Storm Preparations - Erika May Hit Florida

[dbussone]

We have many new residents in TV who may never have been exposed to hurricanes and related weather issues. I urge all to take action today to become prepared. Even if we are not hit by a hurricane itself, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes may still impact us. The link below will take you to a FEMA page that tells you what basics you need to become prepared. Please take action today. Even if Erika fizzles out, we will experience one sooner or later.
Build A Kit | Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

[Taltarzac725]

We have many new residents in TV who may never have been exposed to hurricanes and related weather issues. I urge all to take action today to become prepared. Even if we are not hit by a hurricane itself, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes may still impact us. The link below will take you to a FEMA page that tells you what basics you need to become prepared. Please take action today. Even if Erika fizzles out, we will experience one sooner or later.
Build A Kit | Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

Good suggestion.

[Chatbrat]

Very Important, fill bathtub with water-if power goes out, water pressure goes away-need water for flushing.

[graciegirl]

Very Important, fill bathtub with water-if power goes out, water pressure goes away-need water for flushing.



I am sure that many didn't know that. That is very useful to know. I am waiting to hear any advice from folks who have been through one of these events.

We have water and non perishable food for several days, but filling the gas tank would be wise.

[dbussone]

I am sure that many didn't know that. That is very useful to know. I am waiting to hear any advice from folks who have been through one of these events.

We have water and non perishable food for several days, but filling the gas tank would be wise.


Here is more info.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

[dbussone]

First Aid Kit

In any emergency a family member or you yourself may suffer an injury. If you have these basic first aid supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones when they are hurt.

Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. You may consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination.

Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to Latex
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
Antibiotic ointment
Burn ointment
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
Thermometer
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
Non-prescription drugs:

Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid
Laxative
Other first aid supplies:

Scissors
Tweezers
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

[dbussone]

Additional Emergency Supplies

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the following items:

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) (PDF - 977Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or free information from this web site.
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper � When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
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Prepare

[bobbym]

We went threw Hurricane Wilma back in 2005 when when we were in Fort Lauderdale we were with out power for three days. The first night people were out stealing gas from other people’s cars because they never thought if the power goes out you won’t be buying gas. We had a pool so we could scoop water from the pool to flush the toilet. The stores were closed because the power was out so you couldn’t buy food. I’m sure this tropical storm will not be that bad but if it does get ugly you will be glad that you filled your gas tank, set some drinking water aside, stocked some food and filled your bath tub so you have water to flush the toilet with. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[njbchbum]

I am sure that many didn't know that. That is very useful to know. I am waiting to hear any advice from folks who have been through one of these events.

We have water and non perishable food for several days, but filling the gas tank would be wise.

Suggest getting cash from the bank so that it is in small denominations - ATMS and most store cash registers will not work if there is no power.

Freeze water in plastic bottles/bags/containers to keep in freezer and fridge to protect perishables, medications and ice cubes for cocktails!

Don't just fill the car with gas - make sure the golf cart and lp grill tank are filled, too. Hosting a neighborhood perishables roast can be a good time if ya lose power for an extender period of time - and haven't taken advantage of the tip to have frozen containers of water in the fridge and freezer! ;)

[golf2140]

We were living in T.V during 2004 and 2005 hurricanes. We never lost power. Some Oak trees knocked over and some other minor damage.

[Callaway Guy]

Thanks for all the great info. It'll be an experience for us Midwestern folk.

[ugotme]

DON'T PANIC

As Bobbym mentioned, I lost power from Wilma for 9 days.

Things are better today because a lot of gas stations and Publix have generators. Best thing I can tell you is -in addition to above - purchase non-perishables such as soups, tuna fish, pasta/jar sauce etc. and put in a box in your house or garage. After the season is over you can use everything in there.

EXCEPT for the jar sauce - Man do I dislike that!!!! LOL

One silly thing I learned is that if power is out, unravel your hose open the water and leave it out in the sun. Better than a real cold shower!

Oh, one more thing, weather people always, ALWAYS talk the extreme. I am sure they are trying to be safe but that is why I started with
DON'T PANIC!

[NY_Newbie]

Stay safe everyone!

[Matzy]

We are survivor of 6 hurricanes in Miami area. Take the recommendation seriously, we have had the experience with 12 days without power (means also no water because of the pumps weren't working). National Guard did a very good job to provide us with bottled water and ice even we had to wait sometimes 6-7 hours in line.

[dbussone]

We are survivor of 6 hurricanes in Miami area. Take the recommendation seriously, we have had the experience with 12 days without power (means also no water because of the pumps weren't working). National Guard did a very good job to provide us with bottled water and ice even we had to wait sometimes 6-7 hours in line.

Excellent advice

[kittygilchrist]

Not worried.
Forecast update: Tropical Storm Erika 2015 projected path shifts westward | AL.com (http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/tropical_storm_erika_2015_proj_1.html)
Path update.
Where oh where will she land, if Fl is even hit.
This is not even a hurricane.
I am a Floridian, and know We in the center of state are unlikely to have major problems from this.
Y'all prepare.
I AM concerned aboutmy brother's house on the waterfront at Crystal River.

[CT514s]

All great suggestions ! After living in Naples during Charlie and Wilma I also learned to fill plastic baggies or containers with ice cubes several days prior to keep in the freezer. If we lose power this will help to keep your freezer cold and hopefully lose less.

[njbchbum]

All great suggestions ! After living in Naples during Charlie and Wilma I also learned to fill plastic baggies or containers with ice cubes several days prior to keep in the freezer. If we lose power this will help to keep your freezer cold and hopefully lose less.

And those bagged cubes are always available for cocktails! ;)

[Shadow8IA]

We own a home in The Villages but aren't there now. We have nothing outside that can blow away. Other than having neighbors check for downed trees, broken windows from flying objects and the food in the ref/freezer is there anything we should be having checked?

[john1953]

We have a really nice and quiet generator.Its noise level is below the level of a normal conversation.It will run our refrigerator some lights an a portable AC unit.A tank of gas runs for 19 hours straight.Its a Yamaha EF3000ISEB.Use to have this in our RV.It really is a life saver.

[asianthree]

Up north we are use to power outages for up to 10 days, dead of winter or hot summer. We use a contractor grade generator. I can run most of the house including cable. Our lights are always on. We have emergency bag ready for on the fly evac just in case

[dbussone]

Up north we are use to power outages for up to 10 days, dead of winter or hot summer. We use a contractor grade generator. I can run most of the house including cable. Our lights are always on. We have emergency bag ready for on the fly evac just in case

Generators are really useful. We had a "whole house" generator before we moved to TV. It ran on natural gas. Unfortunately there are no gas lines south of 466A so we left it behind.