Q: I can’t believe what we’ve been through in the last month.

A water line broke under the bathroom and flooded the crawl space, we got some kind of mold growing in our living room from something wrong with the roof, and a big tree branch fell on our storage shed and ruined it. Somebody should be warning people about this stuff! We didn’t have a clue that this could happen. How are we supposed to know how to get prepared?

A: I feel badly for all that you’ve been through but I have to say that there were many opportunities for you to become prepared. The Beachcomber carried detailed preparation guidelines from Vashon Be Prepared, an organization that helps Islanders get ready for disaster. I always make sure to put out a detailed list in this column every Autumn with instructions to insulate pipes, clean gutters, etc. There are also many resources on line to help you prepare.

Winter isn’t over yet so here’s what I’d do now. Be sure the plumbing repairs are made and that pipes are insulated. Even after doing that you might want to run the water just a bit in all the bathrooms and kitchen during weather that’s well below freezing.

Clean out gutters and keep them clean. If you can’t do this yourself find a good handyman who can (contact us for a referral if needed). Have a roofer take a look at the roof and make necessary repairs. Often, if the flashing isn’t done well, water from overflowing gutters will seep under the roofing and rot the plywood decking. That can cause mold to grow fast.

I am a real tree hugger and probably have some trees in my yard that could cause damage. However, I am willing to risk it as long as they are healthy. If there are unhealthy or dangerous trees around your yard you should consult an arborist to see if they should be thinned or taken down. The fire marshal recommends a 30 foot buffer, free of trees, around all buildings. Good luck with the next storm. We all have to be prepared.