Three mushroom clouds ascended on the horizon, accompanied by an orange fiery glow. Nuclear bombs had completely demolished the once thriving military bases throughout Florida. Suddenly another flash...boom! The power was out, not to be restored for years to come, the town was now isolated from the modern world.

In this mind boggling and most thrilling novel, Alas Babylon, by Pat Frank, is found a story which could possibly have become a reality during the cold war. It brings the reader to reflect upon other possible hazards and catastrophes to which they are exposed. While reading the book many have asked themselves the nagging question, "Am I Prepared?"

In the United States there are numerous disasters waiting to unfold. Earthquakes, fires, tsunamis, subzero temperatures, triple digit temperatures and volcanoes are the few natural disasters that come to our immediate attention. In addition unemployment, the loss of power or personal injury can take us by surprise. Currently the pandemic Bird Flu is a major issue. Do you feel prepared? Could you survive a disaster?

The time to prepare is now. For years public leaders have wisely advised all to pay off their debts, set away money for an emergency and store a 1 year food supply for yourself and your family. Government officials have encouraged, 72 hour kits, smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and fire escape plans. Their counsel is extremely prudent and important to follow, because nobody is exempt from disaster.

Each year throughout the United States an average estimate of 3,700 people die and another 20,000 people are injured due to fires. Four out of five of these deaths are in result of fires in the home. The most common place a fire starts within the home, is in the kitchen. And not surprisingly, 85% of all fatalities caused by household fires were in result of poor planning and the absence of fire detectors in the home.

In Washington, Mt. St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980 at around 8:32 a.m. The eruption not only coughed up sheets of boiling lava, but effected the entire landscape and the inhabitants living as far as 75 miles away because of the driving land and mud slides ensuing the event. In just a meager 3 minutes the initial blast had flattened 230 square miles of forest. The immense power of volcanoes is mind boggling. Volcanoes not only litter the country with ash fallout, but they pollute the air and can severely damaged planes and engines. In this kind of situation

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