Hurricane Irene is making her way up the East Coast. It seems she’s been downgraded to a category 2 but is an extremely powerful storm nonetheless. It’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Protecting your home:
• Secure your property and outside items, move loose items indoors if possible or weigh them down.
• If you are in a coastal area, board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood or permanent shutters.
• Make sure trees and shrubs around your home are trimmed.
• Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Stay safe and be prepared:
• Put together an emergency supply kit to include:
o Radio
o Flashlight and extra batteries
o Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
o First-aid kit
o Shelf-stable food and water
o Nonelectric can opener
o Essential medicines and toiletries
o Cash and credit cards
o Sturdy shoes and a change of clothing
o Blankets and pillows
o Copies of important papers, including bank accounts, insurance and household inventory records
o Don’t forget board games, books and toys to keep children entertained.
• Find a safe room in your home, preferably an interior room on the first floor and store all of the items in your supply kit there.
• Fill a bathtub with water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets.
Weathering the storm:
• Listen to the radio or TV for emergency information.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
According to FEMA, you should evacuate under the following conditions:
• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
• If you feel you are in danger.
If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:
• Stay indoors and keep away from windows and glass doors.
• Close and secure all interior doors and exterior doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
It is amazing how one storm system can effect so many people, and in different ways. In your area there were rain winds and flooding, in my area of West Virginia, the experience was in the form of a Blizzard with a lot of snow. May of these tips for staying prepared are similar in any catastrophic event. I do hope you, your family, and friends followed these steps, and the aftermath was not to devastating for you. I can only imagine what you’ve seen in person as an aftereffect of Sandy.
You can freeze blocks of ice (use plastic tubs or old metal pots–the ice will warp the metal) and use them in your freezer and refrigerator to buy a little time in case you lose power. It will make your refrigerator and freezer into big coolers.
That’s a great idea. Wish I had room in my freezer, but I may fill a tub with ice if need be.