Hurricanes: Weathering The Storm June 24, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Nature.trackback
Unlike tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes (which often wreak havoc with little or no advance warning), hurricanes generally don’t sneak up on us.
Weather experts monitor each storm’s approach, predicting the expected track and gauging the level of wrath, giving residents time to prepare and, if necessary, evacuate to remove themselves from the path of destruction.
If you decide to stay put:
(1) Fill the bathtub with water for washing and to flush toilets.
(2) Make sure you have enough drinking water on hand ~ 15 gallons per person (one gallon per person per day for two weeks).
(3) Turn the refrigerator and freezer controls to the coldest settings.
(4) Fill clean containers with water for drinking and cooking and store them in the refrigerator and freezer to keep contents cold longer in the event of a brief power outage and to provide you with extra drinking water if water supplies become contaminated.
(5) Check your supply of non-perishable food ~ canned or dry. Keep a manual can opener handy.
(6) Items to have on hand: tools (hammer, nails, knife, pliers, screwdrivers) * unscented bleach to purify water (8 drops per gallon) * one flashlight per person * spare batteries *battery operated radio * matches or lighters * disposable plates and utensils * first aid supplies (bandages, gauze, scissors, cotton balls, petroleum jelly, antiseptic spray, hydrogen peroxide, antacids, aspirin, thermometer, rubbing alcohol).
(7) Other items which might prove useful: plastic freezer bags to fill with water to make ice * grill or sterno stove with extra fuel * garbage bags for clean up * rope or heavy cord * tarpaulin for temporary roof repairs * needle and thread
If a blackout occurs:
(1) Turn off or disconnect all motor-driven appliances and fixtures to avoid damage from sudden surges when power is restored.
(2) Open the refrigerator or freezer as seldom as possible during a power outage. Food will stay frozen for up to 48 hours if the freezer is full and tightly packed and the door is kept closed. Food in a partly filled freezer may keep for 24 hours.
(3) If food in the freezer does defrost, use it within one or two days. Never refreeze food that has thawed completely. If in doubt, throw it out.
(4) Avoid using candles, as they may result in a fire. Use flashlights instead.
Other thoughts, suggestions, and ideas . . . please comment below!
Related posts: Hurricanes: Evacuation & Homecoming * Hurricanes ~ Other Tips & Resources
Comments
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Spirit Lights The Way 
I lived in Houston for 20 years. I understand. I also grew up in tornado counrty. You do sometimes get a little warning there. Especially now with advanced communications.
Earthquakes (Northern Cal. Bay Area – where I am now. No warning. Shake and duck. Or a loud bang (loud is an understatement – sonic boom is more like it) and then shake and duck.
Just hope that you’re not on a bridge!
I grew up in Beaumont, TX and we, being below sea level, often went through hurricanes. Although I was very young I vividly remember Hurricane Audrey, which completely wiped out a small island off Louisiana…i.e. the island no longer exists! I also remember visiting Galveston after a hurricane, Donna, I believe, and being amazed at the coastline. There were huge beach houses that are built on stilts (a high as 20 feet). The only thing visible of them was the very highest points of the roof tops! Completely covered in sand. It was amazing. Also, driving through town we saw where the after-hurricane tornadoes had swept through. On one side of the street, the houses were sheered in half (looked like doll houses – the furniture was even still in place!). On the other side, except for a few roof tiles missing, the houses were not touched! Awesome power!
I respect Mother Nature’s power, but don’t worry and fret unduly about natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Que sera, sera . . . whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see, que sera, sera.
That said, I feel better having a general idea of how to go about preparing to ride out a storm.
And, after reading your comment, I’m glad that I don’t live in a huge beach house built on stilts. : )
What good does worry do anyway? You do the things that you can, and leave off worry over things of which you have no control! Although I have been known to use the following motto: “Don’t tell me that worrying accomplishes nothing: Nothing I worry about ever happens!”
Ha! What an excellent quote!
Thanks, Paula!