Officials warn: Terror threat is 'significant'

USA Today ^ | 2/11/03 | Mimi Hall and Jack Kelley

[JustPiper]

WASHINGTON

[itssoamusing]

My wife and I are going out tonight to get our supplies. We live about 25 miles outside of DC close to Dulles Airport. In preparing for this, we planned on using a room in the basement that is underground with no windows. Would it be better for us to stay in the upstairs master bedroom 3 stories up or in the basement? The oxygen thing is starting to make me wonder if we stay in the basement. Our townhouse is an end unit with extra windows in the master bedroom though. Ideas anyone?

[Severa]

I'm nervous too. I live 20 miles from the biggest US naval installation in the world, NAS Norfolk. Currently waiting for husband's (FR screen name Hostel) arrival from a training underway. We have two sons, ages 3 and 6.

[fivecatsandadog]

I think the Homeland Security office needs to find a better way to communicate these "series" alerts. I read the internet off and on throughout the day, drive with the radio on, etc. - yet, I didn't hear this "update" to the original alert until this morning. Then I got to thinking. Ok. So we're all prepared. Now if there is an attack, wouldn't it be more "terrific" if it's carried out in the middle of the day? Think about it. Families are separated: parents are at work, kids in school. Separated for days. The terrorists aren't going to drop a dirty bomb at 6:30 p.m. while we're all settled down together for dinner.

[Mamzelle]

A Las Vegas hospital, with Las Vegas Emergency personnel?

[judicial meanz]

Your choice should be based on the threat. Not knowing what the threat is, in your situation I would be adaptable. The basement room without windows sounds good,but it may be necessary to adapt your plan to include another room just in case the agent is one of those that immediately goes to ground and stays in depressions, like mustard gas.

I would stay in the basement room , because you can confront most (75 percent)threats from there. Just make sure to listen to a battery powered radio and adjust your plans in case.

You should be fine. I wish I had a basement...LOL.

[judicial meanz]

I bought a pair of FRS/GMRS radios with a weather feature along with an AM/FM radio and police scanner. The radios have a 5 mile range for transmission, and the Feds immediately take over the GMRS frequencies in an emergency. This way I should have some knowledge of whats going on.

total cost of two frs/gmrs radios about 40 dollars. A scanner can be had for about 50, but I have had it for years.

[Tamzee]

20 miles from the biggest US naval installation

Ouch :-( Much worse than my situation, I hope everything goes well for you and absolutely nothing touches your family. I also feel terribly for anyone who lives in NYC/Washington or immediately around it. It's got to be difficult to know how worried to be, but trying at the same time not to overreact.

[judicial meanz]

Us Virginians have dealt with this before. We can hande it!

[Snowy]

I always thought that instead of the color codes, the best way to tell how much s*** we're in is to look at the expression and demeanor of those in the know. Older men have a gray appearance when they are either sick or under a lot of stress. I think that Rummy has a poker face, but I think Bush wears his feelings on his face.

[Kennesaw]

sounds like a few of you will have to add a nice big roll of aluminum foil to your inventory.

LOL!

[Tamzee]

You're right, forgot who I was talkin to! If you see any bad guys down there, just make sure when you take 'em out that you leave a bit left for DNA identification ;-)

[Cicero5]

I too live close to DC (about 30 miles out on the MD side). I have put a lot of thought into this over the past few years, even prior to 9/11.

I recommend the basement. I also recommend that in addition to food and water you make sure that you have a weapon. If something were to happen there are people who will try to take advantage of the authorities being preoccupied. I'm not attempting to get people stoked up on weapon recommendations (there is a lot of knowledge on this board), but make sure you have a pistol or a shotgun and some ammo.

also, I have found that some of the bulk shopping stores like BJs and price club are great for supplies...rice, peanut butter, grains, canned vegetables, grains, etc.

[fivecatsandadog]

I bought a pair of FRS/GMRS radios with a weather feature along with an AM/FM radio and police scanner.

Good idea. We have a NOAA weather radio with SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding). According to NOAA, "Weather Radio will be used to alert the public of non-weather related emergencies, such as earthquakes, toxic or chemical spills, other civil emergencies, national attacks, or nuclear blasts, in extreme cases". We also have a bearcat scanner and a battery-radio that picks up shortwave broadcasts. Now, all I need to do is convince hubster to be prepared to seal the doors and windows and move to the cellar if needed. He says it's unlikely we'll be targeted because we're out in the country, 50 miles from Detroit. He thinks I'm paranoid. I say I'm trying to be prepared. There's a difference.

[judicial meanz]

Thanks Tams. You guys stay safe too!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

As I recall wars start typically on weekends. At least WWII.

[judicial meanz]

Just remind him of prevailing winds and how this stuff can follow wind currents. That ought to convert him. Those Gulf prevailing winds cover most of Texas and Oklahoma, and even in the country it can affect you.

You know whats really funny? Today I am writing a trainig session for my troops on Homeland Security and FReeping too..LOL You guys have given me a lot of ammo to send to the troopies in case we need to respond. We have our drill this weekend.

I have been a proponent of using the FRS/GMRS radios to locate survivors in case of a catastrophic attack. In the case of a disaster, I would have troops monitoring the frequencies to see if any calls for help were recieved. with their easy affordability and range, they would be a great help in locating disaster victims, especially when the telephone and cellular circuits are down after an attack. They have a 27 hour life with AA batteries, so they could be a long term help.

[judicial meanz]

Ditto on the weapon.Looters dont let a little thing like Chem/Bio weapons stop them. They can survive like roaches.

[Snowy]

bump

[Tamzee]

We will, thanks :-)

That's a great point you all have about looters.... I hadn't even thought about that aspect.

[happymom]

I'm wondering the same thing. Also, they say to go to an interior room with no windows. In our house, the only room without a window is the hall bathroom, which is hardly big enough for 6 people for any amount of time. Will the duct tape and plastic sheeting actually give any protection?