How do you prepare for a hurricane?

[tiggerlover]

With all this talk of TS Gaston and Hurricane Frances, I wondered how those of you who live in areas that get these warnings and storms prepare.

I just moved to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago and we felt the effects of Charley and with these other two storms coming I am realizing that a hurricane hitting this area is something I should prepare for, I just need to know how to do that. Any tips or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Bumping this for you as in Indiana we do not have to worry about hurricanes. But family in Florida found a small battery operated radio, flashlights, bottled water and LOTS of batteries invaluable when Charlie came to vist. Some other things you might want to have on hand are canned goods, a manual can opener, diaper wipes, antibacterial gel and toliet paper. Those are just a few I can think of!! Stay safe!!!

Liz

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few good sites here, TL..............

Hurr prep

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
A few good sites here, TL..............

Hurr prep

Wow, Dan! You're not kidding! 220,000 of them! Thanks!!

 

[luvdisney81]

As an island girl. First never panic, anything less than a strong Category 3 you can make it. If your in a decent home ie: not a trailer.

Water is the most important, save the ice cream tubs and milk jugs, canned food and candles. Flashlights are ok but they cost money, use to many batteries and candles are a source of heat so you can use them for cooking or heating things up. Plus if you do lose power, you won't have anything to do anyways so you fall asleep quicker and wake up with the daylight.

Buy plywood now, cut it to each window and label it so it will go up quick when you need it. Good thing to keep around the house and you can get the cheap stuff.

Get to know your neighbors, you will need each other.

Just take note one day of all the things you use in a day, and make a list of things you really need that you can stock up now on. Things you may not realize you do need like newspaper for litter boxes, cat litter, rope, tarp, clean undeware because you may not be able to wash them for awhile.

Otherwise just sit back and play a good board game with your family

 

[tiggerlover]

Thank you. It is always good to be prepared.

 

[legs22]

Originally posted by luvdisney81

Flashlights are ok but they cost money, use to many batteries and candles are a source of heat so you can use them for cooking or heating things up.

8/12/04

CPSC Warns of Post-Storm Hazards from Generators, Candles, and Wet Appliances

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns of dangers from generators, candles, and wet appliances after a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or flood knocks out electricity. The Commission offers these safety tips:

"Exercise caution when using candles. Use flashlights instead.

If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from drafts. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when you leave the room."

And the next paragraph about generators. After Charley they had a big problem with people dying or almost dying from improper use of generators.

"Never use a generator indoors, including garages, basements, and crawlspaces, even with ventilation. Exhaust fumes contain high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) which can be deadly if inhaled. Use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors. Never store gasoline in the home or near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage where gasoline fumes could be ignited. CPSC has more details about safe use of generators at: www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/portgen.pdf "

 

[aero99]

Hi!

I also live in Hampton Roads and had to deal with Hurricane Isabel 4 days after getting back from our honeymoon. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I can tell you this, if it is ever predicted again that we are going to get hit directly and the hurricane is category 2 or higher, I am leaving town. Isabel, who wasn't even a hurricane when it hit us last year, devistated this area. We just have two many trees that brought down power (in some places upto 2 weeks, for most 1 week), hit houses, and made travel next to impossible. Flooding also destroyed a lot of houses (especially in Poq. but then again the town floods if someone sneezes.. )

Here are my suggestions if you decided to stay in HR during a hurricane:

1) get a generator and at least 20 gallons of gas (trust me on the gas, my husband and I had to wait in long lines after isabel)

2) Fill-up any jug you have with water before the hurricane hits. If you want, go and buy water although it will be a struggle with everyone else trying to get some.

3) BUY D BATTERIES NOW!! If your flashlights or emergency radio (get one if you don't have one) work on d batteries, keep them in stock now. I could not find d batteries 3-days before Isabel to about 1 week after!

4) If you don't get a generator, turn you freezer to high 2 days before the storm. If you don't open the freezer, your food can last several days without power (the tv stations will tell you how longs since I think it depends on the outside temps & humidity). Also fill-up your propane tank if you have a grill so you can cook some food.

If you want to check to see if your area is likely to flood check out http://www.hremc.org/surge.htm

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me!

Melissa

 

[loisg1]

We use camp lanterns that are battery powered. They tend to light up the room more. A camp stove that runs on little bottles of gas. Plenty of water!! Food that doesn't require refrigeration that can be made easily. Don't forget munchies... comfort food. Fill up your vehicles with gas. We had a generator wired for our house because we have a sump pump in our basement. Luckily we have not had to use it. Paper plates, cups, and plasticware.

Good luck, Debbi,

 

[stormi65]

I would suggest a buying a chain saw and also large tarps if you need to cover a hole in a roof.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks for all the added information. With Hurricane Frances headed towards the US I thought I would bump this back to page one.

 

[aprincessmom]

Growing up on the shore we always had a hurricane kit available. It included lots of water, food that required no refrigeration, plenty of propane for the gas grill to cook or to boil water (if we needed from the lake across the street), flashlights and battery operated camp lights, paper goods (napkins, plates, cups, toilet paper, etc.), a small first aid kit (just in case and it was right there so we didn't have to search in the dark), and lots and lots of batteries.

Try to avoid candles...they are can be very dangerous. Flashlights and camping lanterns that run on batteries will be safer and easier to use.

Begin using up the food in your fridge and freezer. If the power goes and is out for an extended time it will all spoil anyway. Use up as much as you can now and don't replenish until after the hurricane danger has passed.

Begin storing up water. Use old soda and water bottles and jugs, fill your tub, pots and pans. You'll be happy you did.

I would also add that you should fill your car with gas and maybe even a small gas container (like you'd use to fill your lawn mower) as well as a good supply of cash. When the power goes, you can't get gas or money.

 

[HappyMommy2]

You've gotten some great tips but I will just reiterate two things that have stood out to me in my two recent hurricane experiences (Isabel in Virginia and Charley in Orlando)--FILL YOUR CAR(s) UP WITH GAS (several days after Isabel, finding gas was still a nightmare; for quite a while even if you did find a working gas pump you could only get a limited about, say $10 worth. I was glad I had filled up to the brim beforehand).
Also BUY LOTS OF BATTERIES, many more than you think you might need, and LOTS OF FLASHLIGHTS, preferably some that use AA batteries rather than C or D--somehow I was able to find AA batteries when the C and D were sold out everywhere. A couple of days after Isabel I was at our neighborhood store when a small shipment of batteries arrived. People were fighting over them and I saw a man crying because he couldn't get any C batteries but there were extra AAs on the shelf.

Best wishes. It's always good to be prepared for an emergency at all times so this thread is a good reminder.