10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Hurricane Season will be here soon....

by ShayB
8 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Hurricane season starts in June. For those of us who run the risk of hurricanes, the time to start preparing is now.

1. The government recommends having 3-7 days' worth of supplies on hand. This is because it normally takes a minimum of 72 hours for the local and federal governments to put their aid programs into place. History has shown, however, that having 3-4 weeks' worth of supplies would be even better. More than that is not going to hurt, either.

2. Camping equipment can make living without power quite comfortable. There are products available for cooking, heating water, water purification, etc. You can have all the comforts of home.

3. Don't wait until a hurricane is on the way before preparing. Most people wait until the last minute. If you wait until a hurricane is headed your way, you will find an empty store. (Try finding batteries, milk and bread when a hurricane is headed your way - forget it.)

4. Set up your plan now. Will you go or stay? Where are you going to go? Can you leave? (Hubby is in law enforcement, so he can't evacuate - so the plan is for him to stay and the kids and I may stay or go, depending on how bad the storm is.)

The key is to prepare, and not panic.
  • Profile picture of the author ShayB
    Another thing to keep in mind:

    The less dependent you are on government aid after a disaster, the better. Lines for aid will be long and tempers flare. It is safer if you are completely self-sufficient.
    Signature
    "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[552397].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      And people wonder why I still live in NY.
      Besides from having high taxes and NYC
      our worst weather is usually just winter.
      In other words for a few months every year it gets a little cold and snows sometimes.
      Signature

      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[552555].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ShayB
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        And people wonder why I still live in NY.
        Besides from having high taxes and NYC
        our worst weather is usually just winter.
        In other words for a few months every year it gets a little cold and snows sometimes.
        LOL

        I have had lots of people ask me why I would live in an area that could have a hurricane hit.

        The reality is that we have not had a direct hit in 20 years - but we need to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. :rolleyes:

        Considering what other areas deal with (tons of snow, tornadoes, etc.), I will take hurricanes any day. They can't sneak up on ya!
        Signature
        "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[552918].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          It's all in what you're use to.
          I've lived in Fl. before and could again.
          When a hurricane blew in we would board ourselves in at the local bar and drink, err I mean ride it out.
          Signature

          Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
          Getting old ain't for sissy's
          As you are I was, as I am you will be
          You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553070].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

            It's all in what you're use to.
            I've lived in Fl. before and could again.
            When a hurricane blew in we would board ourselves in at the local bar and drink, err I mean ride it out.
            LOL

            I have been to a Hurricane Party or 2 in my day, too. LOL :rolleyes:
            Signature
            "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553258].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              Shay - Below is my favorite "hurricane preparation" article. Problem is - Katrina proved to us that much of this advice is true! (can't remember if I've posted it before, so sorry if I'm repeating myself)

              kay

              -------------

              To: ex-Mississippians, present Mississippians, future Mississippians, and those who even think about visiting during Hurricane Season.

              We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Gulf of Mexico and making two basic meteorological points:

              (1) There is no need to panic.
              (2) We could all be killed.

              Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Mississippi. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one.''

              Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

              STEP 1. Buy food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days.
              STEP 2. Put these supplies into your car.
              STEP 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween.

              Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Mississippi.

              We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

              HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE: If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance.

              Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:

              (1) It is reasonably well-built, and
              (2) It is located in Nebraska.

              Unfortunately, if your home is located in South Mississippi, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place.

              So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane George, I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies.

              This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.

              SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

              Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.

              Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

              Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house.The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.


              "Hurricane-proof'' windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so.He lives in Nebraska.

              Hurricane Proofing Your Property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc.; you should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

              EVACUATION ROUTE: If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out.(To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Mississippi" you live in a low-lying area.) The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

              HURRICANE SUPPLIES: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Mississippi tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM.

              In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:
              • 23 flashlights. At least $157 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes out, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.
              • Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so GET some!)
              • A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant. It is HOT here.
              • A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)
              • A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Katrina; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)
              • $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

              Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.
              Good luck and remember: it's great living in paradise!
              Signature
              Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
              ***
              Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
              January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
              So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553281].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author ShayB
                ROTFLMAO

                Kay, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

                That was too funny! (And it is so true!!!)
                Signature
                "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553290].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                  Shay -

                  That's why it always cracks me up too - so much truth in it!
                  Signature
                  Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
                  ***
                  Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
                  January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
                  So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553347].message }}

Trending Topics