14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Some Tips For Dealing With Hurricanes

by Alton Hargrave
12 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Here are a few thoughts I quickly put together since I live in southeast Texas and we are preparing for hurricane Gustav.

Some Tips For Dealing With Hurricanes

Keep yourself informed. We have a wealth of timely information available to us in the form of television and the Internet. You can always know the latest information and time your decisions and preparations to your best advantage. Plan to have radio, tv, or Internet service throughout the storm or hurricane. You may not have electricity, so battery operated television or a generator to provide power for your tv or computer is neccessary.

Be prepared. Make your decision to evacuate the affected area or stay through the storm. If you are leaving, allow extra time to do so. If everyone waits until the last day, you may not be able to get through the traffic. You may need to carry an extra can of gasoline. Driving at a slow speed can cause your vehicle to get terrible mileage. And, fuel may be impossible to buy along the way. Take food and water with you if you leave the area. If you leave, take pets, medicine, most valuable papers, etc. Turn off your utilities.

Country homes are more comfortable after a storm if the power is off. Most rural homes have their own water well, so a generator can keep the pump running. With a generator, you can still have hot water too. No need to leave the hot water heater running all day. A clothes dryer uses more electricity than most generators can muster while supplying power for other things, so hang out your clothes to dry. If it is too hot to sleep, consider using a small air conditioning window unit in one of the bedrooms. It is not neccessary to cool the entire house. Most generators can handle a small window unit at night while most other electrical appliances are not needed.

Take some time before the storm hits to understand how your utilities such as water wells and electrical circuits function. It will come in handy after the storm when you have problems and are unable to call plumbers and electricians to help. Knowing where the circuit breakers are located is helpful. Stay out of the electrical boxes even when the power is off, because it may come back on without notice.

Your generator can be a great help in the evening. It can provide plenty of power to run the television, computer, and a fan. Turn off lights when not in the room. Explain to all family members about conserving power and not overloading the generator. Also, go over any safety issues such as dealing with gasoline and extension cords.

Most of all, try to be patient with everyone as the world is put back in order. It takes time to restore electrical service. Not everyone will get it back at the same time. If you are staying with relatives or friends, try to help with chores and keep in mind that dealing with power outages and food shortages can be stressful to all.

Maybe some others here have some additional advice.

Alton
#gustav #hurricane #storm preparation
  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    Here's a couple I picked up while I was in Fl. during Faye.
    Don't start a gas generator in your attached garage with the doors and windows closed and the door leading into the kitchen open.
    Also DON"T KITE SURF IN A HURRICANE!
    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[64408].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King

      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.

      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
      ***
      2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64432].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author happyheidi
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        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.

        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!


        very good advise about hurricanes.

        Onone can control that.IF there is as big hurricanes as china.s this time..Then so sledom people will be alive
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64580].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Alton Hargrave
          Good points, Kay! While reading, I remembered that many of us were unable to contact each other for a couple of weeks when the Rita and Katrina attacked us 3 years ago. Some had no Internet, some no phone, and some...no home.

          Hurricanes can sure disrupt things. They can knock our gravy train right off it's biscuit wheels! I know Allen had a rough time dealing with Rita. So did I, but not as bad as he did. We live relatively close.

          Alton
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64889].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author John Rogers
            Best of luck to everyone in Gustav's path!

            You're in my thoughts and prayers!

            John
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64972].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Alton Hargrave
              Another important thing to do if you expect to be clobbered by a hurricane is to back up your computer files and take the backup with you if you evacuate. Otherwise, just putting your most important files on a few discs, etc may mean that you can continue your business after the wind dies.

              Think ahead!
              Alton
              Signature

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[66119].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Tiger
                Batteries only last so long. Wally world sells those hand-cranked
                radios now.

                I would choose the hand cranked versions over the battery-powered
                versions. If the power is out for very long, those batteries wont
                last forever.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[66277].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Kay King
                  Another important thing to do if you expect to be clobbered by a hurricane is to back up your computer files and take the backup with you if you evacuate. Otherwise, just putting your most important files on a few discs, etc may mean that you can continue your business after the wind dies.
                  I take the computer with me!!! The whole thing!

                  Tiger -
                  Around here you'll melt by the time the batteries run out anyway
                  Signature
                  Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
                  ***
                  2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[66413].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author Alton Hargrave
                    Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

                    I take the computer with me!!! The whole thing!

                    Tiger -
                    Around here you'll melt by the time the batteries run out anyway
                    My batteries are weakening just thinking about all this!

                    Alton
                    Signature

                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[66443].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

      Here's a couple I picked up while I was in Fl. during Faye.
      Don't start a gas generator in your attached garage with the doors and windows closed and the door leading into the kitchen open.
      Please Thom...do tell. :confused:
      Signature
      Professional Googler
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64496].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Thom - Please tell us that wasn't you in the video!!!

        A good rule to remember: ventilation is your friend
        Signature
        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
        ***
        2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[64506].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Thom - Please tell us that wasn't you in the video!!!

          A good rule to remember: ventilation is your friend
          Nope not me, mama may of raised chickens, but she didn't raise no fools.

          While I was in Fl. I avoided the storm by simply going where it wasn't.
          The ride home on the other hand was right through the 'remaments' of the storm. I'm still not real sure how I survived that.
          On Weds. I tried going through North Carolina and made it 90 miles in 4 1/2 hours. I was riding from underpass to underpass and had to squeeze my bike in with all the cars hiding under them.
          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[64570].message }}

Trending Topics