Post your Hurricane Joaquin advice here! (rain)

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by spencgr

This rain we are having isn't related to Joaquin at all. My commute was great this morning, but horrendous Tuesday night.

No kidding on the traffic Tuesday night; going north was a paaaain! Definitely could feel a few spots on the highways where there was a considerable amount of water. Not too bad this morning going south (495/95) but visibility was definitely reduced a bit, hence lower speeds in general.

[SandyJet]

Originally Posted by SmartMoney

Lessons from Isabel:
Order a generator to be delivered to a local store the day after the storm. If the area is declared a disaster area, FEMA will reimburse you for generators purchased after the storm.

Do not fill your freezer with food. Four days without electricity makes for one hell of a potluck BBQ, most insurance companies cap each event at a dollar amount below what's really in there.

Buy a couple gas powered chainsaws. Even if you don't plan on using them, they will be critical barter material, maybe even better than cash. Worse case, take them back for a refund.

If you camp out on a lower level, do so on the opposite wall of a fireplace. If the chimney is struck by trees or lightening during the night, it can come crashing into the house. Unknown to my little family, we were sleeping beneath a teetering chimney. We had an angel with us that night.

Actually there are generator rental companies you can pre-order from. That way if you need it you are first on line if you don't your are not stuck with it.

I agree with food, food was least of problem in Sandy. When I went to look for help tons of stores giving away free food. Heck Carvel gave me an Ice Cream cake when I asked if they had a phone.

Chainsaw is of use in winds. Not floods after Sandy not a single stick on ground near me. Wood floats and tide took it all out to sea.

Generators are also of limited use. My electric panel was underwater. So could not be used for much things

[Forehead]

I went and purchased a 24 pack of water, but that was because I was out of bottles of water, no specific preparation. It's going to be interesting...I recently moved from PW County, where the lines were all buried and we never lost power, not even during that Derecho incident where some had no power for a week. Moved back into the Falls Church - McLean area where everything is above ground, so I should probably get used to the idea of losing it every so often.

[tysonsengineer]

If you are worried about surface flooding in your neighborhood. Go out and walk right now with a large paint roller extender or broom handle and clear out any obstructions of storm inlets. Rivers don't cause flooding around here (well I guess in some very specific places they do) but clogged inlets do. Leaves, garbage, etc mean the inlet that can take on thousands of cubic feet of water now no longer works, and that waters gotta go somewhere.

Caution, don't stand in the water when doing this unless is it less than 3 inches deep. Seriously.

[Flamingo13]

I have a possibly stupid question: would it hurt to do laundry in a high rain event? Would that contribute to more water in the sewers?

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I have a possibly stupid question: would it hurt to do laundry in a high rain event? Would that contribute to more water in the sewers?

In 95% of northern virginia we have no combined sewer system. Our storm drainage pipes run in a separate pipe system than our sanitary sewer pipes. However, in very old neighborhoods, dating back prior to knowledge about storm drainage being incorporated into city planning; the systems are combined. This includes parts of Alexandria's watershed and DC of course.

[Flamingo13]

Thanks tysonsengineer - I have no idea about here, figured I'd not do it, just in case (how would I find this out?)

[SmartMoney]

Originally Posted by yandex

But wouldn't that be purchased before the storm? I don't know of many places anymore where you place an order for a piece of equipment like that and don't actually purchase it until after it's arrived.

Some stores will let you do store pay at pick up - I want to say sears still does. Even if not, just tell the clerk you really screw up and used the wrong credit card. Ask them to refund it on the one card and charge it on the other card, they won't know why you are doing. The real question is would your ordered merchandise make it to your shopping cart or would it be intercepted?

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

Thanks tysonsengineer - I have no idea about here, figured I'd not do it, just in case (how would I find this out?)

Here's some info from the city of Alexandria on their current system and plans for the future

Combined Sewer System | Environmental Quality | City of Alexandria, VA

[Flamingo13]

Thank you!