#42 Why We Don't Prepare

#45 The Texas Hill Country Flood

This week, Leigh and producer Christy reflect on the devastating floods that struck Texas Hill Country over the July 4th weekend—and what we can all learn from this tragedy. We discuss how to be 38% prepared for disasters like flash floods, which are the deadliest weather event in the United States. For more flood safety tips, check out Episode 5: “Hello Spring, Flood Me Not,” where we share why flash floods are the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. What You'll Learn: * How to assess your flood risk (even if you don’t live near water). * The top alerts, apps, and tools you need to stay informed. * How to build a go-bag and plan evacuation routes. * Why “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” could save your life. #38PercentPrepared #FloodSafety #TexasFloods #DisasterPreparedness #TurnAroundDontDrown #EmergencyPreparedness #WeatherSafety #FamilySafety #StayPrepared #FlashFloodAwareness #PodcastEpisode #ListenAndLearn

#44 What Really Happens After A Disaster Strikes - Part 3

Part 3 of "What Really Happens" series: SBA Loans & Long-Term Recovery Groups! After a disaster, getting back on your feet takes more than just clean-up, In Part 3 of "What Really Happens" series-38% Prepared, Angie & Leigh walk you through the next phase of recovery — including FEMA's lesser-known programs and how the Small Business Administration (SBA) steps in (hint: it’s not just for businesses!). 📝 Because thinking is the first step of preparedness. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. #DisasterRecovery #SBA #FEMAHelp #PreparednessPodcast #38PercentPrepared #EmergencySupport #BeReady #AfterTheStorm #ThinkToPrepare #38percentprepared #38pctprepared #38percentpreparedpodcast 🎯 What you’ll learn: * What You'll Learn: * The difference between Other Needs Assistance (ONA) and Temporary Housing Assistance * What ONA covers beyond property damage (like medical costs and funeral expenses) * How Temporary Housing programs work — from rental aid to hotel coverage * What FEMA’s Home Repair Assistance includes (including accessibility and mold remediation) * Why not all disasters qualify for FEMA help * The importance of the “no duplication of benefits” rule Key Programs Covered: * * ONA: Personal property, vehicle, medical/dental, funeral, childcare, tools, and more * * Temporary Housing: Rent assistance, hotel stays, trailers, and utility support * Home Repair Assistance: Structural repairs, accessibility updates, plumbing/electrical fixesWhether you’re a renter, homeowner, or business owner — this episode has something for you. Reminders: * Only available after a federal disaster declaration * You must meet residency and citizenship criteria * Keep documentation for every expense * Don’t assume you’re ineligible — apply early!

#43 What Really Happens After A Disaster Strikes Part 2: Understanding Other Needs Assistance & Temporary Housing

In this continuation of the 38% Prepared Podcast series on disaster recovery, hosts Angie and Leigh discuss  FEMA's individual assistance programs that become available after a federally declared disaster. What You'll Learn: * The difference between Other Needs Assistance (ONA) and Temporary Housing Assistance * What ONA covers beyond property damage (like medical costs and funeral expenses) * How Temporary Housing programs work — from rental aid to hotel coverage * What FEMA’s Home Repair Assistance includes (including accessibility and mold remediation) * Why not all disasters qualify for FEMA help * The importance of the “no duplication of benefits” rule Key Programs Covered: * ONA: Personal property, vehicle, medical/dental, funeral, childcare, tools, and more * Temporary Housing: Rent assistance, hotel stays, trailers, and utility support * Home Repair Assistance: Structural repairs, accessibility updates, plumbing/electrical fixes ImportantReminders: * FEMA assistance is only for federally declared disasters * You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien * Primary residence requirement applies * Apply as soon as possible - don't self-determine eligibility * Keep all documentation and receipts Remember: The first step in preparedness is thinking - and taking notes!

#42 Why We Don't Prepare

🎙️ Why We Don’t Prepare for Disasters Episode Summary Why do we delay emergency prep—even when we know better? In this episode, our host Leigh, Angie, and producer Christy unpack the hidden psychological biases that hold us back, like normalcy bias and short-term thinking. You’ll learn simple, practical ways to shift your mindset and take action—because thinking is the first step of preparedness. 🎧 Keep the Conversation GoingListen to more episodes of 38% Prepared and make preparedness feel like a normal part of life—not something to dread. Understanding why we don’t prepare is the first step to doing it better. ⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/38percentprepared.podcast/] ⁠Listen on Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/3c8CxVgETSN9JjXPiv9zhu?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadsqkO2bTl6Nbf6c1FpqkL0pH00zw55arFcpLwRZfVS01nejDZXrzSfjZY7fg_aem_XbPcsSmVKvk9R73stqYw1w] ⁠Listen to us on Apple Podcast⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/38-prepared/id1671455977] #disasterpreparedness #emergencypreparedness #beready #planahead #whywewait #38percentprepared #38pctprepared #decisionlab #preventionweb #ostrichparadox 🧠 What You’ll Learn 1. Normalcy Bias – “It Won’t Happen Here” * Why about 80% of people underestimate the threat—even when danger is close * How our brains cling to “business as usual,” even during hurricanes or wildfires * Real stories of how this bias plays out in emergencies ✅ Try this: Watch realistic disaster scenarios or join a local drill to gently challenge your assumptions 2. Optimism Bias – “It Won’t Happen to Me” * The sneaky belief that bad things happen to others, not us * Why we often prep for big disasters but overlook everyday emergencies like house fires ✅ Try this: Rely on facts, not feelings—and reframe preparedness as a loving investment in your future self 3. Myopia – “I’ll Do It Later” * Why it’s hard to spend time and money today for a “maybe” tomorrow * How this bias is hardwired into our brains (hello, marshmallow experiment!) ✅ Try this: Break it down! Start small, and find prep steps that benefit you now and later 💬 Notable Quotes “Thinking is the first step of preparedness.” “These biases aren’t character flaws—they’re how our brains are wired.” “Preparedness is about being honest: emergencies will happen. You can handle them better if you're ready.” 📚 Credits and Further Reading Here are some of the resources we used in this episode: * The Decision Lab – Normalcy Bias [https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/normalcy-bias] * PreventionWeb – Why People Don’t Prepare for Disasters [https://www.preventionweb.net/news/usa-it-wont-happen-me-why-people-dont-prepare-disasters] * The Ostrich Paradox by Meyer & Kunreuther (Wharton School Press) [https://esg.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ostrich-Paradox-issue-brief.pdf]

#41 Our Take on Netflix’s Joplin Tornado Documentary

🌪️ May 22 marks 14 years since the EF5 tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri. In our latest episode, we unpack the Netflix doc The Twister: Caught in the Storm—and what it teaches us about being prepared when disaster strikes. What’s Inside: * A Harrowing Look: How the film captures the raw, personal stories of teens and young adults who had just celebrated graduation before the storm hit. * Ignored Warnings: Why many Joplin residents didn’t respond to sirens—and what we can learn from that. * Unfiltered Reality: The documentary’s use of real-time, first-hand footage from phones and cameras. * Stories of Survival: Memorable accounts from people like Mac, Kaylee, Eric, Cecil, Steven, and Chad. * Emotional Aftermath: How the tornado affected survivors mentally and emotionally for years to come. * Preparedness Tips: What this disaster teaches us about being ready, even when away from home. * A Community Rebuilt: How Joplin pulled together to recover and rebuild. Joplin Tornado Snapshot: * EF5 tornado with winds over 200 mph * Over a mile wide * 158 lives lost, 1,000+ injured * 7,500+ buildings destroyed * Among the costliest tornadoes in U.S. history 📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode * 📺 The Twister: Caught in the Storm — now streaming on Netflix * 🌪️ Skywarn — National Weather Service’s volunteer program for storm spotting and weather education (weather.gov/skywarn) * 📱 Weather Tools — Radar apps and YouTube storm trackers for real-time severe weather updates (e.g., RadarScope, MyRadar, Ryan Hall Y’all, Reed Timmer)