hawkward
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Loss, Infertility
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Post by hawkward on Sept 8, 2018 11:12:11 GMT -6
In continuing with the disaster theme of this move, we may possibly get our first hurricane this coming week. So that's cool. At least H is on his way home finally.
I have my tornado weather emergency kit still- important documents, water, blankets, first aid kit, flashlights, food that doesn't require refrigeration, and a planned place to go in case we get evacuation orders.
Anything else I need to think of that's specific to hurricanes?
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trueblue
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Post by trueblue on Sept 8, 2018 11:31:57 GMT -6
Outside: Tie down or bring in anything that could go flying in the wind. Trim back any low hanging tree limbs or limbs over your house/cars; clear your gutters if they are blocked.
Storm supplies:
Water & other drinks, batteries, weather radio, flashlights, rechargeable battery packs to keep your phones charged, shelf stable food, as much ice as you can store; tarps; first aid kit. ALL the wine or liquor you can find; lighter of some sort; French press. More snacks that you think necessary. Pet food. Cash - small bills. Generator and gas. Disposable plates and cups. I keep a big container of baby wipes on hand in case the water is off or not suitable for bathing.
If you have a gas stove you are good to go, grill and a full propane tank if you don’t.
Bring everything you can into your garage during the storm to protect it from flying debris.
Talk to your neighbors to find out how your area fares in storms. Our area doesn’t flood but we will be out of power for at least 72 hrs for a Cat1, multiples of that for stronger storms.
Keep your gas tank full this week and if you are coastal know your evacuation route. Be ready to leave before the mandatory evacuation order goes into effect or you will likely be stuck in traffic.
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Post by SweetPotato on Sept 8, 2018 11:33:55 GMT -6
I’m not sure where you are, but is flooding a possibility? Or debris breaking your windows?
Otherwise losing power/water are the biggest concerns. Sounds like you’re pretty well prepared
I always try to have battery powered fans, flashlights and extra mosquito repellent too
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Post by courtniko on Sept 8, 2018 11:40:17 GMT -6
The ground can be saturated from previous rain, which means trees can come down pretty easily in the high winds. If you have trees around that can fall toward your house, get some plastic and duct tape for covering windows or a hole in the roof.
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koritto
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Post by koritto on Sept 8, 2018 11:45:37 GMT -6
My first hurricane season in 18 years and we are looking at direct impact if she continues. I’m also 35 weeks pregnant. Just sent H out for stuff since they declared a state of emergency and people will go crazy now.
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Post by donnamoss on Sept 8, 2018 11:46:13 GMT -6
Freeze water bottles and buy ice block things (like for lunch kits). If you lose power, these will hold you over a bit.
With Harvey, we couldn’t get milk for several days, so now we keep extra in the garage fridge and buy the shelf stable Horizon milk as emergency use. My kids love milk.
Charge your power banks for your phone. Keep gas tank full.
If kids are old enough, fill bathtub with water just prior to landfall. You can use for fresh water if needed.
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Post by donnamoss on Sept 8, 2018 11:55:25 GMT -6
I’ve experienced my fair share of TS and Hurricanes. Don’t wait until you get an evacuation order to leave. After Harvey, I will never stay again. Harvey was a complete fluke because it didn’t make landfall anywhere near us...but we still had catastrophic damage to our area. They are just so unpredictable.
We watched Gordon very closely, and we were probably 12 hrs away from making the call to drive to Austin. And it shifted east, and all the models were in sync in where it was headed. So we stayed, and I went on vacation! But it was a close call.
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Post by tavoni on Sept 8, 2018 13:22:06 GMT -6
Rain boots. During the storm is scary, but preparation is really for the aftermath. You may want to go for a walk to survey the neighborhood after it clears out. Do not go in standing water, but rain boots still. I have ruined quite a few pairs of sneakers walking around after storms.
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Post by ladybrienne on Sept 8, 2018 13:22:21 GMT -6
This is what we did for Hurricane Sandy: -filled the bath tub up with water -stock up on bottled water -make sure your phones and electronic devices are charged -buy a few portable phone chargers -stock up on candles, I love the battery operated ones -tie down anything loose outside or bring inside -move your cars away from any trees if they are parked outside -stock up on lots of snacks and wine -make sure all cars are gassed up -get cash out of the atm
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Post by sheilathetank on Sept 8, 2018 14:37:26 GMT -6
Do you have a propane grill? After Sandy I made almost all our meals on the grill until we got power back.I even baked a pie in the grill. If you have pure metal cookware it can go directly on the grates. I always keep baked beans and brown bread around just in case.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Sept 8, 2018 14:59:54 GMT -6
Cool, so this all sounds not a lot different than what we used to do to prepare for severe weather, just more rain!
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Post by tavoni on Sept 8, 2018 15:03:21 GMT -6
Cool, so this all sounds not a lot different than what we used to do to prepare for severe weather, just more rain! Depends. How close are you to the coast? And it will depend on where the eye goes in relation to you as well as the intensity (cat #) when it hits.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Sept 8, 2018 15:08:28 GMT -6
Cool, so this all sounds not a lot different than what we used to do to prepare for severe weather, just more rain! Depends. How close are you to the coast? And it will depend on where the eye goes in relation to you as well as the intensity (cat #) when it hits. We're close to the coast, but in VA. As of right now, we're just barely inside NOAA's predicted path (the dark green part) but I know it can change quickly. H's office announced they'll do mando evacs for Cat 3 or above.
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lacey
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Post by lacey on Sept 8, 2018 15:37:01 GMT -6
Hi, first post here, sorry to just jump in but it sounds like we are in a similar area in VA. In my experience, in an indirect hit like what is currently forecasted (although that can change), the most pressing concerns are local flooding and loss of power. Be prepared to lose power for maybe around 3 days if things get bad and for roads to be closed for flooding. I have been in this area almost 10 years and the worst has been around 3 days for life to resume as normal. Of course remove yard debris and secure lawn furniture, etc but as long as your family can survive 3 days inside the house without electricity that is sufficient. It sounds like you already have all the emergency items covered (first aid kit, etc). Obviously if the forecast worsens, this all changes and you might need to evacuate. With landfall being a ways off, we are all still just waiting.
Hope all goes well, looking forward to posting more around here!
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Post by sunnysideup on Sept 8, 2018 16:17:47 GMT -6
The biggest thing I do is make sure we have enough water, batteries, shelf stable milk (for the baby), non perishable food, and fill bathtubs with water. We’ve been through a few in this area and it’s mostly been the flooding and the possibly of losing power that were the biggest issues. We’ve actually been very lucky with power the past few times but we couldn’t leave the house because of downed trees, flooding, and debris in the streets. So just make sure you have enough so if you’re stuck in the house for a few days you would be okay. I’m hoping this one won’t be a direct hit 🤞
And make sure to fill your gas tank up. Don’t wait until the last minute!
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Post by beesquared on Sept 8, 2018 17:12:30 GMT -6
I need addition to the above, make sure you refill any prescription or as needed medication. Also, liquid Benadryl can help with sleep issues for a couple of days.
If you think you might flood and need to evacuate through water you might want to look into an inflatable boat and pump. If you don't end up using it you can return if you don't want to keep it. We were able to walk out in 1.5 ft of water with our kids and dog inside the raft (plus our go bags).
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Post by elephantastic on Sept 8, 2018 17:50:40 GMT -6
I’ve lived in hurricane ally my whole life.
You’ve gotten good advice. Based on your location you’re likely overprepared but that’s never bad.
The biggest things to be aware of probably are flooding, loss of electricity and loss of clean water.
If you have an extra freezer I make a shit ton of ice and pack it full. If you don’t open it you’re good for several days. We were once without power for 9 days and fortunately had a generator but you can turn your freezer into a fridge after a day or two and get by. There will be no ice for days if you have widespread power outages.
Fill the bathtub with water. You probably won’t drink it but it’s good for doing dishes, flushing toilets if needed, etc. I also fill up every container possible with clean water. You can buy water bottles too but you can never have too much clean water because if you don’t have any clean water or power- it will go quickly.
Lots of nonperishables and snacks.
Plenty of flashlights. The LED flameless candles actually work really well at night when there are no streetlights/etc and you don’t have to worry about open flame.
Get yourself and extra propane tank or two. Propane sells out quickly just like gas. If you have a grill that’s how you will cook, boil water, etc. I have a pour over coffee maker thank god so we could still have coffee via grill.
Fill up your gas tank but also I would have an extra 15 gals or so on hand at least. Gas lines for at least a week if it is a disaster area are horrible. If you have a generator and use it you need more.
**The above is what I do when I’m prepared for the worst. I’ve never evacuated the area but have gone to a shelter due to storm surge concerns. Your area will probably be fine unless there is a major shift. It will be a rainy weekend and perhaps some power outages if trees come down.
Good luck!
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Post by wildflower on Sept 8, 2018 17:55:22 GMT -6
Well, my sister seems to think that a key piece of hurricane preparedness is a Facebook account, so you can constantly tell people what they should be doing, then announce every 20 minutes that you will be going offline for the rest of the storm.
So don't be that person.
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Post by flamingo on Sept 8, 2018 18:12:48 GMT -6
Hi, first post here, sorry to just jump in but it sounds like we are in a similar area in VA. In my experience, in an indirect hit like what is currently forecasted (although that can change), the most pressing concerns are local flooding and loss of power. Be prepared to lose power for maybe around 3 days if things get bad and for roads to be closed for flooding. I have been in this area almost 10 years and the worst has been around 3 days for life to resume as normal. Of course remove yard debris and secure lawn furniture, etc but as long as your family can survive 3 days inside the house without electricity that is sufficient. It sounds like you already have all the emergency items covered (first aid kit, etc). Obviously if the forecast worsens, this all changes and you might need to evacuate. With landfall being a ways off, we are all still just waiting. Hope all goes well, looking forward to posting more around here! Hi and welcome! I'm also in VA...we're probably all pretty close to one another Completely agree with you. We lived here about 6-7 years ago when we had a glancing blow from a hurricane; at the time we lived in an older, very low part of our city and while our street did not flood, everyone around us did, so roads were impassable. We lost power but thankfully our next door neighbor had an extra generator that kept the fridge and a window unit AC going. It was back on within a day or so.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Sept 8, 2018 18:18:27 GMT -6
Well, my sister seems to think that a key piece of hurricane preparedness is a Facebook account, so you can constantly tell people what they should be doing, then announce every 20 minutes that you will be going offline for the rest of the storm. So don't be that person. LOL, but if I don't post at least four updates every hour, then how will the people I went to elementary school with know that I'm kinda sorta in the path of the hurricane?
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Post by wildflower on Sept 8, 2018 18:32:34 GMT -6
Well, my sister seems to think that a key piece of hurricane preparedness is a Facebook account, so you can constantly tell people what they should be doing, then announce every 20 minutes that you will be going offline for the rest of the storm. So don't be that person. LOL, but if I don't post at least four updates every hour, then how will the people I went to elementary school with know that I'm kinda sorta in the path of the hurricane? Or so that you can post the spaghetti forecasts every 5 hours for a week leading up to landfall.
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Leaf 🌱
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Post by Leaf 🌱 on Sept 8, 2018 18:54:22 GMT -6
For anyone that may ever have to evacuate, make a plan for what you want to take with you and what needs to be done NOW. Don’t wait for the evac order to think about this stuff.
Pick a (pet friendly?) hotel or location, know what you want to pack, know what irreplaceable/important items are coming with you (photos, jewelry, lockbox, birth certificates, passports, medical records, firearms), have enough medication and pet food for at least a few days, etc. Think about how to protect what you’re leaving behind: windows and roofs are vulnerable and basements/lower floors may experience flooding. Big plastic bins, trash bags, and just moving things off of the floor are easy preventative measures. If you’re leaving a vehicle behind, leave it away from trees and on higher ground if possible.
Other things to do: take photos of EVERYTHING you leave behind for insurance purposes. Literally just take pictures of your closets, rooms, garage, everything.
Scan important documents and store them digitally or have a copy sent to family/friends in a safe location.
Have a worst case scenario plan. Identify a location to meet up if your family is separated. Select a “point person” that lives far away to all contact.
Best case scenario: you get a night at a hotel. Worst cases: flooding, structural damage, looting. It’s acary to think about but please consider all of this while you’re not racing against time.
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Leaf 🌱
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Post by Leaf 🌱 on Sept 8, 2018 18:56:01 GMT -6
And make sure your car always has gas. Never go below half a tank. Hurricanes can get big fast and change directions at the drop of the hat. You may end up having to drive further than you think and I’ve seen gas stations run out of gas in no time.
And please follow evacuation orders and curfews. If you don’t, you’re not only risking your life, but the lives of the first responders and Coast Guard that may have to come save you.
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McBenny
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Post by McBenny on Sept 8, 2018 19:52:49 GMT -6
If you think you might have to evacuate pack before hand. Put your important papers in ziplocs and your phones too if you're on the move.
Wash all your clothes now.
Basically be ready to move and have that together.
If staying be ready to be without electricity, running water, and supplies for several days.
Get dog food, toilet paper and shit like that. If your area gets hot you won't be able to find shit.
If you end up leaving out what you can't take but want to try to save on high shelves in closets.
Your fridge and washer and dryer will float up. Washer and dryer another plave to stash things. Clothes can go in trash bags with a knot. If your homes floods bag will float and clothes won't get wet.
Everything else is common sense.
Even if you're not a direct path of you're on the east side north east side you can get fucked by wind.
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rabbit
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Post by rabbit on Sept 9, 2018 9:34:06 GMT -6
Great advice above. Also, get several tarps from your local Lowes or Home Depot. If you can afford it, get a portable generator and lots of gasoline to run it. If you have pets, keep them near and have pet carriers handy if you need to evacuate.
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Post by thechickencoop on Sept 9, 2018 13:36:28 GMT -6
You've got great advice! Welcome to the mid-Atlantic. How low-lying are you? Generally here our main concern is wind/power outages unless you're in a very low lying area, for Maryland think downtown Baltimore or Annapolis. I'd check with your neighbors and see what the norm is.
Are you on well water? If so, fill up all of your tubs and any extra containers so you have the water for flushing toilets, washing dishes, etc etc.
Get all of your laundry and dishes done.
Make sure you have flashlights and lots of batteries.
How old are your LOs? I'd also make sure their favorite games are easily accessible (not sure how long ago you moved).
Freeze a whole bunch of bottled water or at least make sure you have lots of ice. If you have a deep freezer then make sure it's as full as it can be and that you have everything out of it that you need so that you won't need to open it. Stock up on a bunch of non parishables and bottles water.
Fill your gas and propane tanks.
Do you have a generator? If so make sure it's tuned up and you have whatever fuel it requires. Luckily it looks like we're going to have decent temps for the next week or so so heat isn't much of a concern.
This hurricane is surprising me. I thought that it was supposed to turn away and then yesterday H was like...uh...no, we're going to get it. 🙄
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Post by doublestuf on Sept 9, 2018 17:48:54 GMT -6
thechickencoop, same here for not having any clue it was coming. We're in NC. I have an 8 week old so we are probably evacuating to H's parents in SW VA. I was 11 when Fran hit and no thank you to a week with no power, high temps, and high humidity.
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Post by thechickencoop on Sept 9, 2018 17:58:03 GMT -6
thechickencoop, same here for not having any clue it was coming. We're in NC. I have an 8 week old so we are probably evacuating to H's parents in SW VA. I was 11 when Fran hit and no thank you to a week with no power, high temps, and high humidity. Oh no! I hope you don't get stuck in too much traffic leaving. I don't think Fran got us up here but I remember when Isabel came up the bay in 03 and a lot of my friends were without power for like a week. I lived at my parent still then and we got it back after like 3 days and everyone was coming over to shower and whatnot. The worst.
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Post by doublestuf on Sept 9, 2018 18:05:20 GMT -6
thechickencoop, same here for not having any clue it was coming. We're in NC. I have an 8 week old so we are probably evacuating to H's parents in SW VA. I was 11 when Fran hit and no thank you to a week with no power, high temps, and high humidity. Oh no! I hope you don't get stuck in too much traffic leaving. I don't think Fran got us up here but I remember when Isabel came up the bay in 03 and a lot of my friends were without power for like a week. I lived at my parent still then and we got it back after like 3 days and everyone was coming over to shower and whatnot. The worst. Yeah we lived in the sticks so were the last to get power back on. We definitely had to go to family friends to shower and have something to do. Fortunately we can and will take a bunch of back roads. I cannot imagine the hell that is gridlock on the interstate with a 3 year old and infant who is iffy about the car sest at best.
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Post by earlybirdz on Sept 10, 2018 7:18:58 GMT -6
Lots of great advice here. Just one more safety tip - if you do end up needing/using a generator make sure it's in a well ventilated area.
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