Home Emergency Preparedness
2026!! Is the year to discover tips and tricks for improving your preparedness lifestyle. It's never to late to prepare!
After the Shaking Stopped
Story:
The earthquake hit just after 7 a.m., shaking the walls of the Holloway family's small home in downtown Ridgecrest. Pictures fell. Plates shattered. Lily, just nine, huddled under the kitchen table with her parents until the shaking finally stopped.
They had practiced this.
Once the tremors ceased, Mom grabbed the emergency backpack. Dad checked for gas leaks and damage. Lily, her hands still shaking, found her own red pack in the hallway closet—the one she had packed during the last family drill. She held it tightly as they stepped over cracks in the sidewalk, joining neighbors making their way toward the local emergency shelter set up at Ridgecrest Elementary.
The shelter was busy—cots lined the gym, volunteers passed out water bottles, and murmurs of aftershocks filled the air. Parents talked in low voices. Some people were crying. Kids sat quietly beside their families, faces pale and eyes wide.
Lily unzipped her backpack and found what she had tucked into the front pouch: her small Flexi Dino—a 3D-printed, poseable dinosaur toy she never went anywhere without. She popped its tail into place, clicked its legs into a crouch, and began walking it along the fold of her blanket like it was stalking through a jungle.
A little boy nearby watched with curiosity. Lily held it out. “Wanna try?”
He nodded slowly, and for the first time that morning, he smiled.
Within minutes, the corner of the gym where they sat felt different—lighter somehow. The kids were comparing dinosaur roars, taking turns posing the toy in goofy ways. Lily’s mom noticed other parents watching with grateful eyes.
Why it Matters:
That tiny toy helped:
- Break the tension in a stressful, unfamiliar space
- Give kids a way to focus, play, and feel normal again
- Start a quiet moment of connection among strangers
- Empower Lily with a sense of responsibility and calm
Moral of the Story:
After an earthquake, having a small, silent toy like a poseable figure in a bugout bag or emergency kit isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about giving a child comfort, stability, and something they can control in the middle of chaos.
Where can I get a toy like this!
Learn about some light weight toy options for a girl or a boy. Visit https://www.flexifriends3d.com they are Utah county local and have great options.
About Shelter the Storm
Our Story
Shelter the Storm was created to help family and friends prepare for lifes little storms, with general info, tips and ideas.
Our Mission
At Shelter the Storm, our mission is to provide valuable information and resources to help people prepare for uncertain times. Whether it's through sharing healthy recipes, food, water, power or financial. No tinfoil hats here or fear mongering. Just common sense!