Hopefully this article from the EFF will get more folks involved with #meshtastic and #Reticulum.

Building out the mesh before disaster strikes is what gets it in place for when disasters happen.

#EmergencyPrepardness

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/07/radio-hobbyists-rejoice-good-news-lora-mesh

Building the bonds between neighbors before an event is vital to a neighborhood coming together during an event, even a small one.

Wave your neighbors down when you see them. Be kinda annoying. Ask them if they need help, then help them.

We’re not going to get through the coming round of crises on our own, our best chance is together.

3/3
#EmergencyPrepardness #prepping #communityprepping

A downed limb a block and a half away took out power to half the neighborhood.
It was only out for four hours, and the morning was only in the high 70’s, but it was still a good time to test the preps.

We got the fridge hooked up to the big battery and got lights in the windowless bathrooms. Iwindows were opened. USB powered fans were plugged into small batteries and set up.
1/3
#EmergencyPrepardness #prepping

We were able to text neighbors to ask if they needed to refrigerate any prescriptions. We met on the sidewalks and exchanged information. The kid and I biked down to the scene and took pictures and texted the group.

The neighbor with the RV offered it as a place to cool off if the power didn’t come back on before the heat of the day.

2/3

#communityprepping #EmergencyPrepardness #prepping

Emergency Plan B.

This is the storm chaser and aviator speaking. ALWAYS have a Plan B. Do NOT rely on your cell phone for Emergency Alerts. First of all, governmental agencies have gotten really weird with EAS lately and some places use it like a PA system which inspires users to ignore all the alerts. Second of all, cell towers are not as plentiful as they should be in the 21st century. I can’t tell you the number of places I’ve been chasing storms where there’s no cell signal.

Get an emergency radio. I recommend the Midland ER50. It can be charged by solar, USB, or hand crank. It has AM, FM, and the weather bands. The National Weather Service still has all of their radio stations up and running. And if you want, this radio can scare the heck out of you with its warning notification system.

It’s less than $50 at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-Portable-Weather-Radio-Black-ER50/689241323

#EAS #emergencyPrepardness #StormChaser

I wrote up a couple more ideas on my blog, and have been trying out the shade cloths on the house this week.

It seems to work, with the inside temp staying around 78 in the day with minimal hvac assistance.

While the grid here seems to be handling the heat fairly well, it may not the next time. That’s way it’s always good to have a plan for yourself and your community.

https://www.michaelbelcher.net/heat-dome-prepping/

4/4

#EmergencyPrepardness
#heatdome
#prepping

Planning a single “cooling room”involves spending money if you don’t already have the items, but the items can be used as preps from other emergencies throughout the year.

Set up a small AC window unit and a backup battery/“solar generator”(like an ecoflow or jackey) large enough to run it. While you’re already spending the money pick up some solar panels that will work with the battery to keep it topped up during the day, when you’ll need the AC the most.

3/
#EmergencyPrepardness
#heatdome

Planning ahead for a time when either this heat dome or the next take out the power grid is something I do, but this time I’m putting my back-of-the-napkin ideas out there for others to use.

*Building modifications*

It sounds silly to put it this way, but keeping the sun from directly shining on the house will make it cooler.

Shade cloths, blackout curtains and reflective film on the windows all help.

2/
#EmergencyPrepardness #heatdome
#prepping

We’re currently under a Heat Dome in Tennessee, and the temps aren’t going to drop until next week. This is just a part of the Long Emergency everyone is going to have to deal with now.

Remember to check in with your neighbors, especially the elderly ones. I know mine like it hot, but a heat like this can quickly put them in danger.

1/
#heatDone #EmergencyPrepardness

And check in on the older neighbors who may not have planned for something like this.

We can all make it through this if we work together.
3/3
#communityprepping #EmergencyPrepardness