Hurricane

I just moved back to Florida from TX two weeks ago and we're in South Florida. I've been watching this thing like a hawk too! I bought a ton of water yesterday and some food that doesn't require cooking. Be sure you get CASH! If the power is out, you will need it. Also, fill up your gas tank and get some extra cans of gas. We have a generator and need the extra gas to run it. Also, if the power is out, the pumps at the gas station won't run. Be sure your pets (if you have any) are taken care of. Don't leave them behind if you evacuate. You should also be sure you have any prescription medication you may need. There is no need to panic. I lived in Florida my whole life (on the west coast south of Tampa), with the exception of the past 7 years in TX, and you just make sure you're prepared and have a plan. This storm is going to be a MAJOR storm, so let your hubby laugh. He won't be laughing if this thing changes course at the last minute and he has food and water and a safe place to be. Good luck! I think we'll be fine, but I'm praying for the people in the Carolinas. They think it may be a category 3 or 4 by the time it gets there. That's catastrophic!

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Anything can happen. Better safe then sorry. I grew up in Florida. We got warnings,watches,etc for hurricanes all the time. I lived in Bradenton, Fl. We always seemed to have it pass us each year. However, we always were prepared, and did pack an emergency kit, as well as tape our windows, etc. We never had to evacuate, but I know many who have. When you see the destruction up close, and personal it changes your mentality a bit. Good for you!

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You can never be too safe. I say this as I sit in Charleston, SC which is in the center of the projected "cone" area. I will evacuate tomorrow afternoon, unless the course changes drastically to the north. (sorry North Carolina) I already have my familes bags packed, and my sentimental items waiting and ready to load into the car. Going now to the store to replenish our supply of non-perishables - drinks, soup, etc....

I stayed here in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo (Category 4), and it was horrible, and I will never stay again over a Category 2. The roads were impassable for 2 weeks+, no electricity for 3 weeks. Curfews imposed. No one was allowed into the city without credentials. We drove to meet my aunt for supplies in a location about 90 minutes away, and it took us 6 hours there.

Make sure you have a radio with new batteries. Flashlights, candles, matches. LOTS of food! Make sure you have CASH - credit cards do not work if there is no electricity, and lots of stores only took cash after Hugo. Buy a generator now. Don't wait until after - they are an investment living on the coast. Make sure you have a working chain saw. If you're planning to evacuate, know where you are going and book a room.

Sorry to frighten you, but I've lived through one of these and it is just awful. In my opinion it is better to err on the side of overreacting, than to wait and not be prepared. Good luck! I think you're probably out of the danger zone right now.

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Copy any important documents that could be ruined by water (insurance policies, for example) to a flash drive. You can attach the flash drive to your keychain and have copies of all your important documents close at hand.

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Why in the world would someone laugh about an emergency kit? Obviously he was never a boyscout. (ha) :P
I've been through A LOT of hurricanes in my life (grew up all along the Gulf of Mexico) and I do not panic. But I also know that you need to be prepared for some basic inconveniences....and if being prepared for "whatever" helps you feel more comfortable and safe, even if not necessary, more power to ya. I have to admit I am a little skittish of hurricanes now. Katrina was the last one I sat through, which was unnerving, to say the least. I left for north TX after Katrina. Now I'm back by water again: In June we bought a house a few miles from the beach, in SC. Dang. They say a bad hurricane is extremely rare...and yet, here we are, 2 months later, lol. I'm thrilled.
We have 2 walk in closets in the master bedroom. Mine is a nice square closet off the bathroom. We probably don't need a "safe room" because I don't think this place has tornadoes (?) but I just feel more comfortable doing things the way I always did (TX, LA, AL---they had tornadoes). Chose that space because it's big enough for all 4 of us, no windows, not really used too much, etc. I have it organized (at all times!) with rolled up sleeping bags and 3 packed duffle bags in case we need to go quickly, a file box that holds what we'd need in a pinch (all our personal id stuff, shot records, titles to the cars/house, insurances, and flash drives (specifically for our digital photos and tax info, lol) and a list of our medications, doctor and pharmacy info)and a crate that has extra batteries, 2 of those flashlights that unfold and light up the room, a large lantern, a great Red Cross weather radio that uses batteries, has a solar panel, and a crank and that also charges cellphones, a full first aid kit, and random "stuff". I also included a pack of cards, a couple kids' books, and some travel games. You can go to the Red Cross website for a checklist of what you should prepare for a hurricane. (Lots of odds and ends like a multitool, tape, an old corded phone that you can buy for $5 now since portable phones don't work with no electricity, things you wouldn't think about if you didn't have the list). Also, even though I have the lights and stuff in the closet's crate (for easy carrying), we also have a flashlight in a designated area of every room: the top drawer in both boys' rooms, one in the boys' bathroom closet, one on the guest nightstand, one in each of our nightstands, one in the kitchen junk drawer, one in the playroom, one in each car's glove box. Some may think that's excessive, but if the power goes out, I wouldn't want to grope and feel all over the house trying to get to one spot.
Have cash on hand because if phones are down, you can't use debit/credit cards. I remember a few days after Katrina I had enough and was heading to TX...was driving a couple hours and pulled in at a Taco Bell. They had a sign that said "exact change only". Basically they couldn't use the cash registers or card machines, so you either paid $5 for 1 taco, or bought 5 tacos, lol. Previous homes if we didn't have storm shutters and doors that you can lock from inside, then we'd at least use duct tape to make an "X" to keep glass from shattering all over the place if something hit it. Here, I noticed we have custom cut wood things for each door/window....just need to figure out how that works, because I have no idea, lol.
Make sure obviously that you have food for at least 3 days (I say a week because IF the roads flooded or whatever, the stores may not get replenished). Things you don't need to cook are easiest, but if you have gas or a grill you can bring back out after the storm, you can heat water for oatmeal, heat up soups and rice, etc. We have a couple cases of water bottles in the bottom of our pantry that we don't really use except for trips or whatever. We also have a deep freezer with those gallon jugs of Hawaiian punch juices...when we finish drinking one, I wash it with soap and rinse it, then fill it 2/3 full and put it in the deep freezer. (Basically, you want a gallon/day/person...for at least 3 days. The reasoning is that you need to drink a certain amount in high heat/humidity to be safe, and you need some potable water to cook with even if minimal, you still need it). Year round, this helps with energy efficiency in my deep freezer, but also in a pinch it keeps food cold longer and yes you can drink it later if needed, like Cheryl mentioned. (In past, I've really just been happy it's there when we lose power for an hour or 2....to keep the freezer cold, but it is handy to keep drinking/cooking water the 3 times we went DAYS without water). We always filled the bathtubs with water for toilets. And in our cars: each car has a smaller first aid kit, oil, jumper cables, work gloves, flashlight, road atlas, a can of fix a flat which isn't our first choice but good in a pinch, and a little cash, and powerbars/granola bars.
Most of these things are in place year round. I don't like having to go to the store right before a storm and fighting crowds for things. It's good to find out what possible emergencies could arise in your local area, then go to the Red Cross website (redcross.org) and print out the checklist for those possible emergencies. We don't live in "fear" or anything. But part of that is because I've already done the preparation we can.....if something happens, it's just a matter of fact method of dealing with it.
Edited: Here's some other things I didn't mention earlier, now that my checklist is out---Maps, your county's evacuation route/information highlighted in a map pencil so it doesn't bleed through, and your personal supply and "to do" checklist. Family emergency plan, pet plan, contact information for family/etc (we use the Red Cross emergency contact cards that I downloaded b/c it has all your info, contact info, emergency contacts, info for if you need medication, etc all on one card that folds to fit in your wallets), wet wipes/hand sanitizer, work gloves, vinyl gloves in your first aid kit, food bars, emergency blanket, sleeping bag or blankets for comfort and pillows if you want to leave and crash at someone's house, sewing kit, ponchos or at least large trashbags, 1 duct tape, whistles on a neckcord you'd wear (I know that sounds stupid, but not if you've had to search for people), a first aid kit at home and in cars, a hygiene/toiletries kit (travel sized shaving stuff, feminine stuff, toothbrushes, deodorants, etc), needs and comfort stuff for babies/young children (favorite blanky, pacifiers, entertainment included), bug spray, sunscreen, camera (even just a disposable) to record damage for insurance, corded phone, cash, neighbors' contact information, tools/supplies for securing your home, a multipurpose tool, keep cars fuel tanks full, pet care items (imunization records, proper id, food/water/kennel, leash), glasses, sunglasses, medicine. Paper/plastic plates, cups, cutlery, manual can openers and basic camping equipment. If you just have all this stuff easily accessible all year round, it's just "easier" to gather and then make up your mind whether you're staying or going. This hurricane won't be "that" bad, in my opinion. But I don't want to be inconvenienced, or take a chance. :P

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I have an emergency kit. We have a back pack for each member of the family and clothes (since I have growing kids I need to stay on top of it) for 3 days and meds (allergies - so again - stay on top of it) and food/rations for 3 days. We each have ponchos, flashlights, maps, emergency blanket, etc. just in case we have to evacuate...

Should a tornado come through our area (it does happen) we have a "safe room" NOT a panic room but a safe room. That has sleeping bags, food and water as well as other emergency supplies...

It NEVER hurts to be prepared.

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Always better safe than sorry. If you don't need it now, you may in the future.

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I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and we ALWAYS had an emergency kit packed. You get plenty of warning for hurricanes, but having water, food, basic first aid and extra clothing is never a bad idea.

We were evacuated for Hurricane Andrew in the 90's. Honestly? We went to Disney World for the weekend (already had the reservations) and it didn't even rain there!

My parents and sisters are prepared, but after a while you stop panicking about the storms. It becomes a part of life. Definitely get the kit though-

First Aid
2 sets of clothing for everyone
Tons of water
Both car gas tanks full
Food
Basic toiletry items (including female items)
Batteries
Flashlights
Candles
Fill the gas tank for your grill too (great way to cook the stuff in the fridge if you lose power)

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My favorite book is by Peggy Layton. If they don't have it at your libraby you can do inner-library loan. She is a Home Ec. graduate and writes a whole slew of books on food storage and planning for emergencies.

My favorite one is:
http://peggylayton.net/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow...

It's logical, laid out well, the check lists in the back are real. Not "how many gallons of wheat do you have on hand, but more of what do you like to eat and how much of it do you eat in a week, take that and multiply it then you know how much you need on hand for X amount of weeks or months.

So many of my friends buy food in bulk and store it. I often felt like a failure because I don't own a wheat mill to make my own flour. After reading her books I felt so much better about myself and about how "I" needed to be prepared for emergencies.

I now have 72 hour kits for each family member, the kids have coloring books, snacks, juice boxes, batteries for their portable DVD players and other games they might want to take if we had to leave home quickly, we have blankets and boots in them in cooler weather and tee shirts and socks and athletic shoes in hotter weather.

Tornado's, massive grass fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, they can all happen and destroy our homes and our lives. Being prepared is not silly, it is smart and loving to take the time and make the effort to keep them fed and entertained if you are staying in strange shelter with nothing provided.

Each time I fine tuned my plan I kept thinking about all the TV channels focusing on hurricane Katrina and how many people were at the stadium, they had no diapers, no water, minimal food, they were wet and cold and needed basic humane sustenance. They were suffering. I don't ever want to live through a time where I cannot give water to my family and they go thirsty for days.

What about the families in Joplin MO, that tornado came and flattened parts of their whole town. There were no shelters readily available. My friends that live in that area keep their 72 hour kits in their cars and have their excess stuff that can be grabbed in a few minutes in the garage on shelves at the front of their vehicle. Things like tents, propane burner table top grills, basically camping stuff and more food stuff for extended time away, and lots of tubs of extra so they can help others.

I think you are making good choices for your family.

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I live in N. Va. We are 4 hours from the coast. In 2003 Hurricane Isabel came up the coast, hooked a left and came up the middle of VA. There were trees down, flooding, lots of damage. We were without power for a week. So you are not overreacting to prepare.

Do not get extra perishables for a hurricane. If you lose power, you lose those.

This list is regardless, stay or go.
Fuel - make sure all of your cars are as close to full tank as possible.
Cash - you should have @ $200 cash, if possible.
Insurance papers - if you leave, take a copy of your insurance policy.
Pictures - take pics of your house, rooms, etc. for insurance purposes.
Medical cards
Manual can opener
Gallon of water for each family member
If you have a baby in diapers - place them in large ziploc bags
Paper plates, plastic ware
Trash bags
Canned food - tuna, Chef B, Soups, powdered milk/carnation milk.
Cereals, crackers ... non-messy snacks.

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Hey--you never know. Better to be safe than sorry. Your husband will be begging you for a granola bar! LOL
Seriously, we lost a mom and two kids and a senior citizen in Pittsburgh, PA due to flash flooding and poor drainage last week.......the water overtook the car so fast they couldn't get out. :(
Here's the story:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11232/1168692-53.stm

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It never hurts to be prepared.
Food you don't have to cook is good (peanut butter, granola bars, etc) in case there's no power.
Water - if you have room in your freezer, take a few clean gallon milk jugs, fill 2/3 with water and freeze them. If the power is out awhile, take one jug at a time from freezer to put in your fridge side. - it'll help keep your food cold plus you can drink the water as it melts.
Batteries (for flash lights) or some of those crank flash lights work really well.
A radio (there are those that charge with a crank, too).
At this point it looks like Irene will skirt the coast so it should be over pretty quickly but you might still get a lot of rain as fallout.
I'm hoping it dumps enough rain on us to put out some swamp fires we've had burning for awhile - everyone's getting tired of all the smoke.

My wife and I have a "72 hour kit". We've had one for years. Its always easy to get to and can be grabbed in two minutes on our way to our car. I have my medicines in a 7-day box. So on my way out the door, I grab my medicines and the 72 hour kit.

Our 72 hour kit has every thing we think we will need to live for 72 hours. Matches in a waterproof box, candles, flash light, water, cans of no-cook soup (and can opener), energy bars, sleeping bag, clean socks, first aid kit, light jackets and $50 in cash (ones and fives). We have a box of gallon zip lock bags and several large trash bags. (A large trash bag can be cut/torn to make an emergency rain coat.)

I hope I will never need my 72 hour kit, but I have it. We check the contents of our 72 hour kit once a year to make sure everything is ok and to rotate the food and water.

Good luck to you and yours.