RULES TO PREPARE FOR A HURRICANE OR FLOOD

[jordanjacob]

If you are in an area where you can possibly be affected, here is a checklist of what you can do now and just before a pending storm:

a)  Stockpile at least 35 cases of water. You'll think it

[Just Saying]

I feel for you JJ. We had a bad ice storm here years back that took out everything for a week. We were on a well, so no water either. One week seemed like a lifetime so I can imagine how you must feel by now.

I'd also add: Get a power converter to charge phones and laptops for the car you moved to higher ground. Hope you get relief soon.

[The Giss]

Crank-type radio/lantern is also a great idea. Hope everything is getting back to normal for you.

[Dolfan]

I consider our communities as well-prepared, experienced hurricane survivors but JJ's list is missing a couple of add-ons:

1 - Make sure you have your computer backed up to two external sources - one that is handy & one in another location.

2 - Know where your insurance papers are & keep them in a safe, dry environment.  Again, backed-up on disks is preferable.

3 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

4 - Purchase flood insurance today.  It is usually pretty cheap & covers what your homeowner's policy probably doesn't - rising waters.

5 - Do NOT, repeat do NOT take down trees that are near power lines - that is up to the electric company to do safely.

6 - JJ is dealing with water but wind is what normally does the damage.  If you have the money, upgrade your windows to PGT storm-proof windows.  This also works well if you are a wanted gambler, escaping the wrath of the underground as they are bullet-proof. 

7 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

8 - Read the manual on the whole-house generator you purchased & for god's sake, know how to turn it on without blowing out your electrical panel.  And never attempt to hook up that generator during the storm.

9 - Spend a few bucks on a thick chain & a good lock & secure that generator to a tree or that investment will disappear during the night.

10 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

11 - Have enough prescription medication to last at least 2 weeks.  This is also a good time to check your non-prescription medical needs Gary!  Extra Viagra might not be a bad idea either if you can't watch TV & need to kill 2 or 3 minutes.

12 - Feminine napkins/products should not be forgotten for the special ladies in your house.

14 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

[jordanjacob]

I consider our communities as well-prepared, experienced hurricane survivors but JJ's list is missing a couple of add-ons:

1 - Make sure you have your computer backed up to two external sources - one that is handy & one in another location.

I'm the only person in my home not using a laptop and actually took my hard drive and monitor to Harrisburg when we left but not a bad idea.

2 - Know where your insurance papers are & keep them in a safe, dry environment.  Again, backed-up on disks is preferable.

No worries as the insurance companies can easily tell us what's not covered, these papers have not been required.

3 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

Stayed as long as we could, were afraid of looting.

4 - Purchase flood insurance today.  It is usually pretty cheap & covers what your homeowner's policy probably doesn't - rising waters.

Have it, amazing how much isn't covered in basements as they are not considered living space.

5 - Do NOT, repeat do NOT take down trees that are near power lines - that is up to the electric company to do safely.

They shouldn't be there to begin with and should be dealt with now before you're out of power.

6 - JJ is dealing with water but wind is what normally does the damage.  If you have the money, upgrade your windows to PGT storm-proof windows.  This also works well if you are a wanted gambler, escaping the wrath of the underground as they are bullet-proof. 

No window issues, all new but a good point.

7 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

8 - Read the manual on the whole-house generator you purchased & for god's sake, know how to turn it on without blowing out your electrical panel.  And never attempt to hook up that generator during the storm.

Most whole house generators automatically turn on when the power is interrupted.

9 - Spend a few bucks on a thick chain & a good lock & secure that generator to a tree or that investment will disappear during the night.

Whole house generators have to be hooked up to a fuse box and require a transfer switch. Only an electrician and a plumber can get them going and they are not easy to hide either. They're also huge and heavy. You can't just walk off with them as they weight hundreds of pounds.

10 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

11 - Have enough prescription medication to last at least 2 weeks.  This is also a good time to check your non-prescription medical needs Gary!  Extra Viagra might not be a bad idea either if you can't watch TV & need to kill 2 or 3 minutes.

12 - Feminine napkins/products should not be forgotten for the special ladies in your house.

14 - Have a plan to get the hell out of town.

[Dolfan]

JJ, the generators that I was referring to are the portable ones, obviously.  My generator covers 2 Central A/Cs (I have 3), the kitchen & appliances, family area, living area, dining room & 2 bedrooms (out of 4).  It is 15,000 watt. 

The last time I priced a "whole-home" it was upwards of $8,000 installed.  I'd just as soon leave town with the pets & worry about the looters later as I would not be likely to fire a pistol at a looter, if that's what it took.

The day after Hurricane Wilma we drove to Orlando & stayed for a week until gas stations were back open to gas up the generator.  Now, our gas stations & grocery stores are required to have back up generators to minimize waiting & starvation!

[Just Saying]

The $8,000 ones, properly installed, will automatically switch the power grid off and power the house. Then when the power grid comes back on it will switch back. Mine is a portable cheapie. We don't have much flooding in this flat farmland, but if I was in a flooding area I'd sure put that generator well off the ground.

And Dolfan: Did mention a plan to get the hell out?    ...good advice.

[Dolfan]

Depending on where you live, flooding is rarely the problem after most hurricanes.  Obvious exceptions are storm-surge areas - that is low lying, near a body of water.  Most damage from hurricanes is from sustained wind & outdated construction.

[Just Saying]

Almost unrelated, but we built an outdoor patio at the VFW because indoor smoking is against state law. Would-be thieves climbed over the stockade fence and busted out the door glass into the building.(twice) The entire property is alarmed and cameraed. So as soon as the alarms went off they fled, but we had to have police secure the building and wait for a glass company to come and fix the door in the middle of the night. We finally replaced it some kind of unbreakable glass.(Mylar?) I wonder if thats the same kind used in hurricane areas. Only drawback is it has to be replaced every few years because it discolors, but put an end to the break-ins.

[Dolfan]

Almost unrelated, but we built an outdoor patio at the VFW because indoor smoking is against state law. Would-be thieves climbed over the stockade fence and busted out the door glass into the building.(twice) The entire property is alarmed and cameraed. So as soon as the alarms went off they fled, but we had to have police secure the building and wait for a glass company to come and fix the door in the middle of the night. We finally replaced it some kind of unbreakable glass.(Mylar?) I wonder if thats the same kind used in hurricane areas. Only drawback is it has to be replaced every few years because it discolors, but put an end to the break-ins.

Hurricane impact glass never has to be replaced.  It is substantially thicker & quieter than regular & has no film unless you tint it.  Not cheap but is way better than shutters.

[Just Saying]

Hurricane impact glass never has to be replaced.  It is substantially thicker & quieter than regular & has no film unless you tint it.  Not cheap but is way better than shutters.

They said the glass we put in wouldn't break but would eventually get cloudy. But it's under a roof and gets very little sun so I think it will wear well. Plus none of us have to be there all night getting the damn thing fixed. Too bad we couldn't install an exploding door...just sayin'

[Jeremy]

Almost unrelated, but we built an outdoor patio at the VFW because indoor smoking is against state law. Would-be thieves climbed over the stockade fence and busted out the door glass into the building.(twice) The entire property is alarmed and cameraed. So as soon as the alarms went off they fled, but we had to have police secure the building and wait for a glass company to come and fix the door in the middle of the night. We finally replaced it some kind of unbreakable glass.(Mylar?) I wonder if thats the same kind used in hurricane areas. Only drawback is it has to be replaced every few years because it discolors, but put an end to the break-ins.

Breaking into a VFW should be considered treason

[Just Saying]

Breaking into a VFW should be considered treason

...and a hanging offense. We had to add a lighting system because we couldn't identify the perps in the dark. That's money that we can't donate to vets causes, and that honks me off. I'm the volunteer treasurer.(unpaid) We are a non-profit that donates heavily to vets. I'm not even a veteran but I feel I owe a debt to them for my family's freedom.

I feel I derailed this thread. My apologies JJ.

[jordanjacob]

Crank-type radio/lantern is also a great idea. Hope everything is getting back to normal for you.

we finally have full electric in the basement and a contracting crew will start to rebuild it next Monday

my son is upstairs and he would prefer his own living space back downstairs and offered a $5,000 contribution towards the $45,000 it will cost to rebuild

one step at a time but we are getting there

one day hopefully we'll see funds from our flood policy but we cannot wait any longer and will borrow the necessary funds

[Just Saying]

we finally have full electric in the basement and a contracting crew will start to rebuild it next Monday

my son is upstairs and he would prefer his own living space back downstairs and offered a $5,000 contribution towards the $45,000 it will cost to rebuild

one step at a time but we are getting there

one day hopefully we'll see funds from our flood policy but we cannot wait any longer and will borrow the necessary funds

Sounds like you did a pretty good job of son raising. Mine turned out great too. Hang in there JJ.