Preparing for a Hurricane

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I've been in one hurricane.  I was about 3 or 4 years old living in Houston, TX and it is one of my first memories.  Most of my memories center around the emotions that I felt in our household.  I remember feeling anxious, stressed....I remember worrying about my Mom b/c she seemed different (scared I'm sure).  I do remember a bit about the actual preparation: I remember filling the bathtub with water.  I remember empty store shelves. I remember moving a mattress somewhere: maybe the center of the house, or maybe a closet with no outside walls...I'm not sure...

Hurricane Irene poses the largest threat to the U.S. Northeast since Hurricane Gloria in 1985. More than 65 million people from North Carolina to Maine, or about one in five Americans, may be in the way of the hurricane.  I feel for those anxiously awaiting hurricane Irene.  I pray that all will be well for you.

Here are  few tips for preparing for a hurricane.   Hopefully you've already researched and done many of these things.  I know many store shelves are already empty.

If not, I hope this will help motivate you to do what you can now.   From President Obama:

“I cannot stress this highly enough: If you are in the projected path of this hurricane you have to take precautions now,” Obama said. “Don’t wait. Don’t delay.”
“All indications point to this being a historic hurricane,” Obama said. “All of us have to take this storm seriously,” he said. “If you’re in the way of this hurricane you should be preparing now.”

If you do not live in hurricane Irene's path, I urge you to still consider situations that could arise where you are and start now to prepare for them.

Water
Have a 3 day supply of water.  If you do not have it and cannot buy it from the store, fill your tub, fill bowls in your home.  Fill your sinks.

Food
Have a 3 day supply of food.  Pull all foods you can eat w/o water or fuel into the same place in your home.  Put them in a easy to locate / move bag or bin.  Freeze a few gallons of water (in milk jugs or juice bottles) in your freezer (especially good if you have a deep freezer).  If the power goes out, move all the food you can to your freezer with the ice jugs.  This will allow you to use the food you have in there for a longer period of time.

Meds
Make sure you have at least a 1 week supply of any necessary prescription medicines and that you can easily access them.  Keep them on your person in a plastic bag if possible.

Power
Pull out all your candles and flashlights along with batteries you may need.  Make sure everyone in your home has access to one.  Try to have at least 3 sets of batteries for each flashlight.  This should give you about 1 week's worth of light at night if needed.  If you can avoid using your candles that is best in case of gas leaks.  If you can, store propane for your grill or camp stove.  Charcoal will also allow you to grill or cook in a dutch oven.

Important Documents
Put all important documents (insurance policies, passports, house deed, birth certificates etc) somewhere they will be safe and dry (a ziploc bag will work fine).  You should also include credit cards and extra cash (in small bills).  You may also consider taking pictures of your home in it's current condition and including them (or just your camera or card) in the bag so that if you have to make an insurance claim you will have what you need.

Outside
Secure and move things like kid's toys, bicycles, patio furniture, stacks of wood inside if needed (or in a garage if you have one).  Cut any branches off trees that may snap, break, and do damage to your home.  If possible, consider boarding up your windows.

Family Plan
Make sure your children know how to call 911.  Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.  Often, in an emergency situation, you will not be able to communicate with those in the area, but you will be able to contact those outside of the area.  Choose someone who lives away from the area that your family will all call once they are safe and okay.  Then, that person can relay information to you about who she has / has not heard from.  Make sure you know the best information sources for your area. Internet and television may be out of service.  If you have an NOAA weather radio,(which everyone should have just for situations like this) get it out.  If not, find out if any of your nearby neighbors have one.


Travel
Make sure your vehicle is filled with gas.


First Aid
Pull out any and all first aid kits you have in your home and put them somewhere they are easily accessible.  If you have a first aid booklet, get it out too.  If not, print this one before the storm hits.

Where to go
If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately.  However, it is unlikey that you will be asked to evacuate unless you live in a low-lying area.  So, you must be as safe as possible in your own home. Look around your home and find the various types of hazards that could affect you during the storm.  Where is your home most vulnerable to storm surge, flooding, wind, flying objects?  Then, decide on the safest room (or area) in your home and move your family and supplies there before the storm hit.

What Not to Do:
Read this article for a great list of things you should not be doing during a hurricane.



I am an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance; a company with a mission to empower others to become self reliant, prosperous and charitable.  You can learn more about Shelf Reliance, buying their products, earning free products, or selling their products on my Shelf Reliance website.