Emergency Preparedness
Hurricanes
Aunt Sharon & Uncle Lee live in Charleston SC. They have a system and set plan for when Hurricane warnings come out. She wrote to me about it:
Even with a level 1-2, we're likely to loose power and water may not be safe. Plan on camping and taking complete care of your self!
At the first serious sign of the first hurricane, we usually stock up on these items and keep them until the season is over.
Bottled water
Canned foods (tuna, juices, vegies, peanut / cashew butters, and easy one can meals: chilis, etc.)
Cleaning supplies including bleech and mold/mildew cleaning supplies, paper and plastic products
(bags, towels, plates and utensils, napkins, tp, baby wipes, etc) - shortage of water - no dish washing or any washing for that matter!
First aid supplies
Matches (cookstoves, candles)(flashlights are safer than candles, but we use candles after the storm when we don't have to worry about wind)
Cat litter and food (small cans and dry)
Fill the large propane bottles for the grill, buy small ones for the camp stove
Buy batteries, be sure the flashlights and er radio works still work
Several days before each scare, we:
get at least $500.00 in small bills from our bank (no ATMs, cash and carry only, no electric cash registers)
Top off all cars with gas and fill gas cans for gas clain saw, generator,etc.
Refill all meds
Sharon gets B-12 and allergy shots
Use all the large containers, fill them with water and freeze - solid ice blocks will last longer and help to keep the frozen foods frozen
Back up all computer files onto CDs
Get out all the plywood covers for doors and windows (Lee cut them to size and labeled each piece the first year we were here.)
Several days before a definite hit:
Buy that generator and heavy duty cords we so far haven't purchased!
About two days before a definite hit:
Wash all clothes and linens
Clear the property of loose material--potential missles in high winds (lawn furniture, swings, grill, bird feeders, trash cans, hoses, flower pots, move and tie down kayaks, etc.
Eat all perishable foods and begin clearing out the reridgerator
Gather all important documents and CDs, photos, quilts, geneology stuff, special books, and place in ziplocs / bags
Cover household items and furniture with plastic bags and tarps - tie down
Remove wallhangings, store in bags
Book reservations in Ashville if we will leave
e-mail all friends and family of our plans and emergency contacts
The day before if we stay or go:
Board up the windows
Fill washer and tubs with water (bucket water into toilet for flushing)
Put safty collar and tags on each cat.
The day before - if we stay, in addition to the above - level 1 or 2, maybe 3
Buy bags of ice for the coolers
Clear under the stairwell for our nest - prepare (blankets, pillows, radio, flashlights, batteries, food, Water, reading - game items, Catholic essentials, basic household tools, etc)
Move furniture to best spot to protect it
Charge cell phones and charging supplies
Unplug everything to prevent damage from power surge damage
Gather all ER items and store in stairwell
Shower, shave, wash hair..........might be a week before the next time!
Park cars so they are best protected (near house and not under trees)
Two days before - if we leave, level 3, definitely level 4-5 (back up all the preps by a day)
Pack 2 cars for leaving
important docs, cds, and files, jewelry, other high value items, pillows blankets, water, food (power bars, fruit, crackers, canned stuff)
I spent 23 hours on I 26 for Hurricane Floyd with a cat and no food. Lee was in Idaho on a business trip. So I did all the preps here.
Bathroom calls - in a ditch on the side of the highway - just like everyone else!
cat supplies, cat carriers - one set for each car
charged cell phones and charging supplies
Enough basic clothes and shoes to live for 1 week (underwear, jeans, t-shirts, tennis and steel-toed shoes)
Meds, plastic baggies, paper towels, etc.
Basic household tools (There will be a lot to do when we return)
Lee sets up his car for him (clothes, meds, etc) and I do the same for my car. Chances we'll be separated.
We each will need to have what we need to make it.
The day before - last preps and LEAVE!
