Part of the Sept.Challenge: Peanut Butter Sandwiches

(As I was writing the September challenge, it got so long that I feared no one would bother reading it.  So I decided to put half on today, and half on tomorrow.)

Sept. Challenge 1)  Buy enough Peanut Butter and Jelly to make sandwiches for three months.

What if there were no stores, and you had to eat only what was in your house?  Now honestly answer, how many lunches per week could you stand to eat peanut butter sandwiches?  If you can’t eat them every day, then you better plan for other lunches (such as soups, macaroni and cheese, tuna sandwiches, canned Spaghettios, ramen, etc.)

Okay, do you have a number?  Lets say you want to eat peanut butter sandwiches twice a week for lunch.  In three months, that is 26 times.

Peanut Butter:  On my 40 oz. jar of Jif Peanut Butter, it says “Serving Size 2 Tablespoons.  Servings per container, about 35.”  So a 40 oz. jar of peanut butter contains about 70 Tablespoons. 

I will take their word for it and assume that I can make 35 sandwiches from a 40 oz. jar.  (Feel free to alter these numbers if you know your family uses less than 2 tablespoons per sandwich.)

Jelly:  On my 22 oz. jar of grape jelly, it says “Serving Size 1 Tablespoon.  Servings per container, about 31.”  Using these measurements, you would use twice as much peanut butter (2 Tbsp.) as jelly (1 Tbsp.) per sandwich.

Here is a tentative plan for one lunch for a family of four:  2 sandwiches for Dad, 2 sandwiches for Mom, 1 sandwich each for the two small children. Six sandwiches use 12 Tablespoons peanut butter and 6 tablespoons jelly.  Therefore, one lunch would use 1/5 of a jar of peanut butter and 1/5 of a jar of jelly. 

If my calculations are correct, you could make 5 lunches for this imaginary family of four out of one 40 oz. jar of Peanut Butter and one 22 oz. jar of jelly.

If you were planning for 26 lunches (which is twice a week for three months), you need 5 jars of Peanut Butter and 5 jars of jelly.

Of course if you are planning to eat PBJ sandwiches FOUR times a week for three months, you would need 10 jars of each.  And so on.

(Note: You still need to store bread ingredients and learn how to make bread so you can make the sandwiches.  And powdered milk so you can make some milk to drink.  But that isn’t part of this month’s challenge.)

Interesting observation on the food supply

I read this on http://www.iceagenow.com/US_Food_Supplies.htm :

"I spent about thirty years working in commercial agribusiness. My main job was to purchase ingredients, mainly grain, for flour mills and animal feed mills. As a part of my job I was forced to understand the US food supply system, its strengths and weaknesses. Over the years I became aware of some things that nearly all Americans are completely unaware of. I am going to make a list of statements and then you will see where I'm going.

            --1% of the US population grows all of the food for all
               Americans.

            --Nearly all Americans know essentially nothing about where
               the food they eat every day comes from. How it gets from the
               ground to them. And they don't want to know about it. It's
               cheap, as close as their local store, and of high quality. So
               no worries.

            --The bulk of the food we eat comes from grain. Although
               they raise a lot of fruits and vegetables in California, Arizona,
               Florida, Oregon and Washington, those things don't compose
               the main part of the average diet. Half of what a meat animal
               is raised on is grain so when you eat meat you are really
               eating grain. And, of course, we eat grain directly as bread,
               bagels, doughnuts, pasta, etc. Milk (and milk products like
               cheese) comes from cows that eat grain. A lot of grain. And
               the grain they eat is not produced where the cows are located.

            --The lion's share of grain produced in the US is done in a
               concentrated part of the US Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
               Missouri is the center of this area). The grain is moved to the
               coasts (where 70% of the population live) by only two (2)
               railroads.

            --Nothing is stored for very long in a supermarket. One day
               grain travels (by rail) from Kansas to Seattle to a flour mill.
               The next day the flour mill makes the flour and sends it to a
               bakery. The next day the bakery makes it into bread (and
               other baked things) and the next day it is at the store where
               it is purchased that day. Nobody stores anything. The grain
               is produced and stored in the Midwest and shipped daily in
               a single pipeline to the rest of America where the people live.

            --Up until the 1980's there was a system that stored a lot of
               grain in elevators around the country. At one time a whole
               year's harvest of grain was stored that way. But since tax-
               payers were paying to store it, certain urban politicians
               engineered the movement of that money from providing a
               safety net or backup for their own food supply in order to
               give the money to various other social welfare things. So
               now, nothing is stored. We produce what we consume each
               year and store practically none of it. There is no contingency
               plan.

(From Amy:  Reading this makes me feel very vulnerable.  Any disaster could cut off the transportation of our food.  And we have no backup plan for droughts or any type of crop failure.  Doesn't this make you want to have food stored in your own house? )

New Yorkers fight over bottled water, flashlights, lobster

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030938/Hurricane-Irene-lobster-Shoppers-fight-bottled-water-flashlights-lobster--How-city-prepared-New-York-hurricane.html

An interesting look at what shoppers were hurrying to buy just before Hurricane Irene hit.

Toilets when you have no plumbing

From FoodStorageMadeEasy.org:

This is a downloadable document on how to deal with toileting in a disaster.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/fsme/docs/sanitation-kit.pdf

Keeping Water Storage from Going Bad

AJ asked me:

What should one do to ensure the water doesn't mold or otherwise become unusable? Thanks!

On ProvidentLiving.org, they say that chlorinated municipal water doesn't need any further treatment.

For me, I hide clean juice bottles filled with water behind a lot of my furniture.  I keep a mental note of the last room to which I added water, and if I had to drink it I would  drink the freshest water first.

I try to empty out a whole room of bottles at a time onto my garden, and then replace it.  But I'm not perfect at doing that.

I have three 50 gallon water barrels in my garage, and I try to refill them every six months.  I have read that opaque barrels are better for keeping out light (light would allow bacteria or algae to grow.)  My garage doesn't have any windows, so that helps too.

With older water, I will use a backpacker's water filter on the water before drinking it.

But from experience, I know that the majority of the water will be used for washing, so only a small amount of it will ultimately need to be filtered for drinking.

Preparing for High Winds

Friday 8:10 am:  I was just watching WRAL, Channel 5, "The Early Show".  The weatherman was showing a graphic of the width of Hurricane Irene, and how far out the tropical storm level winds extended from the center.

From my untrained eye, and from what I can remember, it appeared that our Raleigh area still has a possibility of getting 35-75 mph winds.

That is still something to worry about!

During Hurricane Fran, the 75 mph winds were very treacherous!  Lots of trees fell, and power lines went down.

We really should be preparing for power outages, and not just sitting back and thinking it is only going to hit the coast.

I already have food and water and flashlights, a manual can opener, and my bills paid electronically.

I have a battery powered radio.

I have a car inverter that I can plug electrical devices into (such as my computer or a TV with an antenna.)

I have an address book with all the phone numbers I need (I don't have to rely on my cell phone for the numbers.)

Yesterday I located my campstove and fuel, and my matches and candles.

Here is what is on my To Do List today:

Fill up all cars with gasoline.

Charge my laptop, cell phone, ipod.

Get some cash out of the bank.

Bring the garden hose, trash cans, and picnic table into the garage.

I'm thinking about taking down all my window screens and storing them so they don't blow away.  But I really don't know whether I will do that or not.

I will add some more 3/4 filled water bottles to the freezer, filling up all available space.  (A full freezer stays frozen longer.)

I will put my solar yard lights out in the yard to charge, so I can use them inside the house later.

After I do all those things, then I think my family will be ready, in case the winds take down some power lines for a few days.

Understanding a Hurricane's "Cone of Uncertainty"

http://www.wral.com/weather/video/10040277/#/vid10040277

When you see the picture of where the hurricane is forecast to hit, what does that graphic mean?  This video explains it.

Writer says NYC is not ready. How about us?

Read this article about New York City, and its lack of adequate preparation for disasters, and then ask yourself some questions.

"Earthquake Proves New York City is Not Prepared for Natural Disasters"

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/24/earthquake-proves-nyc-is-not-prepared-for-natural-disasters/

"A single tremor was enough to cause mass confusion, building evacuations and cell phone service outages across the city."

"Consider: This region, more than any other, relies on electrical power. From high rise apartment buildings, to business computers, to the subway system, a massive power outage caused by a hurricane will have a significant impact on people’s lives.

Imagine if you were sick or paralyzed, and stuck on a building’s 35th floor without elevator service for days. Or, simply picture the isolation caused by television and cell phone outages.

 Ask yourself, where are your flashlights? Your radio? How will you keep up to date with important emergency information if the storm knocks out electrical services?

In order to prepare for this hurricane, ultimately we have to think not of the earthquake, which caused no lasting damage, but rather everything that went wrong during this past winter’s big snowstorm.

People were unable to leave their apartments, and emergency vehicles were essentially unable to move around on the streets. We were woefully under-prepared, and most city workers had to play catch up to fix the significant problems that resulted from the storm."

Read more: http://www.askdrmanny.com/dr-manny-says-the-earthquakes-over-now-its-time-to-prepare-for-hurricanes/#ixzz1W2rpwSLL

Questions to ask yourself:

Are you any more prepared than the NYC residents he speaks of?

Do you have flashlights, or a battery powered radio?

What will you do if emergency vehicles can't get to you?  Do you have first aid supplies and medical knowledge?

These are all important things to think about BEFORE a disaster occurs.

Lots of Water

Storing water is more important than storing food.  (Well, actually you need both.)  Don't forget to store water.

You don't have to buy all factory-bottled water.  If you want to drink bottled water, that is fine, but it is expensive compared to tapwater.

You will need so much water for washing, and it does not have to be expensive.  Store water in every used juice bottle, syrup bottle, soda pop bottle you ever use, instead of throwing any of those away.  These small bottles of water can be hidden in the back of every closet, behind every piece of furniture, in the tops of closets, between the items in your bookshelves and cabinets.  You will be so thankful you have an abundance of water, and it will basically be free.

I was helping someone move, and these were all their empty water bottles.

Hurricane Preparation Steps- Long (but in a different size font)

(I am posting this again in a different size and font.)

Here is a comprehensive list for those who are in a hurricane’s path.  

This list may have some items that you may consider over-the-top, please don’t get discouraged.  Just do what you can do.  The list was originally written for those directly in the landfall of a Category 5.  We here in Raleigh will not be in such drastic danger.

If you live farther away from the ocean, preparations for a storm surge are not necessary.  Be aware, however, that your home could be in a flash flood area.

It is important to do the early preparations to prevent getting caught up in the panicked crowds in the days immediately preceding the storm.  

7 Days Out 

1) Water (1 or 5 gallon jugs) is purchased and any filter systems, storage systems and well pumps are checked. 

2) Storage food is checked and additional food is purchased if necessary. During this phase any non-perishable food needed, including comfort food should be purchased. Make sure you have enough baby formula, baby food,  or food for people with special needs.

3) Fuel Stores such as gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, Coleman White fuel, kerosene are checked and topped off as needed. 

4) Cooking fuels are checked and purchased as needed. 

5) Battery stores are checked and additional batteries are purchased as needed. 

6) Flashlights, lanterns and other alternative light sources are tested and batteries are replaced, fuel is added to each device as needed. 

7) Alternative cooking devices are tested. Never, Never use your barbecue grill inside your home!

8) Radio communications are tested and made ready. 

9) Storm shutters and fasteners are made ready for deployment. 

10) Take off your window screens and store them in the house or garage.  You will need to put them on again after the hurricane when the power is out and you are roasting inside your non-airconditioned house.

11) Generators - tanks are topped off and any maintenance need is completed. 

12) First aid supplies - are checked and additional supplies are purchased as needed. 

13) Double check prescriptions and fill if necessary. 

14) Make plans to sleep on the lowest level of your house during the worst part of the storm.  Do not sleep in upper floors.  The danger of a tree falling on you is too great.  Determine which interior rooms, bathrooms, closets, would be a safe place to ride out the storm.  If the storm warrants evacuation, do not attempt to stay in your house.  Make plans to evacuate.

15) Daily used household items such as cleaners, soaps, tooth care; toilet paper etc. should be checked and purchased as necessary. 

16) Start making Ice: If you have an automatic ice maker, keep emptying it and storing the ice cubes in bags so it will make more.

17) Evacuation kits are checked and replenished as needed. 

18 Fuel tanks for vehicles from this point on are not allowed to go below ¾ filled and as a normal procedure should not be allowed to go under ½ full. 

19) Check vehicles for tire pressure, fluid levels, belt tensions, and any pending maintenance critical to the operation of the vehicle should be done at this time. 

20)Communicate with your ward, family and friends; discuss your preparedness plan.  Email your friends and family with your tentative plans.  If you have to evacuate, Where are you planning to go? Where will they be?  What resources can you share, loan, or borrow?  If winds will be 75 mph or above, can you stay in someone’s basement?

21)Get cash in small bills.  If the power goes out, you won’t be able to use credit cards or ATM’s.

22)Check with elderly and disabled neighbors and friends and make sure they have a plan.

23)Print off all your important phone numbers and address lists.  If your computer or cell phones are inoperable, you won’t be able to get the numbers off of them.

4-to-5-Days Out 

1) Grocery store – last minute items and perishable items such as fruits and vegetables that do not need refrigeration are purchased. The event may be short term and this will allow for one to two weeks of fresh fruits and vegetables before the need to move to dry and canned food. 

2) Mail all bills due in the next 30 days if possible. Pay your bills online ahead of time.

3) Start freezing water in 2 liter soda bottles (fill them only 3/4 full as the water expands when freezing.) This will help freezers and refrigerators stay cool longer when the power goes out. 

4) Have family or group meeting and discuss preparedness plans to include responsibilities for final preparations and survival responsibilities immediately after the event and contingency plans for when things go wrong. 

5) Start consuming primarily refrigerated perishable food. 

6) Assuming the garbage trucks are still running; make sure all trash is removed. 

7)Any member of your family or group who has to work will need to place a survival pack in their vehicle, that should include 3 to 7 days of food and water and one or two Jerry can(s) of fuel if possible. If possible, preposition short term emergency supplies at the place of employment. 

Experience has demonstrated that crowds of panicked people are beginning to start at this phase, but depending on the event and how the event is covered in the media, the crowds could potentially start earlier than expected; making some of the preparations at this stage more difficult to accomplish. 

48 Hours Out 

1) Impact shutters are installed on windows. 

2) Remove everything from your yard that may blow away. A category 3 hurricane can lift heavy tables, flower pots, swing sets, out door lighting, just about everything, be aggressive and remove anything that may become air-born and fly through a window. Outdoor solar lightning is a great light source during a power outage. Gather them into one place and leave them in the sun to charge as long as possible, just don’t forget to  bring them in before the blowing begins.

3) Rain gutters and downspouts are cleaned out. 

4) Charge any remaining batteries, radios, cell phones, computers, handheld game devices, and ipods (for entertainment and communications while the power is out.) 

5) Data from computers is backed up and securely stored. 

6) Paper records are secured. 

7) Important personal items, such as family photos are secured. 

8. Persons doing prep work in the immediate vicinity of the home should have a two way radio with them at all times, with someone in the home monitoring the radio. This is especially important for those living in rural areas with large amounts of property and when working a fair distance from the home. 

9) One person at all times should be monitoring Radio, Internet and television news. Continue to monitoring these sources while available. 

10 to 24 Hours Out 

1) Any items still outside the home are secured. 

2) Remaining storm shutters are installed. 

3) Vehicles are moved to the garage or a secure location. (If you have any trees around your house and no garage, move your vehicles to a nearby open area such as a store parking lot.)

4) Internal alternative light sources are made ready and strategically placed. (Flashlights, candles, matches, glowsticks, lanterns, etc.)

5) Food and water for the next 24-72 hours are made ready. Some perishable food for immediate use can be moved to coolers, which if properly packed and insulated will stay cool for two days. A layer of dry ice on the bottom of a cooler separated by a dish towel can keep items frozen for up to 4 days in the proper cooler. 

6) Turn freezer refrigerator temps down. Get them as cold as possible without freezing the coils. 

7) Turn air-conditioning down and get the house cool before the power goes out. 

8. Entertainment such as games, books are located and made ready.  Locate the items your small children need for comfort, such as blankets, pacifiers, and toys.

9) Charge laptops and cell phones. 

10) Wash all dishes. 

11) Any remaining laundry is done (earlier in the 24-hours before landfall and well before the likelihood of power failures). 

12) Depending on the water situation, sinks, bath tubs and containers should be filled with water and treated appropriately. (During Hurricane Fran, Cary had water, but the city of Zebulon did not.)

13) Move some frozen bottles to the refrigerator. 

14)Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed (once the power goes out, It may be 12 hours or more before the generator can fired up). 

15)Move bedding, pillows, cots to lowest level of your house, in preparation for sleeping.

16)Unplug TV’s and computers, in case of power surges from lightning.

3 Hours Out – (Power is Out )

1) Alternative lighting sources are activated. 

2) All AC Powered lights and appliances, televisions, computers (except one lamp) are unplugged. The breaker for the HVAC unit and water heater is shut off. Leaving one light connected to the AC [utility power] and in the on mode will provide an indication when the power returns. Once power returns, lamps and appliances can be powered up gradually to avert the effects of a power surge. Those with standby generators will handle this step differently depending on how their backup system is designed. 

3) If possible, use the remaining hot water; take a shower(s) assuming conditions warrant. 

4) Once hot water is used, and if using a hot water tank, close the incoming water valve; a fresh supply of water is now available. 

5) Activate the battery operated television or radio and monitor events. 

6) Sleep when and if possible in rotating shifts. 

7)If the situation warrants, move to a storm shelter or the most secure part of the house. 

Note from Amy:
This list is probably too comprehensive for our area, yet many of the items will be very necessary.

Please tweak the list based on the perceived severity of the storm in our area.

What are the dangers from a hurricane?

These are the main dangers from a hurricane:

1. High winds.
2. Heavy rains and flooding.
3. Power outages.  This causes problems in your home, as well as shutting down commerce. I knew people in Cary during Hurricane Fran who had no electricity for 9 days.  Be prepared for at least that long.
4. In some cases, the municipal water supply is compromised, so there is no drinking water. During Hurricane Fran, Cary had water but Zebulon did not.

Do anything you can do to protect your family and property from these hazards.

Hurricane Preparation Steps- Long

Here is a comprehensive list for those who are in a hurricane’s path.  

This list may have some items that you may consider over-the-top, please don’t get discouraged.  Just do what you can do.  The list was originally written for those directly in the landfall of a Category 5.  We here in Raleigh will not be in such drastic danger.

If you live farther away from the ocean, preparations for a storm surge are not necessary.  Be aware, however, that your home could be in a flash flood area.

It is important to do the early preparations to prevent getting caught up in the panicked crowds in the days immediately preceding the storm.  

7 Days Out 

1) Water (1 or 5 gallon jugs) is purchased and any filter systems, storage systems and well pumps are checked. 

2) Storage food is checked and additional food is purchased if necessary. During this phase any non-perishable food needed, including comfort food should be purchased. Make sure you have enough baby formula, baby food,  or food for people with special needs.

3) Fuel Stores such as gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, Coleman White fuel, kerosene are checked and topped off as needed. 

4) Cooking fuels are checked and purchased as needed. 

5) Battery stores are checked and additional batteries are purchased as needed. 

6) Flashlights, lanterns and other alternative light sources are tested and batteries are replaced, fuel is added to each device as needed. 

7) Alternative cooking devices are tested. Never, Never use your barbecue grill inside your home!

8) Radio communications are tested and made ready. 

9) Storm shutters and fasteners are made ready for deployment. 

10) Take off your window screens and store them in the house or garage.  You will need to put them on again after the hurricane when the power is out and you are roasting inside your non-airconditioned house.

11) Generators - tanks are topped off and any maintenance need is completed. 

12) First aid supplies - are checked and additional supplies are purchased as needed. 

13) Double check prescriptions and fill if necessary. 

14) Make plans to sleep on the lowest level of your house during the worst part of the storm.  Do not sleep in upper floors.  The danger of a tree falling on you is too great.  Determine which interior rooms, bathrooms, closets, would be a safe place to ride out the storm.  If the storm warrants evacuation, do not attempt to stay in your house.  Make plans to evacuate.

15) Daily used household items such as cleaners, soaps, tooth care; toilet paper etc. should be checked and purchased as necessary. 

16) Start making Ice: If you have an automatic ice maker, keep emptying it and storing the ice cubes in bags so it will make more.

17) Evacuation kits are checked and replenished as needed. 

18 Fuel tanks for vehicles from this point on are not allowed to go below ¾ filled and as a normal procedure should not be allowed to go under ½ full. 

19) Check vehicles for tire pressure, fluid levels, belt tensions, and any pending maintenance critical to the operation of the vehicle should be done at this time. 

20)Communicate with your ward, family and friends; discuss your preparedness plan.  Email your friends and family with your tentative plans.  If you have to evacuate, Where are you planning to go? Where will they be?  What resources can you share, loan, or borrow?  If winds will be 75 mph or above, can you stay in someone’s basement?

21)Get cash in small bills.  If the power goes out, you won’t be able to use credit cards or ATM’s.

22)Check with elderly and disabled neighbors and friends and make sure they have a plan.

23)Print off all your important phone numbers and address lists.  If your computer or cell phones are inoperable, you won’t be able to get the numbers off of them.

4-to-5-Days Out 

1) Grocery store – last minute items and perishable items such as fruits and vegetables that do not need refrigeration are purchased. The event may be short term and this will allow for one to two weeks of fresh fruits and vegetables before the need to move to dry and canned food. 

2) Mail all bills due in the next 30 days if possible. Pay your bills online ahead of time.

3) Start freezing water in 2 liter soda bottles (fill them only 3/4 full as the water expands when freezing.) This will help freezers and refrigerators stay cool longer when the power goes out. 

4) Have family or group meeting and discuss preparedness plans to include responsibilities for final preparations and survival responsibilities immediately after the event and contingency plans for when things go wrong. 

5) Start consuming primarily refrigerated perishable food. 

6) Assuming the garbage trucks are still running; make sure all trash is removed. 

7)Any member of your family or group who has to work will need to place a survival pack in their vehicle, that should include 3 to 7 days of food and water and one or two Jerry can(s) of fuel if possible. If possible, preposition short term emergency supplies at the place of employment. 

Experience has demonstrated that crowds of panicked people are beginning to start at this phase, but depending on the event and how the event is covered in the media, the crowds could potentially start earlier than expected; making some of the preparations at this stage more difficult to accomplish. 

48 Hours Out 

1) Impact shutters are installed on windows. 

2) Remove everything from your yard that may blow away. A category 3 hurricane can lift heavy tables, flower pots, swing sets, out door lighting, just about everything, be aggressive and remove anything that may become air-born and fly through a window. Outdoor solar lightning is a great light source during a power outage. Gather them into one place and leave them in the sun to charge as long as possible, just don’t forget to  bring them in before the blowing begins.

3) Rain gutters and downspouts are cleaned out. 

4) Charge any remaining batteries, radios, cell phones, computers, handheld game devices, and ipods (for entertainment and communications while the power is out.) 

5) Data from computers is backed up and securely stored. 

6) Paper records are secured. 

7) Important personal items, such as family photos are secured. 

8. Persons doing prep work in the immediate vicinity of the home should have a two way radio with them at all times, with someone in the home monitoring the radio. This is especially important for those living in rural areas with large amounts of property and when working a fair distance from the home. 

9) One person at all times should be monitoring Radio, Internet and television news. Continue to monitoring these sources while available. 

10 to 24 Hours Out 

1) Any items still outside the home are secured. 

2) Remaining storm shutters are installed. 

3) Vehicles are moved to the garage or a secure location. (If you have any trees around your house and no garage, move your vehicles to a nearby open area such as a store parking lot.)

4) Internal alternative light sources are made ready and strategically placed. (Flashlights, candles, matches, glowsticks, lanterns, etc.)

5) Food and water for the next 24-72 hours are made ready. Some perishable food for immediate use can be moved to coolers, which if properly packed and insulated will stay cool for two days. A layer of dry ice on the bottom of a cooler separated by a dish towel can keep items frozen for up to 4 days in the proper cooler. 

6) Turn freezer refrigerator temps down. Get them as cold as possible without freezing the coils. 

7) Turn air-conditioning down and get the house cool before the power goes out. 

8. Entertainment such as games, books are located and made ready.  Locate the items your small children need for comfort, such as blankets, pacifiers, and toys.

9) Charge laptops and cell phones. 

10) Wash all dishes. 

11) Any remaining laundry is done (earlier in the 24-hours before landfall and well before the likelihood of power failures). 

12) Depending on the water situation, sinks, bath tubs and containers should be filled with water and treated appropriately. (During Hurricane Fran, Cary had water, but the city of Zebulon did not.)

13) Move some frozen bottles to the refrigerator. 

14)Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed (once the power goes out, It may be 12 hours or more before the generator can fired up). 

15)Move bedding, pillows, cots to lowest level of your house, in preparation for sleeping.

16)Unplug TV’s and computers, in case of power surges from lightning.

3 Hours Out – (Power is Out )

1) Alternative lighting sources are activated. 

2) All AC Powered lights and appliances, televisions, computers (except one lamp) are unplugged. The breaker for the HVAC unit and water heater is shut off. Leaving one light connected to the AC [utility power] and in the on mode will provide an indication when the power returns. Once power returns, lamps and appliances can be powered up gradually to avert the effects of a power surge. Those with standby generators will handle this step differently depending on how their backup system is designed. 

3) If possible, use the remaining hot water; take a shower(s) assuming conditions warrant. 

4) Once hot water is used, and if using a hot water tank, close the incoming water valve; a fresh supply of water is now available. 

5) Activate the battery operated television or radio and monitor events. 

6) Sleep when and if possible in rotating shifts. 

7)If the situation warrants, move to a storm shelter or the most secure part of the house. 

Note from Amy:
This list is probably too comprehensive for our area, yet many of the items will be very necessary.

Please tweak the list based on the perceived severity of the storm in our area.