Storm Signals: The Technology Trap

It's funny, just the other day I visited James Burke's website and was treated to a series of my favorite videos-- the old Connections documentary series -- and was watching James Burke expound on how much we take our modern living for granted.

And now here I am after spending the morning making general preparations for some of the possible problems the current storm might inflict on me and my family.

It's not a matter of storm intensity, really -- it's the continuous rainfall. It hasn't stopped raining since last night, and it's already mid-afternoon. There are floods everywhere in Metro Manila, and I can see the water levels still rising along Don Chino Roces Ave. (also known as Pasong Tamo.)

According to an update from the Philippine Star news site:

...C5 Road, EDSA, Mandaluyong, Cainta, Caloocan, Parañaque and Cavite are also flooded.

So here are some of the preparations we're making in anticipation of the cessation of power and water:

1. make sure we have candles and a lighter;
2. make sure we've charged our combination radio / flashlight / electric fan;
3. make sure we've filled our available buckets with water;
4. charge all battery powered communication devices (laptops and cellphones);
5. check the various windows and doorways for leaks and floods.

Useful list for folks trying to move to higher ground:

(1) Drinking water

(2) Charged phones

(3) Working flashlights

(4) Radio with batteries

(5) Important documents in overnight bag

(6) Energy bars, canned food

(7) Alcogel

(8) Change of clothes

(9) Garbage bag

(10) Small towels