Preparing for hurricanes. The only good thing about hurricanes is that there is a warning and time to get prepared. I moved to RI in 1953. In '54 we were hit with Carol. My last hurricane (so far) was Bob in 1991. Here is how I prepare to evacuate. Pack as if you are going away camping for 3 days. Then add what you wouldn't want to lose if your house is gone when you come back (Mostly important , records.)
I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and just went through Katrina. We not only didn't have electricity for 2 weeks, we also had zero water for almost a month ... and we're on regular city water. We also had no telephones at all, cell or otherwise for about 2 weeks before we got cell phones back. Land lines were down for 3 months. No internet for 3 months, no cable for 2 months. There were no stores open. No gas stations open. It was a very primitive life I'm telling you. We ran out of ice, water and food and there was no place to get any of the above. The 2nd week my husband and I finally left and drove to Florida to rent a room, shower and get some A/C, a meal and supplies. We had to wait in line for gas for 2 hours in Alabama to get there. We got a hamburger at Burger King when we got to Florida and it was so good I starting crying and couldn't stop! You don't realize how good you have it till you go through an experience like this I'm telling ya.
I have been in several hurricanes and power outages but have never lost water. Is that because you have a well that you need power for water? As I said I have never lost the water, that is,_city_ water. And having gas stove to cook on helped too. That never went off, like the electricity does. If you have an electric stove, a bbq grill (even a charcoal one) comes in handy. Pam (in RI)
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Tip: Hurricane Preparation Tips
Archived on 05/30/2006
When folks ask me how to prepare for hurricanes one thing I generally tell them is after they've done what they can to get ready:
Take a Shower, leave the water in the tub to scoop out to flush the toilet with or put a wash tub in the shower and stand in it to shower. I usually also tell them to put a bucket of water in their tubs for flushing too and save it for Nasties, not just a little piddle. A person will seldom regret getting clean before a long power outtage.
Keep a squirt bottle or 2 of water in kitchens and bathroom for hands and personal areas. When in bathroom squirt these areas over the toilet to dilute a little piddle. Don't jump if the water is cold.
Watch out for snakes and fire ants. Both of which tend to come up out of the ground when there's a heavy rain.
When you buy flashlights and batteries it is wise to get extra bulbs as well.
Don't forget the emery boards to go with the batteries, you can often get more life out of the batteries by using the emery boards on the ends.
A hand operated can opener, a battery operated fan and a wind up or battery operated clock, preferably one that glows in the dark are important to have. Those battery operated candles do great in front of mirrors too. They make a really big glow and are much safer than real candles whether or not you have pets (and especially if you do have them.)
Grab a battery operated TV, it really helps to see the outside world. I know during IVAN last year it was one hint of Normal Life. The Black & white ones cost about $20 so are certainly affordable and usually have am/fm radios too.
Lots of hints gathered in 50 years or so. But Nobody is "Prepared" for the Big Ones. They scare the Bleep out of you, period plain and simple.
