Starting the new year with purpose and intent! 🎉 Let's give a warm welcome to Andrea Hines (@andrea-hines-5939) and Connie L (@connie-l-8955) as they join the Surviving What's Coming family! 🙌 We're thrilled to have you both here as part of our community focused on learning, growing, and staying prepared for whatever comes our way. 🛠️💪 Welcome aboard, Andrea and Connie! Let's make 2025 a year of resilience and readiness together! Please spread the word to family and friends about joining our community. 🖤🧡 #SurvivingWhatsComing #NewMembers #EmergencyPreparedness @nichole-owens-9246 @corbin-nelson-7147 @livi-grimes-2471 @abby-willroth-9848 @theresa-cherry-9573 @danielle-e-3505 @kristina-charles-6327 @knekia-maggett-8494 @carolyn-basa-1882 @mary-kitchen-9959 @angie-w-4863 @brent-stephens-7998 @kenneth-cain-6867 @vonnetta-spencer-6522 @nathaniel-tynes-6503 @latoya-simmons-4568 @natalie-little-3896 @melissa-tibbs-2156 @lashonda-brazell-6277 @kimberly-cain-5048 @kamera-museau-2315 @terry-tenny-3146 @daniel-daugherty-6863

As we prepare to welcome the New Year, it's important to reflect on recent events and prepare for what’s ahead. The power outage in Puerto Rico serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly essential services can be disrupted, leaving 1.4 million people in the dark today. Coupled with the looming polar vortex expected to impact parts of the U.S., now is the time to evaluate your preparedness plans and take action. Puerto Rico’s Power Outage: A Wake-Up Call Puerto Rico recently experienced a massive power outage that left homes, hospitals, and businesses without electricity for extended periods. While recovery efforts are underway, the outage highlights vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure and the cascading effects of such failures on daily life. From the inability to refrigerate food to disrupted communication and access to clean water, these challenges remind us of the importance of being ready for unexpected emergencies. Key Takeaway: Power outages can happen anywhere and at any time. Are you ready to stay safe and self-reliant if the lights go out? The Polar Vortex: Another Test of Preparedness Meteorologists are warning about a polar vortex descending upon parts of the U.S., bringing extreme cold temperatures, potential snowfall, and increased strain on power grids. Winter storms of this magnitude can knock out power, disrupt travel, and pose serious risks to health and safety. What Can You Do Now? - Winterize Your Home: Insulate pipes, seal windows and doors, and ensure your heating system is in good working order. - Stock Up on Essentials: Make sure you have non-perishable food, water, medications, and warm clothing. - Backup Power Sources: Invest in portable power banks, solar chargers, or a generator to keep critical devices running. Get Your Preps Together Now With these events as a backdrop, there’s no better time to take stock of your emergency supplies and plans. Preparedness isn’t just about having gear; it’s about having a strategy.

I am a 22-year military veteran who served in the Navy as a Search and Rescue Swimmer/Crew Chief and as an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller. I have worked as a Dive Captain and Rescue and Recovery team member for the Lauderdale Emergency Management Association in Mississippi and as a Volunteer Firefighter. I have spent most of my life in emergency preparedness in one form or another. I am looking forward to being an active member of this community. Thank you for the opportunity!

🎉 Let’s give a warm welcome to Daniel (@daniel-daugherty-6863)! 🎉 We're thrilled to have you join our Surviving What's Coming community! 🌟 This is the perfect place to sharpen your preparedness skills, learn from others, and take steps toward greater safety and confidence. 💬 Be sure to introduce yourself and share what brings you here! We're excited to hear your story and see how you'll contribute to the community. Let’s show Daniel some love and make him feel right at home! Drop a comment or reaction below to say hi! 👇 Welcome aboard, Daniel! 🚀 @nichole-owens-9246 @corbin-nelson-7147 @livi-grimes-2471 @abby-willroth-9848 @theresa-cherry-9573 @danielle-e-3505 @kristina-charles-6327 @knekia-maggett-8494 @carolyn-basa-1882 @mary-kitchen-9959 @angie-w-4863 @brent-stephens-7998 @kenneth-cain-6867 @vonnetta-spencer-6522 @nathaniel-tynes-6503 @latoya-simmons-4568 @natalie-little-3896 @melissa-tibbs-2156 @lashonda-brazell-6277 @kimberly-cain-5048 @kamera-museau-2315 @terry-tenny-3146 @daniel-daugherty-6863