Hurricane Veterans: What Should I be Doing?

[Virgo10]

The weather people are saying that any track by Wilma won't be more than guess work until Thursday. Well, that's not exactly how they put it but I got their drift. So, right now, what are you doing?

I started making ice today. Tomorrow we're going to have a plywood dress rehearsal so if we need to put it up, it will be ready to go. I'm also going to bring in all outside items that could be blown around

If it really looks like it's going to be bad on Thursday, I'll get extra food and some bottled water. We've got batteries up the yazoo, flashlights, a regular and a weather radio and hurricane lamps with oil. I'll also be checking out prescriptions to make sure we've got at least a week's worth. Oh, and I'm putting our homeowners insurance info in a safe place.

Any and all suggestions for things I haven't thought of are welcome.

 

[bsnyder]

If you wait until Thursday, for the bottled water and canned goods, the grocery stores will be a mad house then.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

If you wait until Thursday, for the bottled water and canned goods, the grocery stores will be a mad house then.

Amen. Get the stuff now. If you don't need it you can donate it to charity. That's what I did last year with our leftover food supplies and that is what I will do this year if we don't have to hit our stash.

 

[Lyn5]

If you wait until Thursday, for the bottled water and canned goods, the grocery stores will be a mad house then.

I agree, things go fast. Around here, things like toilet paper and other goods that are barged in go fast too....I am not familiar with what runs out the fasted in your area. I would prepare now and if the hurricane dies down (here's hoping) you can just use up your supplies in time. Better to over prepare than not be prepared.

We also keep crystal light and other drink mixes on hand, extra can openers, extra pet food, medications, pain relievers, rope...

 

[mamalle]

my tip would be go out now- we have already been to costco today to stock up and add to our hurricane supplies, I bought another propane tank and dh will check our reserves for gasoline. yes- we might be spared but Id rather be save than sorry- I can always use water, batteries, food etc. maybe a small black/white TV that goes on batteries our costco had great lanterns last year and I picked up another at the beginning of hurricane season- they light up the whole room. we will be eating alot of PB&J if we will be without power for awhile, along with many granola bars, goldfish and pretzels.. here we go again!!

 

[Lyn5]

I also bake a lot before a storm (I like to bake anyway) but bread, muffins, cookies, etc. will keep for a few days or longer if need be and I always freeze some pies, breads, etc. which I could let thaw as we needed them. A small generator might be a good idea and a gas grill, if you have the space for them.

 

[LoveWDW]

Collect all important papers and put them somewhere you can grab them up if you have to leave.

Good luck!

 

[mamalle]

yeah a generator is a godsent. dh had a electrician out this past summer so its all hooked up the right way and I have gotten the whole lesson on how to work it if he is on shift.. Im going to do some baking on friday and taking some stuff in to work on saturday since last year we were told they would supply our meals and it wasnt so. This year they told us upfront if there is a hurricane- bring your own supplies..

 

[SplshMtn99]

charge up cell phones.

 

[mamalle]

unfortunately alot of our cell phones didnt work after hurricane francis and our phone lines were down.. took a few cell towers out along its path. Mine charged since we have generators at the hospital but I could never get through to the fam. a old fashioned phone is nice to have also..

 

[safetymom]

Get a large rubbermaid container and put your hurricane supplies in that. Last year they were saying to put your important papers in a ziploc bag and put it in your washer or dryer. They usually don't get tossed around and are protected.

Don't forget to stock up on some canned or dry food. Last year the stores were out of meats, cheeses, frozen food after the hurricanes.

 

[anewvance]

Mamelle, we are neighbors.. i'm in West Palm. Think even if it passes us on the way out to the Atlantic that it will be bad??? I'm not so worried yet, kinda reminds me of Irene a few years ago.

 

[Lyn5]

unfortunately alot of our cell phones didnt work after hurricane francis and our phone lines were down.. took a few cell towers out along its path. Mine charged since we have generators at the hospital but I could never get through to the fam. a old fashioned phone is nice to have also..

Excellent idea on the phone. I have a corded non-electric phone that I pickup up for about $5. Also, don't forget a small battery-operated radio and extra blankets, pillows and clothes. I live in a rural area and DH will usually clean our trash cans and fill them with water...not to use for drinking but in case our water goes out we can still use the toilets. I will clean our tubs really well and fill them with water too so that we have additional drinking water if by chance our bottled supply were to run out.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Get gas and food supplies now!
Have an extra propane tank for grill if you don't already. Great for cooking all the stuff in your freezer when the power is still out a week later!

Decide where in your house is the safest should you need to seek shelter. Put supplies there. It turned ugly really quickly last year for Charley and I was throwing things out of a closet to keep my kids safe!

If you have animals make sure you have enough water for them and also have leashes and crates handy. They may get a little edgy as the storem approaches.

Make sure you have a regular(corded phone) for when the power goes out. Our regular phone service stayed on longer then cell and came back sooner.

Don't forget to fill tub with water the day of storm and have a bucket for using to flush. My dogs liked to drink out of tub as well!

 

[C.Ann]

Cash!! Don't forget to get some cash in case the ATM machines go down..

Also, if you think there's any chance you may have to leave the area, I would suggest booking a room somewhere NOW.. Those rooms go like crazy once people start heading away from the storm..

Good luck - and keep us posted!

 

[Hootiss]

Get all your laundry done. Stuff to keep the kids busy (books, cards, crafts etc.) We did not have power for over 2 weeks last year. The only good thing I can think of is at least it is not August and 100 degrees outside.

 

[mamalle]

Im not sure- my dad who lives in north palm does all his tracking and called me tonight and seems to think the winds will be around 120mph once they hit us here in palm beach county if it stays on track. I think being on the other side we wont be hit as hard but I remember last year when the winds were 100mph- power was out, phones were out and alot of trees down.. only time will tell. Im just glad to hear its going to be a fast moving one ( counting on steve weegle on that one). If anything changes drastically and its going to be more dangerous- my dad and stepmom are going to take the kids tomorrow at some point and head up north. I told him any later than that- they may be stuck in traffic. dh and I will be working..

 

[Virgo10]

Cash!! Don't forget to get some cash in case the ATM machines go down..

Also, if you think there's any chance you may have to leave the area, I would suggest booking a room somewhere NOW.. Those rooms go like crazy once people start heading away from the storm..

Good luck - and keep us posted!

I guess Charlie made a pretty close pass to this area last year. We weren't here then but my neighbors told me no one left. We're about 50 miles from the Gulf and while I don't expect to get off with no damage if this storm comes close, at least storm surge won't be an issue.

It would have to be life threatening for me to leave my animals and I just don't think that will be the case. We're not on the water and this house survived 3 of the storms last year with only some shingle loss.

As much as I love crazy weather, I hate wind so the next few days should be interesting to say the least.

 

[bsnyder]

I guess Charlie made a pretty close pass to this area last year. We weren't here then but my neighbors told me no one left. We're about 50 miles from the Gulf and while I don't expect to get off with no damage if this storm comes close, at least storm surge won't be an issue.

It would have to be life threatening for me to leave my animals and I just don't think that will be the case. We're not on the water and this house survived 3 of the storms last year with only some shingle loss.

As much as I love crazy weather, I hate wind so the next few days should be interesting to say the least.

The saying goes: Run from the water, hide from the wind.

If you're not in a flood zone or a mobile home, you shouldn't need to evacuate.

 

[anewvance]

Last year for Frances and Jeanne we went to my grandma's house basically because they have a large porch and don't need to plywood the sliding door... i'd go nuts in a totally plywooded house with no electricity.

Just saw the 8pm advisory from Weegle... the winds went up 20mph so it's at 100 now. He is "saying" new track might go more South of us... we'll see!