In the midst of Hurricane Harvey, it makes us wonder if we could’ve been a little bit more prepared and if more people could’ve gotten out before the storm. Although we usually have warnings when hurricanes are going to make landfall, their strength, intensity, and destruction can be unpredictable and you can only be so prepared for what is to come.

On Monday, August 21st, 2017, a majority of the United States will be able to see the total solar eclipse for the first time since 1918. It will span from coast to coast and the entire continent will be able to see the moon passing in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth’s surface. The total eclipse will start in Oregon at about 10:15 AM (PDT) and will end in Charleston, South Carolina at about 2:48 PM (EDT).  Plans for a safe viewing have been in the planning for quite sometime now. The great thing about this solar eclipse is that it doesn’t require any sort of equipment to view it, but it does require special equipment to view it SAFELY.

Just like packing for vacation, we tend to pack for everything that could possibly happen while we are gone and that usually includes over-packing and forgetting essential items. This goes hand in hand with prepping also. Here are 10 common prepping mistakes to avoid while preparing you and your family:

Tornadoes are nature’s most violent storms and can appear at the drop of a hat. They appear as rotating funnel clouds and their winds can reach up to 300 miles per hour and can travel for quite some time, damaging everything in their paths. With tornado season upon us, it’s important to know the steps that you and your family should take to be prepared before, during, and after a tornado.

This winter, for most, has been a winter of highs and lows; and we mean that quite literally. The temperature has been all over the place for a majority of the United States and it’s never too late to get yourself and your family prepared for the next wave of cold air.

Disasters can be one of the most stressful situations to be involved in, but training yourself to not only pack your belongings and your family but also packing your patience for the long road ahead can make this dark cloud of disaster seem a little bit brighter. Emergency preparedness doesn’t just include having your supplies and plan together, it also includes having a healthy (and prepared) mental state.

In the U.S. in 2016, we had a number of major disasters, natural disasters, and emergency situations come up as a nation. According to FEMA, we’ve had everything from severe storms & flooding, to hurricanes, to tornadoes, to landslides/mudslides, to winter storms and blizzards. So how can you prepare for these emergencies and keep your family safe?

Fukushima tsunami warning lifted after strong quake hits Japan. A tsunami warning was issued for waves up to three metres has been issued after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan. People were being warned to evacuate low-lying areas and Tokyo Electric Power Co was checking its nuclear plants for any damage.

One night you suddenly see a drone hovering next to a window of your home. Outraged, you shoot it down. Somebody calls the police because they heard a firearm discharged, and ten minutes later you hear a knock on your door.

So many people ask, “Why should I go vote? Does my vote even matter?” And the answer is a resounding YES!