I just got back from a harrowing trip to the grocery store in preparation for Hurricane Irene.
Virginia just experienced the strongest earthquake in recorded history on Tuesday, a 5.8. Now, we’re gonna get a deluge and probable power loss and lots of damage from a hurricane.
Where I live, we’ll only get tropical storm effects but I like to be prepared, especially after experiencing Hurricane Isabel in 2003. My family didn’t have power or clean water for 2 WEEKS! Thank god my dad has generators and we were able to keep the fridge, coffee pot and TV plugged in during the day.
Here’s what I learned:
- Wash all your laundry and dishes. You don’t want that stinky stuff lingering around for days.
- Fill your car up with gas – no power means pumps won’t work.
- Get thee to the ATM.
- Get at least one of those big water bottles with the spout. You can use it to wash your hands at the sink and refill it with gallons through a cut in the top
- Get some baby wipes for cleaning yourself up.
- Charge your cell phone and everything else that needs a charge.
- Get out your candles, matches, flashlights, ponchos and weather radios now so you don’t have to go digging for them in the dark. Does anything need batteries?
- If you have a grill, make sure you have charcoal or a full propane tank. You will need to cook all that food in your fridge if the power is out for more than a day.
- Don’t buy a bunch of perishable stuff at the store. Crackers, cookies, bread, peanut butter, canned goods, fruit, granola bars, juice boxes, etc are best.
- Put all loose things in your yard away
- Shower before the storm hits.
That’s about all I can think of if you’re not having a mandatory evacuation.
Hope everyone stays safe!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
sounds thorough! i’ll be paying attention to the news and hoping you guys on the east coast don’t get pummeled by her!
Excellent post for those in the danger zone! Take care over there!
Andrea recently posted..U2 in Toronto! (long overdue)
Such good points! I often wait until this last minute to prepare and stock up when mother nature wants to show off but this time around I’ve actually planned ahead! Stopped by the grocery store this morning on my way to work and like you bought 1 large water bottle, crackers, peanut butter, and bread (and some diet coke- ha!). I hope this isn’t going to be a Isabel repeat but I also remember being without power/water for nearly two weeks and I don’t wish to go through that again. Fingers crossed we just see alot of rain with any major damage or loss of power!
I stocked up on candy and bottled water. I’m ready!
CarlyRM recently posted..My Friend the Artist
Here’s a big one to remember: ATM and credit card machines run on electricity.
If you don’t have cash before the power goes out, you’re not going to have it after, either.
Dan recently posted..Steve Jobs resigns, Coach Scott resigns, Gaddafi “resigns,” oh and an earthquake
YES YES YES! Thanks Dan! I’m adding that to the list!
I’m sending all sorts of good thoughts your way. I will also keep this list handy for blizzard season in NE Ohio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbelt – see that postage stamp in the top corner of Ohio – yeah, that’s us).
Bundle up those kittens and the bf, and hunker down.
Julia recently posted..Letting the Stays on the Corset Out…
All solid advice, most of which I heeded before the storm.
terra recently posted..This internet thing is really catching on, the 20SB Summit and one ugly cry.
I keep meaning to thank you for this post. We were out of town for most of Isabel, so I really didn’t know what we were in for. I took most of your advice and I’m SO GLAD I did. Very helpful, thank you!
Adrien recently posted..Marianne: Wanty for Fall 2011.
Oh yay! I can’t believe you, Wren and my folks were w/out power for SO long. A total disorganized mess on Dominion’s part.