Run for your lives..IT'S HURRICANE IRENE

Okay, so I have candles and water and refuse to panic...I can head west and stay with friends if the weather gets worse. I have insurance and a lock box with important papers and photos what else can I do? Why panic?

 

You can get a battery operated radio - you'll want that if the lights go out, as well as a flashlight. (I've been through a couple hurricanes.) Store some fresh water in your tub - not so much to drink, but if the water main goes, you'll have something you can use to flush the toilet.

You can tape your windows, which won't prevent them breaking but will limit the flying glass if they do.

And I swear, guys, this one's not me. I take responsibility for the earthquake because of tremors that day, but I don't do hurricanes.

 

A friend of mine lives in Florida, is a hurricane veteran and a nurse. She's been posting tips for East Coasters not used to prepping for a storm this size.

I'll edit this if she comes up with other good ideas. Note: Tip numbers and order are completely random

Janet's Hurricane Tip #475: Pack the freezer with as much stuff as you can -bags of ice, loafs of bread, leftovers, etc. A full freezer stays cold longer if the power goes out. If the power DOES go out, resist opening the door unless you absolutely have to so everything won't defrost. Non-perishables like tuna and peanut butter to go with the bread.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #69: It's a fact, 9 months after a hurricane, there is a baby boom at the local hospitals. So if you're disinclined to enlarge your family, make sure you have alternate plans available

Janet's Hurricane Tip #38: Make sure you have at least two weeks of any Prescription Medication on hand.
And if you need refrigeration for your meds, make sure you have ice or ice packs and a cooler so you dont have to keep opening the fridge

Janet's Hurricane Tip #84: Bring in the potted plants, strap down the outdoor furniture (or put them in the garage) and secure your trash can. You don't want a trash can flying through your window to mess up your hurricane party.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #25: Taping your windows is useless. If you are expecting any winds over 100 mph, go ahead and board up your windows now with plywood - preferrably, with screws, and 3/4" plywood.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #733: Make extra pots of coffee and freeze the coffee in freezer bags in case the power goes out. You can always heat them up on the grill later, but few coffee makers work without power, and few people have campfire percolators anymore.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #221: Fill up your car with gas now, and get cash out of the ATM, now. You'll need gas in case you do need to evacuate quickly, and neither gas pumps nor ATM machines work without power.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #20: Cell phones fail when towers come down, and internet phones won't work when the cable goes out. If you don't have a land line, know where the local pay phones are. Hint: you might be able to find them at the mini-marts.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #44: As much as everyone likes to think it'd be fun to get drunk during a hurricane, just - don't. Your judgement is crap when you've been drinking and if there's anytime you need to be on top of you game and make good decisions, it's when you're in the middle of a hurricane.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #21: Do your laundry now. You won't be able to, later, and you'll want clean clothes to wear.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #47: Dry shampoo, baby wipes, and body powder. If you're out of power and water for any length of time, you won't be able to bathe as often and you'll need to clean up - use the baby wipes for quick sponge baths. The body powder will help keep you from chafing in the following heat without AC.

Hurricane Tip #2: Make sure you have extra batteries for your flashlight and battery operated radio. A weather radio is also an awesome thing to have, as it will let you know if there are tornadoes in your area - and tornadoes do come with hurricanes!

anet's Hurricane Tip #88: Storm shelters do not accept pets. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS at the house in case you have to evacuate. Make arrangements with friends outside of the hurricane zone to watch your pet for you, or call to arrange for boarding in a safe place.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #35: Put all your important papers, licenses, documents, photos, bills, address books with phone numbers, etc - in a water proof container so in case you do have to evacuate at a moment's notice, all you have to do is grab it and go.

Hurricane Tip #489: Buy some tarps NOW. In case some roof shingles come off (or in some cases, part of your roof) the tarps will help keep the rain out of your house so your house doesn't get anymore damage. Pensacola was a sea of blue tarps after Hurricane Ivan, and stayed that way for over a year.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #37: Let family members know of your plans. When Ivan went through Pensacola, we didn't hear from our brother for over 3 days as he was isolated in his neighborhood. That was the longest 3 days of my life! It took my sister calling the Red Cross to find out that he was ok.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #50: Figure on about a gallon of water per person, per day, for a week; you can clean out and reuse soda bottles, milk jugs, etc

Janet's Hurricane Tip #6: oh yeah, forgot about this one - found it on the website. "Don’t leave your secure area too soon. The storm may appear to have calmed but you may simply be in the eye." It's weird when the eye goes over. Everything gets calm, and you think it's over. It's not. The winds will pick up again - this time coming from the OTHER direction!

Janet's Hurricane Tip #44: If your power has gone out, and things are starting to thaw out of your freezer, COOK it all before it goes bad. You can re-freeze meat after you have cooked it, but you can't refreeze it after it has thawed and you haven't cooked it. It will go to waste.

Janet's Hurricane Tip #28: Don't forget the toliet paper

 

Oh my GOD...heading to Springfield instead..too much work LOL...good tips

 

JaiJai's Tip #1: SURFS UP!!!

Seriously, the waves were unreal yesterday.... hoping they hold up for when I get out today.

 

Hitting the beach in about an hour myself

 

Pics!

 

When I get back

 

Be safe - undertow can be ridiculous.

 

Why are all the most devastating earthquakes called feminine names , this is sexist

 

Rip tides too, but I look forward to those helping me get back into the lineup. Paddling against these waves is tucking firing!

 

They don't give earthquakes names. Hurricanes. Yes.

Katrina and Andrew are the worst in recent history.

 

Hell, yes. Just stay safe, Jaisee

 

My bad i meant hurricanes

 

Andrew and Ivan were both pretty outrageously bad storms

 

If Hurricane Irene was on the same magnitude as Katrina, then my advice to you would be as simple as saying...

 

what's the big deal?

it's just a little wind and some water

so what if SEPTA will be stopping all service at midnight, leaving people stranded as usual

we're in a state of emergency but i'm still due to check in at work this afternoon

simple, right?

 

Hell, DC transit shuts down if there's an inch of snow on the ground! This isn't Hurricane Andrew or anything...

 

@BigBrotherWise: LMAO!

 

Just curious bbw did your family stay in place or evacuate??