How are you preparing for Irene?

F

Foilist

Joined
Dec 20, 2004
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As a transplanted Midwesterner, hurricanes are outside of my experience. It looks like one is coming, so here's what I've done:

I had an arborist cut down a widow maker tree big enough to damage my house. I was going to have it done eventually, but this seemed like a good time.

I got a generator. Again, this is something I was going to do anyway, since the house we moved into is wired up to plug one in, and power outages are not unusual here.

I got some bottled water, food, and batteries. I still need to fill up the gas cans.
 
I prepared better for hurricanes after being hit hard by Opal and Erin by moving 500+ miles North from the spit of sand I lived on in the Gulf near Fort Walton, Gulf Breeze. I've not been bothered much by hurricanes since.

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55years on Central Florida Gulf coast.... some random thoughts

review disaster plan with family and any extended members you are responsible for ...hospitals, nursing home
copy important documents, will, insurance, financial account numbers, video inventory to zip drive in waterproof container
original documents in water proof container if you must evacuate
freeze drinking water in containers(fill about 3/4 full)... add to freezer/refrig/coolers to maintain cool temp
refill prescription meds
Clorox and poviodine/iodine to disinfect exposed skin if you get in contaminated water, and as water purification
2 five day coolers, one for ice, one for unfrozen perishables
extra 5 gal buckets for myriad of uses....water storage and transport, improvised toilet
40 gal trash can water filled in bath/shower allows you to flush toilet if water interrupted (pour directly into toilet bowl) and gives you room to use shower drain for shower
way to heat water and cook food for extended power outage
I have 3 25# propane tanks and adapter to fill 1# bottles plus hose adapter....for propane camp stove and grill
portable radio or other access to weather/news.....portable digital TV with 12v cigarette plug provides entertainment
hard wired land line phone not portable
12v cell phone charger....most of the cell service was out during 04 season
filled garden hose exposed to Sun can be used to heat water...3mil contractor bags laid on flat surface with 2x4 under end
good LED flashlight and headlamp for every family member.... lithium batteries...area lighting like chem light (I use Dietz kero lantern but open flame is typically not recommended)
battery powered fan to provide ventilation to sleep
if you board up use the #25 TorX deck screws as they are easier to remove than Phillips head.... good screw gun
blue tarp, roofing mastic, furring strips to replace small roof damage
good rain gear....towels ....way to keep feet dry when not outside...sandals/flip flop shower shoes
good shoes and gloves for clean up
 
Foilist said:
As a transplanted Midwesterner, hurricanes are outside of my experience. It looks like one is coming, so here's what I've done:

I had an arborist cut down a widow maker tree big enough to damage my house. I was going to have it done eventually, but this seemed like a good time.

I got a generator. Again, this is something I was going to do anyway, since the house we moved into is wired up to plug one in, and power outages are not unusual here.

I got some bottled water, food, and batteries. I still need to fill up the gas cans.
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I think you got the basics covered. I got loads of backpacking and camping gear that can double as a disaster kit. Without dropping a whole laundry list, heres a few more basics you might want to add:

propane grill (dont need a biggie, a $20 mini grill will work) and one or two 1lb tanks.
Matches and/or lighter
Lots of ice, I took a few empty soda bottles and filled with water.
portable radio
candles

When Hurricane Gloria hit back in '85(?) the biggest problem was boredom (no power for almost two weeks), followed by keeping the food cold as a close second. Start eating the frozen/refrigerated stuff now, save your canned/pantry food for the Hurricane.
 
prepare? i'm watching which neighbor buy the best booze, to hang with them :)

one of them has a killer grill and a freezer full of bambi though.

i'm thinking: block party :)
 
I have a bunch of water and food. Got gas for the generator but need to test fire that in the AM. Also have my BOB and a means to protect my family and property but don't think it would ever come to that. I will fill up the sinks and check my MSR pump filter to make sure it works. Also recharging all my batteries.
 
I've been through a few hurricanes, although now that I live in CT I don't see many of them. However I have no need to go out and deal with the hordes of panicky people at stores, my home is well supplied at all times. Other then taping the windows and removing patio furniture, I'm all set.

As a husband and father of now 2 girls, I feel it is my responsibility to have my family protected and provided for at all times. There are some emergencies that will not have a 3-4 day warning. Those are the ones that will hurt you, so preparation is a way of life.
 
ditto what tonym said. i think it's already a given that members of w&ss are constantly prepared so there's no changes in our routine...i'll probably buy more booze than usual tonight but that's about it :D
 
I'm bending over and spreading for when the gas prices spike.
 
JV3 said:
ditto what tonym said.

...i think it's already a given that members of w&ss are constantly prepared so there's no changes in our routine...

...i'll probably buy more booze than usual tonight but that's about it :D
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Double ditto on what Tony said, we're all smart enough to be prepared.


And Ditto on doubling up on the booze, and plenty of BBQ friendly food.





Big Mike
 
just a further comment...the trying part of the 04 season down here (we had 3 storms in about a month's time) was the 6+ day power outage in the heat of summer, and we had massive interstate cooperative response...if multiple states are hit, your response will likely be a lot longer, especially if you are remote....when you are used to air conditioning, trying to sleep in high 80's past midnight temps, and then preparing for work at 6am is a challenge (I like to shave with hot water)...then there is boredom....reading by the flickering Dietz lantern was something for Abe Lincoln to put on his resume....going from a 120 channel 52 inch projection TV to a 5 channel 8" portable was just another minor nuisance....I listened to a lot of radio
 
I've got the very important stuff taken care of. Just got back from the package store with two new half gallon jugs of my Evan Williams whiskey, and plenty of pipe tobacco.

Of course I got that other stuff, like flashlight batteries, water jugs, duct tape, and can's of sterno and canned goods. Just in case I run out of whiskey.

Carl.
 
Havin' lived on the East Coast, (Jersey) for the first half of my life, (25 years) and less than a mile from the Delaware River in PA for the next half I'm no stranger to natural disasters be it hurricanes or 5 feet of snow from a Nor' Easter, the prep is always the same, have a predetermined escape route,for your location, know the back roads or have a GPS tank of gas in the truck and a BOB always at the ready.

Make sure you have spare meds, your critters are taken care of basically be ready to roll if needed, other than that I'll deal with whatever comes, I've learned the things necessary to take care of my family prior to an emergency, the time to learn is not durin' an emergency, always practice your skills so you're not caught off guard.
 
I'm starting to think this won't even be a Hurricane. Looks like it might be a Tropical storm by the time it hits LI. But, I'll still be prepared.
 
Okay, so I confirmed with the PO of my house the correct procedure for using the generator hookup.

I filled all my gas cans and my motorcycles, giving me 35 gallons of gas, not counting the cars.

My camping stuff is all organized in bins anyway, if I need any of that, and the propane grill still has plenty of fuel.

I got bar oil and 2cycle mix for the chainsaw for afterward.

There is food and bottled water, but the generator ought to keep the well and freezer going.


Tomorrow I'll secure all the deck furniture and whatnot, and maybe tape the windows. I am far enough from the shore not to worry about flooding. Probably.
 
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