Link dated today <:)=

COLUMBUS  State leaders are advising Ohioans not to wait until December to prepare for potential power outages or food shortages caused by the Y2K computer problem.

While Gov. Bob Taft stressed that major problems related to the glitch are unlikely, he oversaw a drill Thursday in which disaster officials responded to a variety of simulated problems, such as a loss of power or telephone service.

State government has com pleted more than 90 percent of the work required to prevent its computers from crashing when the new year begins, Mr. Taft said. But he wants to make sure disaster officials are ready in case something goes wrong.

We are leaving no stone unturned as we transition into the new year, Mr. Taft told reporters gathered at the state's emergency command post on the north side of Columbus. The state will be prepared to respond to any emergencies that may come about.

Governments, banks and businesses have been scrambling to fix potential Y2K prob lems. Some experts think older computers that read only the last two digits of the year could mistake the year 2000, or 00, as 1900, wreaking havoc once the clock strikes midnight on Dec.31.

Surrounded by banks of telephones, two-way radios, computers and giant TV screens at the command post  a huge room reminiscent of NASA's space mission control center  officials from several state agencies tested how they would respond to Y2K emergencies.

They were told a virus had paralyzed a major state computer system, 3 feet of snow cov ered Northeast Ohio and scores of traffic lights had gone dark in Akron.

As they started ordering computer experts, the police and National Guard to respond, the phone lines went dead, forcing them to call for help with two-way radios and cellular telephones.

In another scenario, disaster officials responded to reports of a small plane crashing into a power plant after its guidance system failed. A few minutes later, corrections officials ordered armed guards to surround a prison where electronic motion sensors had failed.

None of those calamities actually happened. State officials said their biggest fear is that citizens will panic and overreact just before the new year begins.

Hardware stores already report a increase in sales of portable generators and kerosene stoves. But Alan Schriber, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, said he is confident the state's power companies will be ready.

What I really worry about is a squirrel biting through a power line or a blizzard knocking out power, causing some people to fear it's being caused by Y2K, Mr. Schriber said.

A USA Today/National Science Foundation poll last month found that few Americans expect major problems due to Y2K computer glitches.

Only 7 percent of the 1,014 adults surveyed by the Gallup Organization expected their personal lives to be disrupted in a major way. Forty percent expected no problems at all.

Despite assurances from Mr. Taft and other officials, the state has created an Internet site (www.oy2k.state.oh.us) that advises citizens to prepare as if a major blizzard or ice storm was approaching.

The site suggests that Ohioans should start the new year with five days worth of food on hand and a three-day supply of water (a gallon per day for each family member). They also should fill up their cars, have extra cash on hand and collect paper copies of important records before Dec. 31.

Gather your supplies gradually. Start early! the Web site advises. Don't wait until November or December 1999 to purchase extra items. Last-minute purchasing can cause shortages.

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), October 08, 1999

Answers

Just a few comments in this newspaper story.

Once again, we have the 3 days of water, but more (not much) food. Can someone please explain this to me? Water is very important and virtually free. Why only 3 days?

I just love the end: "Gather your supplies gradually." Only 5 days worth of food, but do it gradually? What does that mean, but 1 can of Dinty Moore a week? Don't people shop for a week or two at a time any more?

And we have the squirrel factor again, but this time, "biting through a power line"???

I need a drink, and not soft...

Tick... Tock... <:00=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), October 08, 1999.

;-D

What I really worry about is a squirrel biting through a power line or a blizzard knocking out power, causing some people to fear it's being caused by Y2K...

No. What they "really" worry about is... prepared people. Or else unexpected panic, that they can't control, by the unprepared ones.

Bureaucratic idiots!

*Sigh*

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 08, 1999.

Prepare early? At day 800 we could prepare early. At day 500 we could prepare early. By day 300 we were not early, though we could still be prudent. Day 100 was too late to be early. We now have 2000 HOURS to go, at day 84. Sorry, it's way too late to be "early".

It's time to prepare for secondary sources, because the next wave will be the panic. First buy everything in stores, fast as you can. That will force the grocer to order more, and pump more food into your community. Second, find the farmers you can buy from direct. Third, find the feed-and-seed stores and price the rolled oats and such. Fourth, buy seeds and gardening implements.

But most important, until the panic hits, buy from grocers as fast as you can. Your best community asset, for the time being, is a grocer who's working as hard as he can. You want his pipeline to be running full speed, and the only way to do that is to BUY HIS FOOD.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), October 08, 1999.

Want to save money on your preps? So do I. Click here and check out the COOP BUYING thread.

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Got 14 days of preps? If not, get started now. Click here.

Click here and check out the TB2000 preparation forum.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 08, 1999.

Following the above link to the State of Ohio Y2K page:

The actual quote is to have a minimum of three days of bottled water - no mention of a max. Plus one week of extra food stored above and beyond normal winter levels - somewhere I saw one assumption stating the average winter home has about 10 days of food on hand so one could interpret Ohio Y2K to recommend 17 days of stock.

The Ohio Y2K site also recommends 30-60 days of Rx meds on hand prior to December 31.

I have met the Ohio Emergency Management people that prepared this site and believe they are sincerely trying to provide adequate and appropriate information.

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), October 08, 1999.

Has the governor called the police chief in Hudson, Ohio for his opinion??? Does he need the number or url???

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), October 08, 1999.