Speaking at a campaign stop Florida congressman Allen West railed against the Obamacare mandate and the court decision that upheld it by deeming it a tax.

“Well, I got a great idea: I believe for personal security, every American should have to go out and buy a Glock 9mm. And if you don’t do it, we’ll tax you. Now, I wonder how the liberals will feel about that one.”
h/t breitbart.com

A home surrounded by the waters of the Fraser River is protected by a homemade dam. ANDY CLARK/REUTERS

So what would you do if disaster struck your home or your town? Would you be ready to wait out the flood waters or deal with the kinds of power outages now plaguing parts of the eastern United States?

Public Safety Canada and the Red Cross both recommend having an emergency plan that can help you survive up to 72 hours. It’s pretty simple and highly recommended.

Here are the basic supplies for an emergency kit that you can put together yourself.

Water – Two litres of water per person per day (Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order)

Food – Food that won’t spoil, such as canned meats and vegetables, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year)

Manual can opener

Flashlight and batteries Battery-powered or wind-up radio

Extra batteries

First aid kit

Special needs items – Prescription medications, infant formula or equipment for people with disabilities

Extra keys for your car and house

Cash – Include smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones

Emergency plan – Include a copy of it and ensure it contains in-town and out-of-town contact information

You can find out more, including elements for an advanced kit here. You can also buy ready-made emergency kits that fit your family size.