Hurricane season right around the corner

[JamesB]

With Hurricane season just a few weeks away its best to begin the preparations NOW, well at least thinking of what you need to get to be ready.

I will start a list and take everyone’s suggestions and add them to this list. I want to keep this to critical items and things no one thinks of

1. Video tape your home and possessions
2. storage containers for un-replaceable items (this way you can pack them in the car quickly)
3. Bleach - needed for clean up if you get water damage, kill the mold before it starts growing
4. FRS radios
5. phone numbers and address book (personal, work, utilities, banking/creditors)
6. trim your tree branches (dead / weak branches)
7. have cash money on hand incase you need to buy supplies
8. extra propane for your camp stove or BBQ grill
9. plastic sheeting / tarps to cover or wrap things
10. water proof container for medical supplies
11. document any and all medical conditions you have or any allergies and place with medical supplies marked very well as personal medical supplies and instructions for your care.
12.Check prescription medicines - obtain at least 10 days to 2 weeks supply
13. include your emergency contacts in the medical supplies box
14.Locate your homes cut off switches and valves for the electricity, water and gas
15. Pets - extra food and supplies for them (toys and treats also, they will get pretty stressed as well as us and we need to take care of them) bedding, carriers/kennels


James

[Chief]

I like your style James.....
I teach classes to the public for the Red Cross on how to prepare for a disaster, and from what I read you've got a great start. I recommend you stock up for at least 3 weeks if you can afford too.
Just thought I would comment

Gordon

[Tim T]

Thanks for the reminder. Also, I dread it this year. Hope that we don't have to evacuate again. Time to get plans in order, again.

[Abel]

no joke... lisa has been saying we need to buy plywood and clips...

[ndsimm]

Depending on the area you are in, a generator might be good in caase of power outage
I got one from last year and have yet to gas it up or turn it on....

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by Abel

no joke... lisa has been saying we need to buy plywood and clips...

then get it now!!!!! you can cut up a few pieces each weekend and MARK them for what window and door they go over so when you are in a panic you know what goes where.

James

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by Chief

I like your style James.....
I teach classes to the public for the Red Cross on how to prepare for a disaster, and from what I read you've got a great start. I recommend you stock up for at least 3 weeks if you can afford too.
Just thought I would comment

Gordon

some of the items I heard of on the radio after Katrina and Rita had passed last year. like the bleach, people always prepare for the storm and get plenty of food and supplies, but never think of the clean up problems they may encounter once the skies clear.

James

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

Depending on the area you are in, a generator might be good in caase of power outage
I got one from last year and have yet to gas it up or turn it on....

if I could get a good generator cheap I would. one that could run on gasoline or propane/natural gas.

my brother in-law put in a tap in is breaker box so he can just plug the generator in the breaker box and run his A/C, power the fridge and a few lights. he has the connections/convreters to run it off natural gas as well. his BBQ grille is tapped into the main gas line and he can disconnect that or put in a splitter and run the grill and generator.

James

[JamesB]

also when hunting for supplies, sometimes you have to think like McGuiver. or find tools/materials that serve multiple purposes. if you are an experienced backpacker (im not) you know this already. pack light, but have enought to accomplish almost anyting.

James

[EOC_Jason]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

Depending on the area you are in, a generator might be good in caase of power outage. I got one from last year and have yet to gas it up or turn it on....

Yes, a generator is a good investment, especially if your power goes out every time a big storm comes through (like it does here). Don't wait till the last minute to get one either!

If you do have a generator, fire it up and let it run for ~30min (stick something on it too for a load) to make sure it runs properly. Long story short our neighbor found out the hard way that his carb was all gummed up and when the power went out it would not run worth a darn and all their food in their fridge ended up spoiling.

[DAPhoto]

Great info here! I still have 13 sheets from the last storm and about 12 packs of misc battereis. Hurricane party here we come!

[johnastovall]

The last time we had a Hurricane around here was some time in Late Cretaceous but that's good advice no matter where one lives for most any kind of disaster. Only I would put a 1911A1 and a couple of full mags on the list for those two legged varmints who like to take advantage of disasters.

Or as Jeff Cooper is fond of saying, "Ain't many troubles that a man can't fix, with seven-hundred dollars and a 30-06."

[Chief]

If you want food that will last for years go to heatermeal.com. We hand out a lot of em and they are pretty good meals. If you get canned food don't forget the manual can opener. Portable radio with weather channel. Get a rope either orange or red.

I also recommend having a contact person out of state for everyone to call if you get seperated.
Get a water purifier pump or tablets. ( cabellas has em )

Gordon