We’ve all watched the horrific images from Japan in the wake of that nation’s earthquake and tsunami destruction.

We’ve heard the warnings to prepare here for what could be a devastating earthquake. Many of us have taken the advice seriously, prepared our box of recommended supplies and stored it in our garage or somewhere near an exit.

Each of us has to consider what our own situation might be, in different times of day, not necessarily at home. About the only time it could happen when we would all be in similar surroundings would be if disaster hit in the middle of the night. We’ve heard about the shoes and flashlight by the bed.

If you haven’t already done this, it might be helpful to ask questions and prepare answers unique to your own lives. Start with these worst case scenarios:

The devastation is terrible, you are able to finally make it out of your collapsed house after the shaking stops. Where are your car keys? If your car is in the garage, but the garage has caved in, what do you do? If your “box” is in there, will you be able to access it? If your car is still available in the garage, but your power is off and you have electronic garage doors, can you get the car out? How much gas is in your car if gas stations are affected and inoperable?

If all you have left and usable is your car, have you put supplies in the trunk? At least a blanket, water, some food for each person you’re responsible for?

What if you need prescription medication? Were you able to bring it as you fled your house? What if no pharmacies or doctors are available to you? What about money or credit cards and identification? If there’s no phone service? Or if you are stranded away from home for a few days? Imagine roads are blocked by debris, bridges are out, and you have no choice but to stay in your car. If you have a cell phone, is it charged? Do you have a charger in your car? Do you have phone numbers of all the people you want to contact? If you need to walk a distance, do you have shoes in the car that will take you there — not heels or flip-flops that might not be great for those circumstances?

Think of every situation you might be in, from being at work, in a store, at a concert, driving or doing a wash in the basement. Mentally walk yourself through those situations, trying to make decisions now that will help you survive.

The city is offering an emergency preparation meeting on planning for survival at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at City Hall. We don’t know when The Big One will happen. We can’t choose where we’ll be. But we can all learn to be as ready as possible.