A Sunday to Take Stock on Hurricane Supplies

This is a long post and a long list of to dos and don'ts to think on as those two tropical waves sit out there colored in orange for possible development. This Sunday, while you go shop for school supplies it might be a good time to look at your hurricane list and take it with you, stock up and add to your supplies.

Publix has peanut butter.. buy one get one free! Put one in the pantry and stick one in your hurricane supplies closet for instance!

This is a serious list with some comic notes but honest ones.. ones you won't hear them say on the Tropical Update.

This would be an excellent time to take stock of your hurricane supplies and make a plan for you and your family. That includes family members who live far away and will worry on you when they turn on the TV and find out that Tampa Bay is under a Hurricane Warning and suddenly worry on how little Johnny is down at USF. Or Mikey at UM. Or Tulia at Tulane. Or well.. you can't the ideal. Good old Great Aunt Tilly in Tamarac living with her 3rd husband she met at Country Line Dancing at the JCC who never thinks to call her family up in Chicago and let them know "I am fine, me and Billy Bob are going to be staying at the Hurricane Shelter set up at the local High School so don't you worry your pretty little heads."

Every season some relative somewhere far from the Hurricane Belt lies awake staring at CNN and TWC worrying on some relative living, retired or going to college in Florida, Texas or some city in the path of the storm. That old high school heart throb who you never got over who didn't have the decency to leave Miami like everyone else did or you long, lost best friend who you keep meaning to call.

Please... anyone living in the Miami, Melbourne or Mobile please call your loved ones in Minneapolis and let them know where you will be for the weather event.

My first memory of Andrew was when my old, best friend from my California days called me up from Vegas at 2am and asked me "Are you really having a hurricane there cause I'm watching TWC .." and I looked around half asleep on the water bed where I had fallen asleep with my ex-husband and heard the roar of the wind.I must have slept an hour or two, exhausted from 2 days of non-stop preparation and waiting for the end of the world to happen. I was like...and I swear I said this.. "Oh... wow, listen to the wind, I gotta go now.. We're having a hurricane!!!" and hung up and jumped up and ran into the hall to make sure that the kids were all okay where they were hunkered down in our make shift "Hurricane Shelter" leaving Shawn to watch TWC and in about 15 minutes all hell broke loose outside. The last thing I remember was her sounding like Auntie Em or the Professor in the Wizard of Oz saying "you take care now and be careful"

Poor Shawn. Am sure she stayed up praying and watching TWC. I didn't have TWC for about 6 weeks or more after Andrew.

So... on top of my to do list would be to tell your loved ones where you will be staying for the storm and to have one family relative relay that news to others so they don't use up all of your cell phone battery calling to ask where you are when they turn on their favorite News channel.

Trust me...when that cell phone battery is dead it is dead. And, it will be a while before you can recharge your phone.

NOTE to yourself!! Buy a few extra cell phone batteries maybe and keep them well charged going into that storm!

Oh.. the laptop battery will be really hard to re-charge also. By now you are wondering how much a really, cheap generator is just to work your coffee machine of choice, cell phone and laptop computer. (Did I mention the networks may be down so you might not be able to get service or online but hey a good cup of coffee is worth it's weight in gold!

Oh and if your favorite choice of hair color is Golden Red or Chestnut Brown or Expresso Black not mousy brown or salt and pepper gray than you might want to pick up your favorite hair color and do your hair when the storm is about 3 days out. IF it hits you won't have to worry about what do to when the power is out and either way you will look your best before, after and during the storm. Trust me.. Lucy would have run to the beauty parlor rather than let anyone know what her real color was, even Ethel didn't know for sure ;)

Note here are the models for the Invest that is not yet totally organized but might be next Sunday and headed your way...so this is a very good Sunday to take stop and go shopping for Hurricane Supplies.



So...here is my list. I am highlighting a few that I feel are most important and adding a few that are not on the lists but that are practical "duh" sort of things that should be on there as in the rush to get water and Twinkies you might forget the necessities of life.

Air Fresheners.. after a storm you will need it. Go Aerosol or go Green and use scented candles just make sure you have a few.. trust me. The food going bad in your fridge and garbage that isn't picked up right away begins to smell, along with dirty clothes and dirty diapers... your neighbor's decaying wet furniture and carpet he threw out also smells rancid, trust me. If you are gong to stay.. get air fresheners.

Aspirin. Duh... keep them close. Or whatever pain killer you use most frequently.

Asthma Inhalers. See moldy decaying food and garbage, keep them ON YOU at all times. If you use them.. don't lose them.

Baby Wipes. You don't need a baby for baby wipes, they are invaluable after a storm when water is rationed and you get sticky situations of any kid.

Batteries. Lots of them. Kids games, radios, small tv sets that go through batteries faster than your kid goes through milk and cereal.

Beer. Ration it.. don't party but a beer can take the edge off of worrying on whether the storm is really to the south of your city or if it will take a sharp right turn and... a little bit of the brew is good. May as well use it, it won't stay cold after the storm has passed by...

Boat. Honestly, most lists say that if you are worried on flooding make sure you know where your inflatable raft is located. (Who keeps inflatable rafts in Miami??) If you have a boat make sure it floats now before the storm hits. Duh.. but keep it on your list.


Canned Milk or buy Soy Milk better in mini cartons, buy whichever one you like. If it's just you alone you might want to buy the small packs so that when you are done with one the others will stay fresh as you won't want to be opening your fridge too often when the electric is off. The small ones are more expensive but worth the money if there are not too many of you who are going to finish off a meal with one use.

Canned Veggies, Canned Tuna, Salmon and a CAN OPENER is a MUST!
Or buy those little fish packs and keep your handy scissors near by.
Dentists aren't open after hurricanes for a while.

CASH! ATM machines don't work immediately after the storm so if you have any left after filling up your vehicle and buying hurricane supplies keep the cash as close to your heart as possible. If you are busty... keep it where the sun don't shine. If not make sure your pockets don't have holes. Keep it on you.

Cooking Supplies. Figure out now how you will cook if you are staying. Sterno, BBQ Grill or some improvised method. My kids made fun of me but I found some metal holder and made a make shift Sterno like kit to heat food, it worked. Hot water is hot water. Did I mention Instant Coffee? I will later.

Crayons. If you have children.... get lots of crayons. They don't need batteries and can keep a child and a nervous adult quiet through a storm coloring. After the storm let them make a book of things they see, ration the game boys and use crayons often.

Condoms
This may go without saying but you are alone, tired, exhausted and the cable isn't working, the computer isn't working, you have no work to go to for a few days and you will make good use of them. Trust me you will not have to use them to make balloon animals to keep the kids busy. If you don't want to name a child after this season's favorite hurricane name let the kids play with the crayons while you play with your partner. If you don't have a partner.. buy batteries, the crayons won't be much of a help. (Hey I tell it like it is... the NHC isn't going to go THERE... )

Diapers. Lots of them. Please note if you don't use the above mentioned condoms you will be buying lots of diapers next year for little Hanna and Marco!!!

Duct Tape. No kit is complete without Duct Tape it will hold your life together after the storm. Did you never watch Apollo 13?

Emergency Medical Kit. This cannot be mentioned enough. This is where you put your band aids, anti-bacteria cream, hydrogen peroxide, etc. IF you have an older child or Aunt Tillie is staying with you let them take care of it.. gives them something to do and you will know where it is in an emergency.

First Aid Supplies. I said it above.. cannot be mentioned enough. Make sure you have your meds, extra meds of all kinds and bandages of all sizes. Put a small scissor in it also as it will help in an emergency. If you live on Sinus Pain Relief, keep it in there as well.

Flashlights. Of all kinds and sizes. Do not rely on your cell phone to light up a room if you want to preserve that cell phone's battery. Give kids their own flashlights. It makes them feel as if they are in control in some small measure.

GPS helps if you have one, why I am not sure but every guy will want them.

Hurricane Lamps. If you can get one.. even the battery operated kind they are good. LED ones last longer. And, if you have a child who is afraid of the dark or claustrophobic in a house with hurricane shutters up... let him keep the lamp nearby safely. LED is safer but they break easily.

Hurricane Shutters. If you are staying put please make sure that they stay put as well and protect your home and shelter.

Ice Cream. I know this sounds silly but my mother always buys a container of Tofutti. When my brother yells at her and reminds her the electric will go off she explains she will sit up with half melted chocolate tofuttti and she will be happier. This is her version I suppose of Beer.. To each his own. Mentioning it, it's a cheap thrill and keeps her happy.

Important Papers. Make sure they are in a water proof container and easy to find and take with you if you need to leave. If possible, copy your most important ones and send them to a relative you trust outside of the hurricane zone but who isn't directly in the path of a tornado. Think Canada ;)

Insurance Papers... easy to say "duh" but you'd be surprised people think birth certificates and such and don't think of the little important details.

So..that's my A - I List. I will do M - Z later.

Please note this list needs to be tailor made to your own needs. If you are writer keep paper and pens with you. If you have pets make sure you have extra pet supplies. If you have small children.. you have special needs.

The list from the Hurricane Center is your most basic list. It is a guide to use to start with but from there you need to make your own plan including a last minute evacuation plan in case you decide to leave and not stay. If you stay you don't need blankets as you have them but you might need a hatchet to get out through the roof in case of flooding... remember the warning before Katrina that I am sure saved many people's lives. If you live in an area inland prone to flooding you have special needs that people close to the shore worrying on storm surge. And, if you plan to evacuate inland... be careful you do not evacuate to an area prone to flooding. Yes, this has happened before.

If you are in an area that does not require evacuating, do not evacuate but plan for your needs there. You can always decide after the storm when you get a better idea how long you will for sure go without electric and decide on sending the kiddies to Aunt Tillie for a visit. So many people evacuated Houston in Rita that they clogged the roads for people who really needed to go. And, the same went for Miami when people I know jammed in their cars, jammed up the highways and tried to drive to NY to outrun some storm moving towards Florida only to not be able to find gas on the highway and be stranded in some town far from Miami that did NOT get the storm. Wasted money, wasted energy, wasted high blood pressure and wasted time.

The National Hurricane Center does a very good job of offering information far in advance of the storm. If the storm is set to hit Jacksonville there is no reason to think it will suddenly veer SSW and hit Miami or vice versa.



http://media.keysnet.com/smedia/2008/07/14/16/HurricaneSeason
2008-100ppi.source.prod_affiliate.143.pdf

Here is the NHC list below. And the really excellent list put out by the Keynoter from Key West. If you can print out their guide in PDF form and sit back with a Margarita and relax and pretend you took a Key West vacation.

As for the tropics today.. we are watching westbound tropical waves that have an enhanced chance of developing into Fay so... now is the time to stock up!

Today is the day! Next Sunday it may be a little busy at your local grocery store and Walmart may be out of Water as people see named storms headed their way and go into panic mode.

Be well... make a list and make a plan.

Bobbi
Some official lists below..

http://media.keysnet.com/smedia/2008/07/14/16/HurricaneSeason2008-100ppi.source.
prod_affiliate.143.pdf

Early in the hurricane season you should:
•Develop a family plan for hurricane survival.
•Plan what you will do with your pet if a hurricane threatens.
•Inventory personal property, and safely secure all records and valuable documents (consider a safety
deposit box).
•Obtain the necessary materials to protect your windows and doors - SHUTTERS ARE A MUST!
•Trim trees and branches; remove coconuts and other yard debris (beware of powerlines).
•Check your roof and the structure of your house. Make necessary repairs.
•Check your fire extinguishers.
•Make arrangements to secure your boat.
•Identify a friend or family member that you will keep informed about how you are doing. Instruct other
friends and family members to get this information from them. This person must live in an area that will
not be threatened by the hurricane.
-Portable radio with extra batteries.
-Flashlights with extra batteries.
-First Aid kit.
-Portable ice chest.
-Canned and non-perishable food.
-Emergency cooking supplies and utensils.
-Drinking water storage containers.
-Emergency repair supplies.
-Medicines and sanitary supplies, including extra
diapers.
-Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
-Phone directory of people you may need to contact.
WHEN A HURRICANE THREATENS
Any time a tropical weather system threatens Monroe County:
•Monitor local radio broadcasts for emergency information. Emergency Management recommends that
every family have a NOAA Weather Radio also.
•Re-check all emergency supplies and equipment to be sure that you have enough supplies, and that
everything is in good working order. You should be able to be self-sufficient for a minimum of two
weeks.
•Fill your car’s fuel tank and check the oil, water, and battery.
•Secure your storm window shutters, tape windows to minimize flying glass, make any other necessary
repairs.
•Locate the main cut-off switches for electricity, water and gas. That way, when there is a problem, such
as a water pipe breaking, you’ll know how to turn the water supply off. Secure LP gas tanks.
•Secure your boat immediately.
•If you have not done so already, secure all essential records and documents in a safe, water-tight
place.
•If you do not have a car, make arrangements with a friend, relative or neighbor to go with them to a
shelter or evacuate to the mainland.
•Be prepared to evacuate upon the recommendation or order of Emergency Management.
• Emergency services including Fire, Rescue, EMS and Police will most likely be temporarily suspended
during a hurricane impact.
URGES EVERYONE TO Be Hurricane Prepared!
Category 3, 4 & 5 hurricanes that have affected the Keys in the last 100 years


http://media.keysnet.com/smedia/2008/07/14/16/HurricaneSeason
2008-100ppi.source.prod_affiliate.143.pdf

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

pecial Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and lea