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Originally Posted by JSRusso
Hi everyone, I am new here in the Lake Denham area. I have never had to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane and was hoping to get some advice from you all. What if anything should I have on hand, and any other helpful advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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One of the worst things that may happen is you lose your power. While you can, get a large plastic container with a lid, fill it with water and freeze it. This will help keep your food cool a little longer. When the power goes out, do not open the door until necessary.
Do you have a bathtub? Fill it with water. You may need it to flush your toilet, wash some clothes, or other uses. If you find you do not have to use it, water your plants. No sense in wasting all the water down the drain. Do not use as ddrinking water!
Fill containers with water for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth, making coffee etc. Sometimes, water gets contaminated. Bottled water is not enough.
You may not have electricity for days. It is hot as hell in your house, no lights, no stove, no television, no internet, no way to store perishable food. I don't wish power loss on my worst enemy, it is that bad! Find a fix for these things while you can. Living without is going to test your nerves.
Charge all your phones and tablets before the hurricane and have an emergency charger for back up. Your relatives and friends will want to call to check up. If they can't reach you, they will panic. Also, you may need to call them or to call 911.
Stock up on batteries for flashlights, lanterns, radio etc.
Don't panic if you lose electricity. Volunteer trucks from other states head to our border before the hurricane hits. They wait in a safe area and enter as soon as the hurricane passes. Trucks will be in your area quicker than you think. As long as there is no damage, your power will be restored immediately. Sometimes, it may take longer. But, they will work long shifts to get the job done.
Place all your important papers and medications in a waterproof bag. Put them in a place where you can grab them quickly if you have to leave.
You may have roof damage and leaks. Have buckets or containers ready to catch the water.
Unplug all unnecessary electric items and cover your outside HVAC if possible.
Pack some clothes or have them ready to pack.
Make sure your car's gas tank is full. Sometimes, there is a gas shortage for a day or two.
Eat food from refrigerator and freezer now. It may spoil if power goes out.
Can you tell I experienced many hurricane aftermaths? Some will advise you it is a waste of time to prepare. I tell you "life is hell if you don't!" I learned this the hard way. Don't be a fool! Better to have than have not.
Most importantly, do not believe your power will not go out because they are underground. Have you seen the large towers and lines that run down the turnpike? They are not underground, are they? Need I say more? Hope not.