Hurricane Survival Kits

[tomkat]

The recent rain, coupled with the potential for tropical weather based on storms currently developing in the Caribbean, makes me wonder what I should have on hand regarding a hurricane survival kit.

Can anyone suggest what we need in terms of resources that would help us get through the aftermath of a hurricane? My concern would be for my family as well as my pets.

[angiefox10]

The recent rain, coupled with the potential for tropical weather based on storms currently developing in the Caribbean, makes me wonder what I should have on hand regarding a hurricane survival kit.

Can anyone suggest what we need in terms of resources that would help us get through the aftermath of a hurricane? My concern would be for my family as well as my pets.


http://villages.wordpress.com/

[logdog]

We've survived 3 Cat 4 hurricanes while living in the Florida Panhandle. Each time, we lost power, communications and water for about a week and roads were closed. Remember, hurricane season is at it's peak in late Sept and early Oct and no power means no A/C and refrigerator. Our hurricane kit included lots of water, food, batteries plus all kinds of first aid stuff, a battery powered radio and flashlights.

Here, we are so far inland that we only need to worry about tropical storm winds and tornadoes. If the power goes out, it won't last a day. We always keep extra batteries on hand and still have our radio. There's always food in the house. No need to stock up on water because you'll have plenty of warning to fill up your own containers. Keep a cooler handy to fill up with ice. Make sure plenty of beer is at the bottom of the cooler. Have some red wine that doesn't need to be chilled near by. Check on your neighbors and bring along the cooler and red wine.

[dillywho]

Also, be sure you have plenty of your prescription meds on hand because it's not safe to be out even if you can find an open pharmacy. Be sure your car tank is full and you have a little cash, because in the case of power outages, ATMs and gas pumps don't work. That's one advantage to having our utilities underground, though; as long as they can get the feeder stations back on line, the outages are usually not that long. In 2004, when we first moved here, I think ours was out during one storm around 12 hours.

We may be inland and not really subject to direct hits from the hurricanes, but hurricanes do spawn tornadoes everywhere. I come from tornado country and that's what really scares me. At least with hurricanes, you get lots of warning. Not so with tornadoes.

[NJblue]

If you don't already have a car charger for your cell phone, you may want to buy one so they can recharge your phone.

[JenAjd]

Will the weather be somewhat like the rain/storm that we had Friday night but longer in duration?? Having never been in an area that has the effects from a hurricane really wonder what to expect here in The Villages. Does everything shut down? Will evacuations be recommended?? We moved here from where tornadoes are common and that is probably the worst thing I fear here re: weather!!!

Just listening to the 11:00 news and it sounds like Irene could be headed this way by the end of the week.

[gmcneill]

Yes, inland tropical storm weather could be much like you describe. Then again, might not be as intense a rain fall, just steady and prolonged. You can never be certain if the event will be more wind, more rain, or both.

I have some experience in this topic as one of my work duties is to serve on my city's emergency response team. The posts in this thread contain a lot of good information, go real easy on the alcohol beverages, right logdog ;).

Things to consider: 1. designate one person outside of Florida to be your SOLE contact person in the event if TV weather emergency. You contact that person when you are able; that person serves as info central for rest of family/friends. Streamlines and simplifies things for you; reduces the traffic on telephones/cell towers systemwide. 2. Be sure to safeguard irreplaceable items such as photos, letters, drawings by grandchildren, etc. Those items usually have greater value than material things. Ziplock bags, Tupperware-type containers wrapped in plastic wrap work great. 3. Get powdered drink mixes to flavor your water. Plain water is a life-saver but its blandness gets old quickly (trust me on that). The pleasant taste of the mix is a small luxury. I carry Gatorade bc of extra benefits of the sport drink

[JenAjd]

Again....having not experienced a hurricane wanted to ask this from folks who've lived here in TV for some time how large a concern it is. When we were considering living here that question came up and we were told that living in the middle of the state was safe. So why do we need "survival kits"? I know of folks who've moved here from the coast(s) to be safe. What I'm reading here seems like we almost should evacuate if it's going to be THAT bad!!!

[elevatorman]

The recent rain, coupled with the potential for tropical weather based on storms currently developing in the Caribbean, makes me wonder what I should have on hand regarding a hurricane survival kit.

Can anyone suggest what we need in terms of resources that would help us get through the aftermath of a hurricane? My concern would be for my family as well as my pets.

http://www.floridahurricane.net/

[GeorgeT]

Again....having not experienced a hurricane wanted to ask this from folks who've lived here in TV for some time how large a concern it is. When we were considering living here that question came up and we were told that living in the middle of the state was safe. So why do we need "survival kits"? I know of folks who've moved here from the coast(s) to be safe. What I'm reading here seems like we almost should evacuate if it's going to be THAT bad!!!

Jen,

Just think of it as insurance. Also, it never hurts to have a couple of gallons of water, some batteries, flash lights and a spare propane tank for your grill in case you need to empty your fridge. Of course, there are a few more things you would need as others have mentioned.

I don't think you need to worry about your house blowing away. In that case all bets are off.

[kathy and al]

To JenAjd:
Having lived on the Floria east coast from 1972-2007 and personnaly experiencing 8 serious hurricanes (that I can recall), I can assure you that here in Central Florida, you have little to worry about. The most extreme hit would result in minimal inconvenience to you and would be short-lived.
The things to have on hand that others have mentioned on this blog are reasonable but as is the case with your weather reporting stations, they tend to sensationalize the situation just to protect themselves. So relax and don't get too uptight about all of this.
The hurricanes that I have experienced (that come to immediate memory) were:
David'79, Andrew'92, Erin'95, Earl'98, Irene'99 (yes Irene), Frances'04, Jeanne'04, and Wilma'95. Most were cat 3 or better and of course Andrew was a cat 5.

[Figmo Bohica]

What you really need to worry about is a spin off toranado from the storm. Anything below an EF4 you should be able to survive, EF4 and above, good luck. One thing we keep in our safe room, the master closet, is a shovel and a crowbar. If your house is unlucky enought to be hit and damaged, with those two simple tools you can dig your way out, otherwise you might be stuck in there until your neighbors come to check on you. We also have BOB's packed and ready to go. BOB = Bug out Bag. Some cash, emergency rations, flashlight with extra batteries, change of underwear and a place to stash our meds in case of an evac order plus a portable water purification system that is good for 50 gallons of water. The complete bag is about 10 pounds.

Just like buying insurance, something to have that you hope you will never need. Having been through a typhoon while living in Japan that took 22,000 lives it is something that you need to be ready for, but not scared of. Prior planning will help keep you safe.

One thing to think of and about, is have a plan for your street. Once the storm has passed neighbors should check on each other to make sure that everyone is safe. Know what skills your neighbors have, IE., retired medical, etc, in case someone needs just a little more that basic first aid.

Remember, most if not all of your electronics will not work. So your cell phone, until the towers are back up will be unless. We could be on our own from 3 to 7 days or longer depending on the damage caused by the storm.

The suggestion to have extra propane for your grill is an excellent idea. Hot food is a great morale builder.

[islandgal]

Figmo, thank you for your helpful info.

After being here during the 2007 tornado, I worry more about them than I do hurricanes.
Having been though 3 hurricanes, I was concerned by the
lack of advance notice for a tornado vs. a hurricane.
Here are good Lake County and Sumter County guides for hurricane preparedness:

http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/emergencymanagement/emergencyshelters.asp
http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/hurricane_guide/

[dillywho]

Good post, Islandgal. You're right...tornadoes are the real menace for us. Unfortunately, they strike with minimal or no warning by their very nature. Warnings, when you do get them, are minutes not days. I miss the sirens we had in West Texas for them.

[Chi-Town]

My cousin in Lake Wales (Rtes. 27 +60) got hit by Hurricanes Charley, Francis and Jeanne within six or seven weeks in 2004. Since their eyes passed over Lake wales it was hit with hurricane force winds though diminished from the coastal impact. But there was still damage. He said the absolute worst thing was no power for up to a week at a time. No air, no water, no refrigerator. After Charley there was a heat wave for the seven days the power was out. Keep in mind that Lake Wales is still considered the center of the state.

[pauld315]

Had Hurricane Fran hit us here near Raleigh back in 1996. We are a couple hours away from the ocean. Here are my suggestions. Make sure you have batteries for a portable radio. it would be good if you had a generator as you might be without power for an extended period of time. Fill up all the gas tanks for your cars, golf carts etc as the gas stations will not be working with no power. Get cash out of the bank because the ATM's don't work without power. Put anything that is outside and loose into your garage. Bring some ice chests into your house filled with ice. Fill your bathtubs with water. After the storm (which could last hours) be careful outside as there may be power lines down and check on your neighbors Generally, just think of all that would not work in your house and surrounding area if you have no power or water for days and try to be prepared. You also might want to just make some reservations at a hotel not in the path and just go there until the storm passes by and until the electricity is restored.

[pauld315]

Had Hurricane Fran hit us here near Raleigh back in 1996. We are a couple hours away from the ocean. Here are my suggestions. Make sure you have batteries for a portable radio. it would be good if you had a generator as you might be without power for an extended period of time. Fill up all the gas tanks for your cars, golf carts etc as the gas stations will not be working with no power. Get cash out of the bank because the ATM's don't work without power. Put anything that is outside and loose into your garage. Bring some ice chests into your house filled with ice. Fill your bathtubs with water. After the storm (which could last hours) be careful outside as there may be power lines down and check on your neighbors Generally, just think of all that would not work in your house and surrounding area if you have no power or water for days and try to be prepared. You also might want to just make some reservations at a hotel not in the path and just go there until the storm passes by and until the electricity is restored.

Posted the above a week ago or so when it looked like Irene was going to go up Central Florida and would be a nice calm tropical storm by the time it got here in NC. Wouldn't you know that it went off the coast of Florida and is now going to hit NC ! Guess I have some preparations to do. Fortunately for me, it looks like it will hit the coast and then travel northward instead of heading west towards me but we are still going to get a lot of rain and pretty strong winds. As long as the power doesn't get knocked out we will be fine. Keep the folks that are going to be directly hit by this large hurricane in your thoughts and prayers the next few days and during the time it takes to recover.

[Maxman]

Here in the Baltimore MD area we are expecting 80+ mph winds and lots of rain. This is very very unusual for this area. We have had 2 phone calls from our utility company urging people to be prepared with water, flashlights, battery powered radio, and extra batteries. Wow an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week too much!

[pauld315]

Here in the Baltimore MD area we are expecting 80+ mph winds and lots of rain. This is very very unusual for this area. We have had 2 phone calls from our utility company urging people to be prepared with water, flashlights, battery powered radio, and extra batteries. Wow an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week too much!

Maybe locusts next week !