[JWGifford]

On the gulf coast it’s not uncommon for people to cook at lot of the food in the freezer and have a neighborhood party. You avoid having to throw away any expensive food in case of extended power outages and get to spend a little time with your neighbors blowing off some steam before the storm.

[JGibson]

Ambien so you can sleep through it. 😂

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

We are all going to die!

Heh. Maybe. But in the case of ThirdOfFive and his domestic associate, we're gonna die happy. We have enough water for drinking and cooking for two weeks at least, a two-burner camp stove with an adequate supply of gas bottles, a generator and cords long enough to reach the essentials in the house from the driveway where the generator will sit, ample food, electronic toys that will enable us to monitor and communicate with the outside world as needed, bathtub that will be full of water, and best of all three gallons of new pomegranate wine that tests out at over 16% alcohol.

Concerned. Not worried.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

OMG...this storm will pass by Wed afternoon people. RELAX...this is not like a blizzard up north. Just remove all light objects to your garage. You DO NOT need to stock up on anything. It will be gone in about 12 hours. The storm is moving North/West away from the Villages, we are no longer in the cone. Yes, there will be wind gusts and rain, but we are not a direct hit. Probably will not lose elec, all wires are underground.

Hopefully you and others are correct. Good for most of the state as it is headed for less populated areas.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by jimkerr

We haven’t done anything. If we need water we’ll turn on the tap. I heard the grocery stores were packed. It’s so silly.

Have lived in Florida, mostly SE coast, and have never had a situation with no running water. Unless there is an Andrew type hit, water should be OK.

[midiwiz]

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!

Honestly, nothing. been through so many of these, it's just a nothing to us. especially when this isn't landing above a Cat 3. I remember our first one...we boarded up and took off... total waste of time and money. Typically make sure your car is filled up, after that if there are issues after the storm you have a few hundred miles of gas to 'fix' the issue. Which may be getting a hotel room for a night (power and/or water out). We've never had to, but that's just what we do.

[msmr23@gmail.com]

we take our name sign down and open a bottle of wine.

[richinfl]

Keep a cool head and watch the live news broadcasts. In 21 years, we have not had one to hit and do any appreciable damage. Who knows, this one may have our name on it, but presently it shows to come ashore north of Tampa and all we would get is some rain and moderate rain. That can change, but don't let the weather people scare you unnecessarily.

[Travilinggal]

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!

Extra wine and cookies. 🤪

[richdell]

Don't panic.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Heh. Maybe. But in the case of ThirdOfFive and his domestic associate, we're gonna die happy. We have enough water for drinking and cooking for two weeks at least, a two-burner camp stove with an adequate supply of gas bottles, a generator and cords long enough to reach the essentials in the house from the driveway where the generator will sit, ample food, electronic toys that will enable us to monitor and communicate with the outside world as needed, bathtub that will be full of water, and best of all three gallons of new pomegranate wine that tests out at over 16% alcohol.

Concerned. Not worried.

Re: camp stoves
Walmart off 466 has or had mantles for the lanterns. Laying around your garage the ones you used previously are likely broken. I didn't notice any parts. Generators, globes etc. Reminder these things produce carbon monoxide. Should be used outside-on lanai

[Str8line]

Originally Posted by Randall55

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.

Excellent post, thank you Randall.

[NavyVet]

Obviously, most people ensure their devices, like phones, ipads, laptops are charged up/topped off.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned: All you MMTC card holders, don't forget to charge your vape pens, etc. It sure helps me with my anxiety! LOL

[DAVES]

These posts always remind me of the Twilight Zone where a guy is building an atomic fallout shelter and his neighbors are laughing. Then comes a warning of a pending attack and his neighbors all want to get into his shelter.

[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by Velvet

For example, do you leave the BBQ by the wall outside? I am not sure about this.
I have prepared with bottled water, dried food for several days, paper products, a manual generator with extension cords, 10 L gas in cans, charged up the iPhone and the power banks, car tank and cart tank full, checked on the neighbors if anyone needed help.
So far, in 5 years, I’ve never had to use any of it. I also have a Husky “card” table I can use for games or… it is strong enough to hold up the roof if it collapsed. I can get under it in an inner room in case of tornado. Fortunately the house is built high enough so no flooding, no big trees around and power lines are under ground.

Pic and where purchased of the table?