[The Villages Guy]

With the possibility of a tropical system developing and hitting the state Monday/Tuesday, it is a good time to discuss storm prep.

We have yet to go through any major tropical system, since we arrived in 2012. What do y'all do in prep for these tropical systems and what does your kit contain.

[Bobdreamz]

great topic !

#1 : Check out your Insurance Policies :
A) HomeOwners , WindStorm & if You are covered by Flood Insurance as well.
B) Renters , please get some sort of "Renter's" Insurance it's not that expensive and your Car Insurance Company may cover you as well.

[cfbs2691]

i usually start a little stock pile of water, dry goods, and make sure my flashlights have batteries this time of year so I don't have to battle the crowds when a storm is coming.(including what was posted above)

[Travelassie]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

With the possibility of a tropical system developing and hitting the state Monday/Tuesday, it is a good time to discuss storm prep.

We have yet to go through any major tropical system, since we arrived in 2012. What do y'all do in prep for these tropical systems and what does your kit contain.

Here are a couple links on the topic of hurricane preparedness. We've always gotten most of the items in June, or well before any tropical system warning or watch, supplies are plentiful then and there are no lines, no waiting, and the items are useful even if there are no storms. These include nonperishable food items, disposable paper goods, plastic containers and garbage bags, pharmaceuticals as needed, batteries, flashlights and lantern, matches, pet food.. We also make sure the cars are gassed up all the time during hurricane season, and we obtain the cash we think we might need well in advance. These are expenses but can be obtained a few items at a time if started soon enough well in advance of any tropical warning.

The above information is available on any hurricane planning guide, but here are a few tips from some hurricane-worn veterans here. We've been here since the mid-70s and have gone through a number of hurricanes (Andrew was the worst, the others mostly inconvenient, for us, anyway).

Regarding the nonperishable food, get what you like and will eat, that has a minimum of preparation. You don't have much appetite under post hurricane conditions, and having to eat can after can of stuff you don't really like much (for me that was tuna, those little canned sausage links) will make you never want to see them again when its all over. This is the time for comfort food if there ever was time. Peanut butter is your friend!

Have lots and lots of water and other drinks on hand. With no power, no AC and working under those conditions makes one thirsty and dehydration can be a problem. I recall wanting more to drink than eat, and think we all had at least a bit of dehydration, which made us feel lousy. Bottled water is fine, but we saved clean gallon containers, bought other containers which we filled with tap water before a storm. Some of those you can freeze-they will keep your freezer cooler longer when the power is out, and they can serve to keep items in coolers cool, when they thaw you can drink the water. We also found canned and boxed juices, gatorade very helpful. We also have a 20 gallon insulated drink container with a faucet we fill with water and lots of ice, that has gone a long way and provided lots of quick drinks of water following storms.

We put items such as batteries, matches in large plastic containers so they are protected and are all together.

They suggest filling bathtubs with water, for use in flushing toilets, dishwashing and cleaning, in the event you aren't getting running water. Lots of wipies-both for personal use, and cleaning are very helpful too. I remember using that bathtub full of water down to the last drop in Miami after Hurricane Andrew.

Just a few ideas.

Hurricane Safety Checklists « National Hurricane Survival Initiative

Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready

[Restrain]

We have a generator, so we can keep the refrigerator cool. So several cans of gas with stabil, non-perishable foods, water, a propane grill is a good idea, same sort of stuff everyone else has mentioned. If we have up to a Class 2 storm, will probably ride it out. Above that, we will secure the home and go visit kinfolk well away from the storm.

[lunetunelover]

One tip I learned living in another hurricane prone area - set your freezer on it's coldest setting a few days before the storm. Believe it or not, it will help keep the frozen food colder longer should the power go out.


Get ICE before the storm, if possible and if you have a place to store it.


Make sure you have a can opener that is NOT electric for those canned goods.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

great topic !

#1 : Check out your Insurance Policies :
A) HomeOwners , WindStorm & if You are covered by Flood Insurance as well.
B) Renters , please get some sort of "Renter's" Insurance it's not that expensive and your Car Insurance Company may cover you as well.

Great points.

Our son, who currently has flood insurance, is considering whether or not to keep it. He lives close to the Anclote waterway, so of course we told him it is a no brainier to keep it. A small <$400 cost per year is a wonderful peace of mind.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by Travelassie

Here are a couple links on the topic of hurricane preparedness. We've always gotten most of the items in June, or well before any tropical system warning or watch, supplies are plentiful then and there are no lines, no waiting, and the items are useful even if there are no storms. These include nonperishable food items, disposable paper goods, plastic containers and garbage bags, pharmaceuticals as needed, batteries, flashlights and lantern, matches, pet food.. We also make sure the cars are gassed up all the time during hurricane season, and we obtain the cash we think we might need well in advance. These are expenses but can be obtained a few items at a time if started soon enough well in advance of any tropical warning.

The above information is available on any hurricane planning guide, but here are a few tips from some hurricane-worn veterans here. We've been here since the mid-70s and have gone through a number of hurricanes (Andrew was the worst, the others mostly inconvenient, for us, anyway).

Regarding the nonperishable food, get what you like and will eat, that has a minimum of preparation. You don't have much appetite under post hurricane conditions, and having to eat can after can of stuff you don't really like much (for me that was tuna, those little canned sausage links) will make you never want to see them again when its all over. This is the time for comfort food if there ever was time. Peanut butter is your friend!

Have lots and lots of water and other drinks on hand. With no power, no AC and working under those conditions makes one thirsty and dehydration can be a problem. I recall wanting more to drink than eat, and think we all had at least a bit of dehydration, which made us feel lousy. Bottled water is fine, but we saved clean gallon containers, bought other containers which we filled with tap water before a storm. Some of those you can freeze-they will keep your freezer cooler longer when the power is out, and they can serve to keep items in coolers cool, when they thaw you can drink the water. We also found canned and boxed juices, gatorade very helpful. We also have a 20 gallon insulated drink container with a faucet we fill with water and lots of ice, that has gone a long way and provided lots of quick drinks of water following storms.

We put items such as batteries, matches in large plastic containers so they are protected and are all together.

They suggest filling bathtubs with water, for use in flushing toilets, dishwashing and cleaning, in the event you aren't getting running water. Lots of wipies-both for personal use, and cleaning are very helpful too. I remember using that bathtub full of water down to the last drop in Miami after Hurricane Andrew.

Just a few ideas.

Hurricane Safety Checklists « National Hurricane Survival Initiative

Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready

Excellent info, Travelassie.

Here are a few issues I know we need to reconcile:

1) Because of serious health issues, I am on multiple medications. Two of them are ones I cannot get until I am two days from running out. This could be a huge issue, if the timing is bad.mYhere is no way to get those two stocked up.

2) We always have extra batteries, but have been having a problem with them leaking when not in use.

3) Because of my health issues, evacuating is pretty much not a possibility. I need to stay horizontal as much as possible. 99% of the day.

4) We have a bedroom window air conditioner, so we do not have to AC the entire house that cool at night. Wondering how I would run a power cable to it, if we were to purchase a portable propane generator. The AC power cord is indoors, but the generator would be outside.

5) Speaking of portable generators, how do people prevent them from being stolen in times of need? Seems like an easy crime of opportunity.

[Sweetbottoms]

30+ year resident. I don't even bat an eye unless it's nearing a cat 3 and then I may just fill the tubs. Have yet to evacuate, it's harder to get back in than get out. Most of the time they don't let you back in to even assess damage and you're stuck floundering between hotels and trying again and again. . Even for Wilma which was cat 5 then 4 on impact I stuck around.

The news will try and scare you and hype everyone up. Everything is "get your supplies now , stock up for 2 weeks" etc etc. you see mass chaos 9 days out where people are fighting over and friggin can of soup. It's a lost cause half the time. Wait till about 3 days before. You'll have a better idea where impact is. Even then it's not certain. Charlie changed course 2 hours before impact and destroyed Port Charlotte. Was suppose to hit Tampa area. I mostly take anything in from the porch, fill
The tubs and have some water handy. The stores won't be down for weeks so food will be available sooner than you think. If yore lucky enough to be on the same switch board as a shelter you'll have power quick. I've never gone longer than 2 days.

[cfbs2691]

If a storm is definitely headed your way, do all of your laundry..
Sounds silly but when the power goes out you'll be glad you did.
Generator or not

During Wilma most of our neighbors lost power for 3 weeks.
I felt kind of guilty that ours was only out a few days

Prepare as though you're going camping.
Thats what it's like after a bad hit....in that there were curfews and you couldn't go out, and you have to be ready for possible boredom.
Cards, games, and books will be very appreciated.
And s'mores via candles.