[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by toymeister

i was in an area that had some cluster tornados which took lives, property and a series of high tension power towers leaving hundreds of thousands without power for six days.

I can assure that you will have water as the water in the towers provide water by gravity.

Based upon that experience i have the same level of preparedness now as i did then.

1. One dozen mres
2. 1,000 watt generator
3. 2,500 watt generator
4. Vehicles and cart with full tanks
5. Ten gallons of gasoline

what actually happened to us..

Power went out leaving us in darkness,with storm raging. My daughter and wife looked at me with fear in their eyes. 'lets have a hot dinner before i get the tv and internet up'. In that moment they thought that i was mentally ill.

The 1000 genny gives you: Internet, tv, fans, fridge, microwave and if you have a tankless water heater, hot water. It was like camping in a very nice pop-up with electric.

The larger genny will run a small ac unit but uses more fuel.

In my situation few neighbors purchased huge gennys from out of state but they fell silent when they couldn't keep up with their voracious fuel needs.

This should give you some idea if you think ahead you can be well prepared.

As i write this i fully expect some google powered expert will post some link how this many electronic devices can be powered by such a small generator. I can assure that this is not the case. Certainly we did have inconvenience but we had ample comforts to be comfy with out the huge expense of a whole home generator.

did you forgo a natural gas generator?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

The generator sits outside. Extension cords run in the window, the crack is sealed by wash cloths. The home is protected by battery backed up carbon monoxide detectors, just as your's is.

A 1000 watt generator is 50cc. A 7500 watt generator uses a 420 cc engine, or 840% more carbon monoxide.

Details matter, this is just one small example.

You can buy flat extension cords too, designed to fit under doors so they can still close. Couldn't find any locally but ordered up two from Amazon, 50", 16-gauge. They'll run anything in the house except the A/C.

[LAFwUs]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Where can I get sandbags in The Villages I'm very concerned that there are no steps and driving rain could enter the home through front door and garage

Firestations often have them, but dont be surprised if they have ran out. Lowes/Homedepot sell them.
If all else fails...normal hefty type trash bags, even plastic grocery bags will work. Fill about half way, roll them up on the selves, like a carpet.
Under your grass lawn, is most likely sand, which can be used to fill said trash bags / make shift sand bags - again all else fails and you need to stop water asap. I'd rather repair a section of the lawn postly, then replace furniture, carpet, drywall or whatever else got ruined due to water intrusion in the home, but that's just me.

[asianthree]

In a few hours we are heading to Disney, staying 3 days. Not for an evacuation, but planned trip with 20 out of state friends.

[Djean1981]

Originally Posted by asianthree

In a few hours we are heading to Disney, staying 3 days. Not for an evacuation, but planned trip with 20 out of state friends.

I'm surprised that Disney doesn't close to help keep travelers off the roads ..

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by daniel200

Just curious how this is setup. Do you run the generator outside? From what I understand the fumes make them unsafe to run in your garage. How do you get power from the generator to your different devices without leaving the doors open?

You need extension cords. Probably run cord under the garage door. Do not plug into your electrical system to distribute power as this could hurt someone repairing the lines.

[Vermilion Villager]

Latest models now seeing a shift to the East. Tampa is under mandatory evacuation in certain areas. McDill AFB is evacuating. East track not good for TV. Still too soon to tell. The one saving grace is no matter where the storm hits it will be over cooler water and weakening.

[Hardlyworking]

We are currently cruising Glacier Bay National Park in AK. Not much we can do from here but my neighbors are gracious enough to watch over our house and batten down any hatches that remain unbattened. We will be watching from afar with fingers crossed. Stay safe.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

I'm surprised that Disney doesn't close to help keep travelers off the roads ..

Disney closed for 2 days durning Irma. Plus filled their hotels with those who had to evacuate, pets and all. Just got an update from them, about adding to stay, or leaving early, will be no penalty. Disney handles storms well

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

I'm surprised that Disney doesn't close to help keep travelers off the roads ..

Closing Disney would put a lot of people ON the roads.

Disney handles storms well.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I'm more curious how you'd get TV and internet if the connection to the TV stations, and the connection to the internet outside the house has no electricity. They are all powered by electricity.

Electricity in your house won't get internet access to a server that has no electricity.

Extension cords. Modem, TV, I have several cords to power all. In reality in an emergency you will live in the LR and MBR.

Specifically, the extension cords are laid out this way:
-one 50' cord terminating in six outlets. This leads inside and powers everything inside.

-one 50' cord outside to the tankless water heater, this powers the electronics of the gas powered heater

In the home pluged into the cord to the generator there is:

one cord leads to the kitchen to power the fridge and router

One leads to the LR to power the TV and a light

The final interior cord runs to power a fan and a light in the MBR.

If your counting there are three more outlets for a floater cord to power whatever you need.
Each of the three interior cords terminates in a three outlet cord.

I use 12 gauge extension cords

In the power outage that I lived through there was internet. Near our home there was a small utility type of box that had a small generator running, looking back it was probably the cable/internet backup generator

[retiredguy123]

Buy some good flashlights that use AA batteries. The D size will be sold out. I use the lithium type batteries that you can buy at Sam's or Amazon. Also, buy some plug in emergency lights that come on when there is a power outage, and can also be used as a flashlight. Not night lights, which go out when there is a power outage. I learned that the hard way.

[Babsjeanie]

Any thoughts on taking water out of the pool. Was told by Patriot not to take any water out. Doing so could damage the motor if below the skimmer. I was concerned about the overflow.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Babsjeanie

Any thoughts on taking water out of the pool. Was told by Patriot not to take any water out. Doing so could damage the motor if below the skimmer. I was concerned about the overflow.

Are the pool chemicals safe to drink? Or if not drinking what would you do with the water you take out?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Are the pool chemicals safe to drink? Or if not drinking what would you do with the water you take out?

Flushing water. If needed