Some things to think about before a hurricane

Prepare now for what could be an active hurricane season.  If we had a direct hit, we could be without power and without grocery stores for 7 days or longer.  (Think worst case scenario like Katrina.) 

Ask yourselves:

Do we have alternative lighting, and batteries?

Do we have alternative ways to cook food?

Do we have enough water stored or ways to purify water?

Do we have cash on hand if there are no ATMs?

Do we keep at least a 1/2 tank of gas in our cars at all times?

Do we have easily prepared meals which do not need refrigeration? (These are called "shelf stable" meals.)

Do we have a non-electric can opener?

Do we own several weeks worth of baby formula, diapers, food, toiletries, and prescriptions?

Do we have a battery powered radio?


Can we save some clean sodapop and juice bottles to store more water in the back of closets?  This could be used to flush toilets.

Can we fit more canned goods under the bed?

Can we buy some solar powered yard lights? (These work great as indoor lighting when the power is off.)

Can we get another 20 lb. propane tank to use with our grill?

Can we buy an alternative recharger for our cell phones?

Do we have a paper copy of the phone numbers of friends and family, if our cell phone is dead?

If the GPS is dead, do we have a paper map to help us evacuate?

Can we buy a generator, or at the minimum, a small solar battery charger and rechargeable batteries?

What We all should learn from Hurricane Sandy

Here is a great article:

http://eatingfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-we-all-should-learn-from-hurricane.html

Panic buying in Northeast

Mac Slavo has written an article about the panic buying going on in the Northeast right now, ahead of Hurricane Sandy's arrival.  I urge you to stock up on preparedness items now, so when a big disaster hits our area someday, you won't have to deal with these kinds of crowds.

http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/panic-buying-grips-the-east-coast-mad-rush-for-supplies-ahead-of-mega-storm_10292012

Preparedness Article in August 2012 Ensign

I don't have my August Ensign yet, but this article is already online.

Elder Stanley G. Ellis talks about being in the path of Hurricane Rita in 2005, and how the Lord inspired each stake president, each bishop, and each family how to prepare.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/08/natural-disasters-we-dont-have-to-be-afraid?lang=eng&query=over+over

Hurricane articles, part 3

Here is a link to "Survival Lessons Learned from Three Hurricanes" which was posted on "The Survival Mom" blog.

Part 3 of 3:  http://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/07/01/survival-diary-from-3-hurricanes-lessons-learned-part-3-of-3/

Here are things I learned from this article written by Stephen Clay McGehee:

Radios, ice chests, swimming pools, and jugs of chlorine bleach all came in handy.

When he heard the hurricanes were coming, he froze water inside cheap freezer containers in his freezer.  That were free blocks of ice that he didn't have to buy, and blocks of ice take longer to melt than ice cubes.  (I actually keep a few 2-liter pop bottles full of frozen water in my freezer at all times.  They are great to use in ice chests, and when the ice melts,  the water is contained in the bottles and doesn't  get all over your food.)

He gives recommendations for various types of good and not so good gasoline containers.  I agree with him, the nozzle is not as important as just buying a Superfunnel (about $2 each from an auto supply store.  It is a big funnel with a VERY long tube at the bottom, which is small enough to fit in the opening of the gas tank).  You can fill your gas tank much easier by pouring the gasoline from a gas can into the Super Funnel than out of the gas can's long nozzle.  They are never designed right.

Hurricane articles, part 2

Here is a link to "Survival Lessons Learned from Three Hurricanes" which was posted on "The Survival Mom" blog.

Part 2 or 3:  http://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/06/30/survival-diary-from-3-hurricanes-lessons-learned-part-2-of-3/

Here are things I learned from this article written by Stephen Clay McGehee:

He talked about how expensive it was for the gasoline to run the generator.  He said he would be more picky about what he wanted to use the generator for.

Have plenty of gasoline containers and learn to store them safely.

Get to know your neighbors AHEAD OF TIME.  He shared electricity and water and food with his neighbors.

Store some Gatorade for hydration during hot weather power outages.

Store mosquito repellant and sunscreen and allergy medicine.  You will be outside more.

He had a "Preparedness Organizer" notebook, where he had recorded much of the information he needed.  This is a great idea!  You are NOT  going to be able to look up stuff on the internet!

Hurricane articles, part 1

Here is a link to "Survival Lessons Learned from Three Hurricanes" which was posted on "The Survival Mom" blog.

Part 1 of 3:  http://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/06/29/survival-diary-from-3-hurricanes-lessons-learned-part-1-of-3/

Here are things I learned from this article written by Stephen Clay McGehee:

Your area could be affected by multiple disasters in a row, like Stephen's was.  Hurricanes Frances,  Charley, and Jeanne all came through his town in 2004.  How will you cope with one horrible situation right after another?

Having a good supply of clean water is CRITICAL.  Think how much you need to drink when you are hot, and there is no power for your air conditioning.

Buy rubber stoppers for all your bathtubs.  Using the stoppers that come with a regular bathtub will slowly drain the water away.  (It would be best to just buy "Waterbobs" for all your tubs.  Here is a link to these very useful water storage tanks: http://www.waterbob.com/Welcome.do;jsessionid=2F3A707AC0EE7CC646372A1F9BDC51BD )

He suggests having at least two plastic dish pans, to use for face washing, etc.  I will go farther than that.  I say get a stack of Rubbermaid totes of all different sizes.  You can store water in them, or do laundry in them, or use them for dishwashing.  A friend just gave me two  different sized ones, without lids.  She said she just throws them away when the lids get lost or broken.  I disagree, I think they are useful with and without the lids.

My thoughts about the Super Derecho Wind Storm

I thought I had better write about the huge human tragedy that is unfolding in the states just to our north.  

Many of the people here in Raleigh, North Carolina, might have slept through the high winds which whipped through our area on Friday night, June 29, 2012.  The heavy winds hitting my bedroom window woke me up at midnight, and I went downstairs to find my husband and son going in and out of the house, watching the trees blow, and rescuing our trash cans which were rolling into the neighbor’s yard.

On Saturday I saw a tree down at the Raleigh Temple, but other than that, it was a normal (but extremely hot) June day.

We were sad to turn on the internet on Saturday and find out what devastation had been wreaked all across approximately 7 states just north of us.  13 deaths were caused by this storm.  

The headlines say, “DC Grocery Stores out of food”, “Gas unavailable”, “Grid Down as Summer Heat Rages”, “Catastrophic Damage to Power Grid”, “Hell Commute: Thousands of Stoplights Dark”, 

Media is reporting that some residents of the affected states may not expect power back until Friday July 6, a full week after the storm.

I think it is strange that the meteorologists are using the new term “Super Derecho”, I wonder if they made up a new term because they have never seen a non-hurricane this bad before?

My husband gave his testimony in church on Sunday, and reminded the congregation that if that storm had only been a little stronger in our area, we wouldn’t have power either.  Sitting in our nice, cool, comfortably air conditioned chapel, I felt very grateful for the electricity.

Today, Monday July 2, there are still 3 million people without power.

And here I sit, with no disaster affecting me.  But I am feeling a little stunned, because we usually have the advantage of being warned a week ahead of disasters (when they are hurricanes.)  It makes me feel uneasy, seeing a pseudo-hurricane happen near us with absolutely no warning.  It opens my eyes to the fact that we need to be constantly vigilant for all weather events, not just when a hurricane is spotted.

I am thankful that I have shelf stable food, which will stay good without refrigeration.  I am thankful that I have gasoline in my cars.  I am thankful that I have ice already frozen in many sodapop bottles in my freezer.  I am thankful to have many types of alternative lighting methods, alternative cooking methods, and stored water.

It is vital that we prepare for events such as these.  

(Next, a report from a friend of mine, who called to tell me about her experiences in Washington DC during the windstorm.)

Notes from a Katrina survivor

This was written by a person whose home was right in Katrina's path, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

"Our home didn't get drinkable water for about two weeks, and electricity came after about three weeks.  

The bishop described how travel was almost impossible in town because of the downed trees and wires.  

He explained that a 72-hour kit would have proved invaluable because it was about three days before the elders were able to start checking on members who weren't in their neighborhood.  

My friend described the area as looking as if a war had erupted and how pools of water stood in the streets with strewn powerlines nearby. He was able to get a generator but chain saws disappeared almost immediately and didn't come back in stores for months because they sold out immediately whenever they came in stock.  

When I was going through our belongings and trying to decide what to save I found myself saving the memorabilia and family history and leaving the rest. "

As you read that, just remember, we could get hit by a major hurricane this year, and it is wise to realize how bad it could be, and prepare accordingly.  TWO WEEKS without water, and THREE WEEKS without electricity!  Are you prepared for something like that?

Sept. 2011 Provident Living challenges

Do one of these by the October Relief Society meeting and get a prize!

1)Buy enough peanut butter and jelly to make sandwiches for your family for three months. 

 You need to determine how many sandwiches your family would eat each week, and how much peanut butter and jelly you use for each sandwich.  I gave some pointers for calculating that on my blog yesterday (Aug. 31, 2011).

2) Sign up for the Seven Day Challenge on FoodStorageMadeEasy.net. 

(Sign up here:  http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/7day/)

I signed up to participate last September, and had many great learning experiences as I had to change a tire, go without city water, go without electricity, and other mock disasters.

There are no consequences if you sign up and then don’t participate.  But I want you to sign up so that you can see all the comments on Facebook as about 2000 people try to live through their assigned hardships.

From their website: 

“The Seven Day Challenge is our way of celebrating National Emergency Preparedness Month in September. The Challenge is a week long series of mock emergencies with daily limitations and tasks to help assess your level of preparedness. On a surprise day in September, participants are notified that the Challenge has begun. Most of the learning and fun occurs as we share our experiences through comments, surveys, and Facebook. 

Seven Day Challenge pages from previous years can help you prepare for the next challenge. We encourage you to check them out, and start preparing now! ARE YOU READY?
2010 7 DAY CHALLENGE Overview
2009 7 DAY CHALLENGE Overview

3) Think of two items you were lacking for hurricane preparedness, and buy them this month.

We usually only have two challenges per month, but I felt we needed a third this time.

Consider Hurricane Irene as a practice run.  What if it had hit us hard?  Using the news stories of the devastation in New Jersey and Vermont as suggestions, consider what supplies you need to have in your home.

These could be items such as:

One week's worth of easy to prepare food

One week’s worth of diapers, formula, feminine hygiene, toilet paper

One week’s worth of paper plates, paper cups, plastic silverware

Bottled Water- a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day.  (But you need much more than that!)

More flashlights

A campstove or fuel for cooking

A lantern

An inverter to plug into your car, to power a TV or laptop.

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.

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.