Dorian

[wgeo]

True. That was a bit of a sweeping generalization. I live in a pretty well off area so it's easy for me to snicker at my locals.

But that why I advise prepping way before hurricane season even starts.

2 cans of something every trip to the grocery store. Or a few batteries. A few bottles of water. Boards for the windows can be tough. But little tiny things like that can go far. Generators are nice but not really necessary in every case. And if you have a car, get an inverter and you now have a generator.

I totally agree - the vast majority of my hurricane supplies (now that I went through Irma) I almost always have on hand. There is very little last minute that I would want/need to get. But then again, I do certainly have the funds to have and store extra things that don't get used much - so that does really help. I did not have shutters or a generator prior to Irma and I have both those things now and feel like they were wise investments.

 

[LSUmiss]

There's 2 groups there that I try to keep in mind. The one group that has every ability to prepare but chooses to ignore it. That group sees it as a game.

The other group I saw first hand with Irma and that's the group that simply cannot afford to prepare in meaningful ways. We thought Irma was coming our way early in the week and I was done prepping by Mon/Tues. The stores were decimated by Thursday. On Friday when everyone who lives near the poverty line got paid for the week and was finally able to go buy the extra things needed, there simply was nothing left to get. Because we were concerned about a direct hit I had more supplies then I will for this time around, but I was quite surprised how much extra money went into getting ready.

I can afford it & don’t wait til the actual last minute, but I don’t start preparing til a few days before either. For one I don’t want to store all that crap & have it go to waste if we don’t use it. But, most importantly, for us, it greatly depends on the strength of the storm & the forecasted track whether or not we will stay. Perhaps if you live in an area where you will stay not matter what it’s different. But, I have to watch closely to decide if I need to go to the grocery or starting packing a book a hotel or call a friend. These days a strong Cat 1 & I think we are out at least to the friends house 70 miles north of me. Strong 2 or higher & we are out.

 

[Searc]

Is it wrong I get entertainment value out of watching the unprepared scramble when hurricanes come around?

I'm somewhat of a "prepper" to begin with so I always have a lot of emergency foods, water, first aid, etc.

But it makes me nuts to see people scrambling last minute to get all of their supplies a day before trouble arrives.

There are a lot of people who simply can't afford it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I can afford it & don’t wait til the actual last minute, but I don’t start preparing til a few days before either. For one I don’t want to store all that crap & have it go to waste if we don’t use it. But, most importantly, for us, it greatly depends on the strength of the storm & the forecasted track whether or not we will stay. Perhaps if you live in an area where you will stay not matter what it’s different. But, I have to watch closely to decide if I need to go to the grocery or starting packing a book a hotel or call a friend. These days a strong Cat 1 & I think we are out at least to the friends house 70 miles north of me. Strong 2 or higher & we are out.

This is us. We live too close to the ocean to not evacuate for hurricanes. Our preparation is mostly deciding whether or not we need to book a hotel (if so, where at) & pack our clothes & sentimental items that are irreplacable. That is never an easy decision, because you can't really depend on the NHC to get it right, until the last minute. DH also has to secure everything around the house & puts the shutters down, but that doesn't take long.

On a side note, DH said some of his employees are being sent north on Friday to aide the power crew. Those of us in South Florida had better hope they figure out exactly where the storm is going, before then. It would be bad, if they sent the power crews north, then the storm hit here.

 

[LSUmiss]

This is us. We live too close to the ocean to not evacuate for hurricanes. Our preparation is mostly deciding whether or not we need to book a hotel (if so, where at) & pack our clothes & sentimental items that are irreplacable. That is never an easy decision, because you can't really depend on the NHC to get it right, until the last minute. DH also has to secure everything around the house & puts the shutters down, but that doesn't take long.

On a side note, DH said some of his employees are being sent north on Friday to aide the power crew. Those of us in South Florida had better hope they figure out exactly where the storm is going, before then. It would be bad, if they sent the power crews north, then the storm hit here.

Exactly! And then loading up all that you mentioned plus 2 dogs & a toddler ugh! We were planning a wdw trip the weekend Barry came so we just left a day earlier. But since it wasn’t supposed to be bad, we just boarded the dogs as planned. I really hope I can avoid that whole fiasco this yr. The older DS gets the easier evac will be when the time comes.

 

[ljcrochet]

I live in southern florida. We just (they finished installing yesterday) put in impact windows and doors. Waiting on the town to inspect on friday and then the company to install the molding to cover the screws. I'm hoping it gets done on Friday.

I think we are going to pack an emergency go bag to have at all times with copies of our important papers and a change of clothing for everyone. I'm probably going to go to costco tomorrow and get gas for my car and maybe some more can goods just to have on hand.

Crap just realized we don't have a lighter in case we want to light candles. (my daughter is doing HW and went to burn the side of her paper to make it looked aged)

 

[RamblingMad]

Heading out west.

This is only beginning.

 

[scrhsa]

I know nothing of this storm but what I've read here so far. I have no tv and rarely check any kind of news. I'm on the Gulf Coast of Texas and shame on me! I really should be more aware this time of year. But, I am very thankful that in just a couple of weeks I will be moving inland. No more having to worry about buggin' out with my dog and three cats and no where to go!!! I will definitely miss living on the coast( I have my whole life) but what a relief to have hurricane season pass me by in the future. But all kinds of prayers will be said for everyone who has to live with it. (I'm really having to give myself a pep talk on moving, so no shade thrown at coastal residents )

 

[Searc]

I know nothing of this storm but what I've read here so far. I have no tv and rarely check any kind of news. I'm on the Gulf Coast of Texas and shame on me! I really should be more aware this time of year. But, I am very thankful that in just a couple of weeks I will be moving inland. No more having to worry about buggin' out with my dog and three cats and no where to go!!! I will definitely miss living on the coast( I have my whole life) but what a relief to have hurricane season pass me by in the future. But all kinds of prayers will be said for everyone who has to live with it. (I'm really having to give myself a pep talk on moving, so no shade thrown at coastal residents )

I heard it mentioned that if stays together enough, it may move out into the Gulf, redevelop and make a 2nd landfall somewhere along the Gulf.

 

[scrhsa]

I heard it mentioned that if stays together enough, it may move out into the Gulf, redevelop and make a 2nd landfall somewhere along the Gulf.

Dang, guess I better hit the weather channel!!

 

[fla4fun]

I have my supplies in, but after riding out Irma, it’s taking every bit of willpower not to just get in the car and run. The eye of Irma went right over us, in the middle of the night, and the sound was horrific. I think some of the noise was trees in the neighborhood coming down. I am a nervous wreck. I am also scheduled to work this weekend and Monday, and so far, they haven’t closed down. I probably won’t know until Sunday if I have to go in Monday. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up when it’s November!

I stopped at the grocery to pick up my regular weekly shopping and it was utter chaos. No bread, peanut butter, or other staples left. There was plenty of water, but people were buying two and three cartloads of water, so it will run out soon.

I had originally booked a trip to WDW the 10th through the 24th of September and rescheduled it for August. But I haven’t yet canceled the September booking. I still have time and I might need a place to stay. . .

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have my supplies in, but after riding out Irma, it’s taking every bit of willpower not to just get in the car and run. The eye of Irma went right over us, in the middle of the night, and the sound was horrific. I think some of the noise was trees in the neighborhood coming down. I am a nervous wreck. I am also scheduled to work this weekend and Monday, and so far, they haven’t closed down. I probably won’t know until Sunday if I have to go in Monday. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up when it’s November!

I stopped at the grocery to pick up my regular weekly shopping and it was utter chaos. No bread, peanut butter, or other staples left. There was plenty of water, but people were buying two and three cartloads of water, so it will run out soon.

I had originally booked a trip to WDW the 10th through the 24th of September and rescheduled it for August. But I haven’t yet canceled the September booking. I still have time and I might need a place to stay. . .

I'm sure that was terrifying. We evacuated for Irma. We were thrilled, when we returned home 5 days later & saw our home wasn't damaged. Many in our neighborhood were. It was still a nightmare. We came home to no electricity. Flashlights & candles don't solve the problem of your home feeling like an oven with no AC. Since we evacuated, we hadn't stocked up on food. There was nothing at the grocery stores. Fresh meats & frozen food had been discarded. Everything else was sold long before we got there. They basically had alcohol & non-food items. The restaurants that were open didn't even bother with a menu. They just told you the few things they had. We were thankful they had anything. The KFC by our house was open, but only selling drinks. They scored points with us for opening to fulfill a need. Many of us were desperate for a cold drink. If I hadn't witnessed it, I never would have believed it could happen in our touristy, beach town with a plethora of restaurants & grocery stores.

If we evacuate again, we will plan to stay away for a week at a minimum. I don't want to ever come back to the situation we faced, after Irma. Fortunately, since Irma, DH had changed jobs. His new company has a power division, so we'll be better informed on what is going on at home.

 

[John VN]

DANG!!!! Just heard there was a Jim Cantore sighting in our area.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

DANG!!!! Just heard there was a Jim Cantore sighting in our area.

I don't know where you live, but I wouldn't worry about that. As someone who lives in South Florida & watches the Weather Channel religiously in hurricane season, I can say it's been a few years, since Jim Cantore put himself in danger. At one time, I would have been worried about him showing up in my area. Now, I see that as a good sign.

 

[LSUmiss]

I heard it mentioned that if stays together enough, it may move out into the Gulf, redevelop and make a 2nd landfall somewhere along the Gulf.

That’s what I’m worried about too...Katrina

 

[Searc]

I don't know where you live, but I wouldn't worry about that. As someone who lives in South Florida & watches the Weather Channel religiously in hurricane season, I can say it's been a few years, since Jim Cantore put himself in danger. At one time, I would have been worried about him showing up in my area. Now, I see that as a good sign.

You need to be worried if you see Mike Seidel. lol

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You need to be worried if you see Mike Seidel. lol

Exactly! I hope they'll let us know in advance, if he's coming here.

 

[Oozma_Kappa]

Can i have my groceries delivered Friday instead of my arrival time? I will land Saturday at 1:20pm and am headed to CCV.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

No

DANG!!!! Just heard there was a Jim Cantore sighting in our area.

Not good. Hurricanes seem to be attracted to Cantore.

 

[wgeo]

The overnight model runs are so different from each other - the EURO is set on it being south Florida and the GFS is set on far north Florida. I'm guessing, that means another day of uncertainty before they decide who to tell to evacuate, what a mess.

We rode out Irma and 3/4 of our city lost power but we didn't. Feel like we got lucky with that one.