Rural Living Resources
This section provides information and advice for those new to rural living, on practical measures to get through if Mahurangi West is cut off and people cannot simply drive to safety or the supermarket.
Getting Prepared Now
It’s useful to think about these issues and easier to obtain the equipment before emergencies arise. While you may be able to get help and borrow some of this equipment from neighbours, in an emergency the neighbours may be busy and may need their own equipment.
power
In this age, power is critical and provision of alternative sources is crucial for light, pumping water, preparing food, powering electric fences, and for communication. Below are some suggestions which may help with basic services.
Vehicle Batteries
Vehicle batteries can be used to charge cellpones and, with inverters, can power small appliances. Remember that vehicles’ batteries must be recharged regularly if they are to be of much use for any length of time.
Solar power
Solar power systems can provide reliable electricity as long as they are fitted with batteries. Remember that PV solar systems without batteries can only provide power during daylight hours, and are automatically disconnected when external power supplies fail.
Generators
Generators may be needed to provide significant power supplies for longer periods of time. Small generators can provide basic supplies for short periods but larger ones may be needed for larger loads. Electricians can advise on resilient backup power systems and can modify generators to feed directly into home power systems. These connections are safer and more convenient than long leads and power-boards.
Lights etc
Keep a supply of torches, battery-powered headlights, and transistor radios handy and check them regularly or perhaps when checking smoke alarm batteries.
Water
Water supplies are crucial and can be interrupted by power failures and by slips which break water pipes and fittings and mean you can no longer pump water from tanks and bores to taps.
A household will need a minimum of 3 litres of drinking water per person per day which starts to add up when there are 4 people in a household over a 72 hour period. Calculate your needs and then make provision.
Water for animals
Remember your pets and stock when considering water supply and ensure that stock troughs are checked regularly.
Drinking water
Save your own in 3 litre containers with a drop of bleach. Refill from time to time and store in a cool, dark place.
Buy drinking water in 10 and 20 litre containers from your supermarket and store it in a cool, dark place.
Tanks
Install an extra raised filtered 1000 litre with an easy access tap from which to fill containers. Fill it with overflow from main tanks and flush it periodically when you have plenty of water.
Septic provision
Ground movement and slips may break sewage connections and ruin septic drainage fields which will make toilets unusable.
Chemical Toilet
A practical interim solution is the lightweight, sealed chemical camping toilet available from camping stores for around $90. These are hygienic, odour free, easily emptied and will get you through until your septic system can be used again.
DIY Loo
An alternative can be readily made from items you may have around the home and simple instructions for an indoor toilet are readily available. After all, who wants to be outside building a loo in a storm?
Communication
Most of us assume that as long as our cellphones are kept charged they will have access to the network. But cellphone towers which are crucial to communication are battery powered and typically fail within 24-36 hours as the load on them increases in emergencies.
Internet
Internet based communication remains available as long as the copper and cable remains serviceable and can provide an alternative to cellphones.
UHF network
During emergencies the CRG will operate a UHF network on channels 10 and 20. Anyone can connect to this with small inexpensive, handheld 2 watt digital UHF handsets which come with car chargers and do not require operator licences.
Cooking
Having good, warm food in an emergency is crucial for both nutrition and morale. In rural areas it’s often not feasible to pop out for a takeaway meal and a reliable cooker is a valuable asset when electricity supplies are interrupted.
BBQs
BBQs are the most obvious backup source and are widely used, but are best used outside which is not much fun in a storm. Be sure that the bottle is full, or better still, keep a second 9kg bottle full for emergency use only.
Microwaves
Microwaves can be powered by larger generators and this is a convenient but pretty expensive way of heating food.
Camping stoves
Small, easily stored, gas camping cookers are readily available in hardware and camping outlets for around $30.00 and a 6 pack of gas canisters for these stoves costs a similar amount. These are safer to operate inside.
Access
The key to evacuating and to getting help to you is keeping access roads clear.
Drains
Check and clear regularly any manholes and drains that can block and undermine driveways and access roads.
Trees
Check on stability, and health, of trees along driveways. An arborist can help identify risks and prune trees before they fall and block driveways.
Remember some large trees which seem to be some distance away can be closer when they are on the ground.
Stock Management
Storms can make stock nervous and prone to wreck weak fences. Storms can also drop trees and branches on to fences and allow stock to get out on to roads where they become a hazard and an insurance risk.
Food & drink
Ensure that stock have water and food during emergencies.
Fencing
Keep portable electric fences handy to effect temporary repairs to fences.
Power electric fencing with 12 volt batteries when mains power is not available. Remember, it pays to have a simple switchover system and a fully-charged battery handy.
A solar battery charger may be useful to keep fences live for longer periods of time.
Road sense
Keep stock in well-fenced paddocks away from roads during storms.
Stock safety
Check creeks and swamps for stock which may have got bogged and will exhaust themselves trying to get out without help.
Support Networks
After a well-prepared household, the most valuable assets in emergencies are experienced neighbours and friends who can share knowledge, equipment and labour.
Neighbour-net
Get to know your neighbours because they will be the people most likely to be able to reach you and help you. Ensure that you have their numbers in your cellphone.
Sharing
Talk regularly about your respective skills, equipment and resources. If you know who has what skills and equipment, you’ll know who to call first!
