environment like we have here in Virginia would be insanity and a true threat to “homeland security.”
Alane Callander is a south Stafford resident active in many local causes. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com
read more:
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/sep/14/callander-counting-blessings-after-quake-hurricane-ar-1309415/
