Preparation helps kids weather flood fright

Published May 5, 2011 in the Commercial Appeal

I'm not one to panic, but over the weekend, as the waters of the Mississippi rose, so did my stress level. Had my husband -- a former forest ranger, Peace Corps volunteer, and all-around Renaissance man -- been in town, I probably wouldn't have quietly packed "go bags" while the kids watched TV.

I've looked at the maps and can rest assured that my house is not in any immediate danger, but I still worry about friends and family. The county sent out a warning asking every resident of Shelby County to pack a "go bag" just in case, so I did. I felt a little silly, much as I do when we take cover in the tornado closet, but it eased my nerves to feel as though I was preparing myself. I packed three days' worth of clothes and nonperishable food, toiletries, flashlights, water and pet supplies.

When my husband arrived home on Sunday night and saw the bags I packed, he panicked a little, too, but for a different reason. "I thought you were leaving me," he said. Once assured that I had no intention of that, he joked that I should have packed some alcohol instead of a half-empty jar of peanut butter...(Read more).