We have many new residents since Hurricane Hugo and many who were too young to remember who are now grown up and living on their own, so I wanted to take this time to share some links to help should we find ourselves in the line of fire again.
The best time to prepare: at the beginning of hurricane season or just before hurricane season. Storms can generally change paths and intensity at the last minute. It is much easier to prepare in advance so there are minimal preparations to be made should we find ourselves with a hurricane bearing down on us. Plus it enables us to not have to go crazy with every storm thinking we need to do so many things at the last minute.
We have three named storms currently in the Atlantic. This is the time to prepare. If you wait to the last minute, you will not have time. You will also be very unlikely to find supplies at the last minute.
We have had an emergency box for years, and we keep adding to it as the years go by. Here are a few suggestions.
These are all things that you can check and be sure you are stocked at the beginning of hurricane season.
Emergency Box Ideas:
- batteries (all sizes)
- battery operated radio
- crank radio
- flash lights
- candles (never leave a burning candle unattended by an adult)
- corded phone
- can opener
- paper plates, bowls, napkins, utensils
At the beginning of each hurricane season:
- Trim back trees or remove dead trees, especially ones that are over your home.
- Clean your gutters.
- Check your canned goods and dry food.
When the hurricane is inevitable:
- Fill your tub with water. This is NOT for drinking but can be used to flush your toilet.
- Fill clean containers with water for drinking and for freezing to help keep your refrigerator and freezer food cold longer if you lose electricity.
Food Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
There is nothing like a hurricane to make you realize the IMPORTANCE of having plenty of water…and ice. If a hurricane is approaching and you have chosen to stay, fill some coolers with ice and make more, so that you will start off with a good fresh supply when quantities will be especially low. Hurricane season is also probably not the best time to stock your freezer (which I am hopelessly addicted to doing…lol). It could be more to spoil if you are without electricity for a long period of time. Let's face it. We can only eat so much, and it will only last so long if you loose electricity or once it is cooked.
It also might not be a bad time that can be easily heated in a pot or eaten cold, like a chicken salad. If you end up not losing electricity, you still have great meals to eat the rest of the week.
To find out more, visit the following links for some great tips:
- Mango & Lime's Hurricane Survival Guide
- Creating the Essential Emergency Food Stash for Hurricane Season
- Food: Your Hurricane Grocery List
- A Consumer Guide to Food Safety During Hurricanes and Storms
General Hurricane Preparedness Tips
During a storm, note the direction of the winds and the location of your trees. If a tree falls, you do not want to be in the part of the house where it will land.
I know many here love to have hurricane parties, but I would save the heavy drinking for AFTER the storm has passed and all is safe. During a storm is probably not the best time to have not have your wits about you.
If you are going to leave, please do not wait until the last minute. Even with the incoming lanes reversed, it is bumper to bumper for HOURS.
Do NOT drink tap water until you have been told it is safe.
Have cash on hand.
Purchase a corded phone and have it in your emergency box.
Be sure to get plenty of batteries and have a battery operated radio. They also have wonderful hand crank ones, too. This could be your life line. During Hugo, Port Royal was a life saver. It was the only radio station that we could get since they were not local and became the source of all information we needed. A special heartfelt thanks to the former WHTK Radio Station in Port Royal.
Be sure your laundry is all washed. You could be without water and electricity for up to two weeks….or longer.
Now, there are other tips about chainsaws, trimming limbs that I know nothing about and my husband is not hear right now…lol
To find out more, visit the following links for some great tips:
