Hurricane Florence

[DrPrepper]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/09/1...as-mid-atlantic-states-prepare-for-surge.html

The article states the manager at Walmart is stating people are buying water and plates, and that is about all they are buying. I hope they are just going for water first and will go back and get more. You need more than just water and plates to be prepared for a hurricane.
Even though the media is giving several days warning, I know there will still be people who are not prepared when the storm hits.

The media will show people in an uproar, just hours before the storm hits, claiming they came to buy food, water, baby formula, batteries etc and there are none to be had.

 

[Gazrok]

In my experience, here are the things that sell out the fastest....

Bottled Water - easily the first thing gone (and most of that is because this isn't often stocked heavily in grocery backrooms.)

Bread - easily the next thing to go (similar reason, and it's brought every few days by vendors, not by the store's usual trucks).

Charcoal - often overlooked, but it will be gone very quickly, because it isn't an item that is stocked all that often (or kept in the back)

Batteries - forget it, these will be gone a couple days before the storm, especially D cells and AAs....the most common ones for flashlights.

Peanut Butter and Jellies - Usually the next to sell out. (though like bread, you may be left with just the pricier ones)

Candles - these usually sell out fast, especially the cheaper ones
____________________

Good ideas, that WON'T often sell out.

Paper plates - the best deals may go, but there are usually some options left, and it's worth it.

Other Drinks - you don't have to drink JUST water you know....

Snacks - Chips, cookies, etc. that keep just fine, pop tarts, and other foods that don't necessarily need to be cooked.

Easy Meals - Ones where you just add water and cook, like pasta, rice, etc.

 

[jontte]

why bother to prep for something that comes every year??
mind you there are that special kind of stupid here too,comes to my mind a patient got dischardged and over here we supply them with 3 days of meds,
later this same person came back and when my colleague asked how did that new pain med work,the answer was but there were only 5 and then they run out so I don't know..she didn't bother to go to the pharmacy with the new prescription,which were also given,to get some.

 

[Gazrok]

Hurricane Tips: (I don't mean the normal lists you can find anywhere)

WATER AND REFRIGERATION

Get a case of bottled water. Before the storm, freeze the bottles. While the storm hits (before you lose power), be ready. The moment you lose power, condense your fridge items and pack the frozen bottles all around what you want to keep cold, fill every nook and cranny you can. - Then, try and limit going into the fridge to once or twice per day, quickly, and only when preparing a meal.

Fill tubs and sinks while you still can, in the early part of the storm. If you have buckets or tubs (or storage bins), these work too. Empty garbage cans, etc. (remember, you need water for washing, flushing toilets (if septic and losing power), etc. that you may not have after the storm).

Have a cooler, with ice ready, to keep drinks cold after the power goes. It's better than constantly opening your fridge and risking those foods, for a cold drink.

POWER

A generator is great, but also expensive. However, one item that is just stupid not to have....a solar powered cell phone charger. $25 online, and believe me, when you don't have power for days, this thing will be a GODSEND. Get a few of them, really. I can't stress this enough. Your cell phone is your source for news, your way to keep in touch with loved ones, your flashlight, and so many other things. You should ALWAYS have batteries stocked, so you never have to do the last minute rush to the store. (and get good, brand batteries, the cheap ones just aren't worth it. Duracell or Energizer).

INFO

Keep some important info on your phone, insurance info, account info, all kinds of things. Encode it if you want, but have it handy and portable.

GAMES & DIVERSIONS

Have something to do for hours when you have no power, can't go to work, etc. Boardgames, card games, whatever. Books to read.

LIGHT

Just going to tell you what works best for me. I have decorative, but FUNCTIONAL (and safe) candle sconces ALL OVER the house. And I keep spare candles for all well in stock. If we lose power, the FIRST thing I do, is use my cell phone flashlight, to then go around and see to light all of my candle sconces in rooms where we can't see in the daytime well.

This lets us move around the house just fine, safely, and without having to carry a flashlight. We also have battery operated standing lanterns, that provide more light to cook, read, play games, etc. And yes, while we have flashlights too, we rarely need to use them. We also have oil lamps, but to be honest, I rarely use them at all over the candles.

In a long term power outage, we simply don't need light too much, because when it's dark, we go to bed. What's the point otherwise?

PETS

Folks, be sure you're always stocked up for at least an extra week if you have pets. They depend on you, and that doesn't change after a storm. Be sure to have easy open cans, or a non-electric can opener, etc. Remember to include your pets when considering your water supply! They need to drink too!

OVERALL

Stay calm. It will pass. It may be days, etc., but after a storm, people will come together to help.

Probably the best comfort is just reaching out to your loved ones, letting them know you are safe, and learning they are too.

 

[Maverick]

I really don't feel sorry for the people complaining about the stores out of supplies, If one lives in hurricane country they should have already been prepared. I'm sure some of these folks are the same assholes that has laughed at preppers in the past.

 

[Gazrok]

Another TIP...

If you are in that period of days without power, often, stores and commercial centers will get power back sooner.

If you DO go to the store, and look for water, bread, etc., be there RIGHT WHEN THEY OPEN.

After Irma, I went to Publix (our local grocery store) right at 7am each morning, and got even more bottled water (and saw they had bread). They'd have each, for about the first 20 minutes they were open. Each day. Then they'd be out, as it was being rationed all over the state. (and rationed to so many per person too).

Now, I didn't NEED it, but I also had a) no idea of knowing how long this was gonna be, b) had over 50 animals to water too, c) the ability to, so I did.

Now, if I came upon someone shopping who NEEDED it, I'd gladly give up mine. (and did one morning). As I said, I was prepped, but I'm not opposed to being MORE prepped either.

 

[Gazrok]

Another TIP.

GAS UP. Days before the storm, keep your tanks topped off. I know it's on all the lists, but I can't stress that a few days before the storm, the stations WILL RUN OUT of gas. That's a fact. If you wait too late, you'll be high and dry. (and get some gas cans!!!)

I had neighbors with generators, but NO GAS to run them!!! Because they didn't stock up soon enough.

 

[DrPrepper]

Hurricane Tips: (I don't mean the normal lists you can find anywhere)

WATER AND REFRIGERATION

Get a case of bottled water. Before the storm, freeze the bottles. While the storm hits (before you lose power), be ready. The moment you lose power, condense your fridge items and pack the frozen bottles all around what you want to keep cold, fill every nook and cranny you can. - Then, try and limit going into the fridge to once or twice per day, quickly, and only when preparing a meal.

Fill tubs and sinks while you still can, in the early part of the storm. If you have buckets or tubs (or storage bins), these work too. Empty garbage cans, etc. (remember, you need water for washing, flushing toilets (if septic and losing power), etc. that you may not have after the storm).

Have a cooler, with ice ready, to keep drinks cold after the power goes. It's better than constantly opening your fridge and risking those foods, for a cold drink.

POWER

A generator is great, but also expensive. However, one item that is just stupid not to have....a solar powered cell phone charger. $25 online, and believe me, when you don't have power for days, this thing will be a GODSEND. Get a few of them, really. I can't stress this enough. Your cell phone is your source for news, your way to keep in touch with loved ones, your flashlight, and so many other things. You should ALWAYS have batteries stocked, so you never have to do the last minute rush to the store. (and get good, brand batteries, the cheap ones just aren't worth it. Duracell or Energizer).

INFO

Keep some important info on your phone, insurance info, account info, all kinds of things. Encode it if you want, but have it handy and portable.

GAMES & DIVERSIONS

Have something to do for hours when you have no power, can't go to work, etc. Boardgames, card games, whatever. Books to read.

LIGHT

Just going to tell you what works best for me. I have decorative, but FUNCTIONAL (and safe) candle sconces ALL OVER the house. And I keep spare candles for all well in stock. If we lose power, the FIRST thing I do, is use my cell phone flashlight, to then go around and see to light all of my candle sconces in rooms where we can't see in the daytime well.

This lets us move around the house just fine, safely, and without having to carry a flashlight. We also have battery operated standing lanterns, that provide more light to cook, read, play games, etc. And yes, while we have flashlights too, we rarely need to use them. We also have oil lamps, but to be honest, I rarely use them at all over the candles.

In a long term power outage, we simply don't need light too much, because when it's dark, we go to bed. What's the point otherwise?

PETS

Folks, be sure you're always stocked up for at least an extra week if you have pets. They depend on you, and that doesn't change after a storm. Be sure to have easy open cans, or a non-electric can opener, etc. Remember to include your pets when considering your water supply! They need to drink too!

OVERALL

Stay calm. It will pass. It may be days, etc., but after a storm, people will come together to help.

Probably the best comfort is just reaching out to your loved ones, letting them know you are safe, and learning they are too.

Excellent list

 

[jimLE]

We had a outage from 4:40am to noon the other day.my only concern,was the fridge n freezer.other then that.smooth sailing.

Now i can't help but wonder.not including the smart people who prepare for them.how many won't be half as prepare as i was for my lil ole outage.that was only a minor inconvenience, compared to what they'll go through.

 

[DrPrepper]

In my experience, here are the things that sell out the fastest....

Bottled Water - easily the first thing gone (and most of that is because this isn't often stocked heavily in grocery backrooms.)

Bread - easily the next thing to go (similar reason, and it's brought every few days by vendors, not by the store's usual trucks).

Charcoal - often overlooked, but it will be gone very quickly, because it isn't an item that is stocked all that often (or kept in the back)

Batteries - forget it, these will be gone a couple days before the storm, especially D cells and AAs....the most common ones for flashlights.

Peanut Butter and Jellies - Usually the next to sell out. (though like bread, you may be left with just the pricier ones)

Candles - these usually sell out fast, especially the cheaper ones
____________________

Good ideas, that WON'T often sell out.

Paper plates - the best deals may go, but there are usually some options left, and it's worth it.

Other Drinks - you don't have to drink JUST water you know....

Snacks - Chips, cookies, etc. that keep just fine, pop tarts, and other foods that don't necessarily need to be cooked.

Easy Meals - Ones where you just add water and cook, like pasta, rice, etc.

I saw on a documentary about Walmart that when a hurricane is predicted days in advance, the number in food they move to the end caps is strawberry ( 1# seller) pop tarts.

 

[Gazrok]

I have a pic on my phone of our local Walmart with empty shelves, a couple days before Irma.

Even though I consider myself a prepper, I also feel, as one of these approaches, that I'm not adequately prepared....

So, I'll STILL be at the store in the days leading up to it. (but, I'm not DESPERATE for things like others....it's more of "just in case" for me...which last year, came in handy being ready for such an outage).

At least this season, I'll have AC....the one prep I screwed the pooch on last year, lol.

 

[jimLE]

Florence Now a Major Category 4 Hurricane; Destructive Strike Likely on Southeast Coast
By weather.com meteorologists
less than an hour ago
weather.com

https://weather.com/

 

[brandx]

Had rain ALL DAY on Saturday due to the most recent gulf storm came up through the Midwest. There were flash floods and regular floods, many stores were not accessible in the nearby towns or closed early, many road closings. I didn't have to go anywhere but I did on Sat before dark, people drove through the flood to go to McDonald's and were parked in 6 inches of water.(Why?) LOL. Anyway,I knew all the roads well, took the truck and had no problem, was able to go around closed roads, knew the way and know all the low areas. Saw cars swamped driven by idiots. If you don't know the roads don't go out there people, even then use caution.

 

[Gazrok]

Florence looks like a miss for us here in FL, though still, can't be too sure, even with that good a track. (good for us).

Thankfully, Helene looks to stay over the ocean.

However, Isaac on the other hand. Well that one is following the typical path of the storms we Floridians see for those usually hitting us. And I don't trust the forecast of hitting those tiny little islands, and going back to TS strength for it.....at ALL..... with the current conditions, I don't see jack keeping it from being a major hurricane by that point. Granted, I'm no meteorologist, but so far, I've got a slightly better track record than they do, lol.... (it helps to just look wherever they send Jim Cantore....just don't be THERE!!!)

I'm glad I have a truck when it comes to these storms...

 

[Gazrok]

Seriously???

 

[Danil54grl]

We are prepared for the just in case hurricanes thiscyear, but I am hoping none come out way. People are still trying to recover from last year. . . My boss just got back into her house in June. Hoping she can at least enjoy it for a little bit.

 

[Brent S]

I just drove to fla to pu a new bucket truck. Will be picking it up in S Fla tomorrow. Not sure what kind of impact Florence will have for me on the trip back yet. I think I will buy a couple gas cans and top them off before hitting the highway though, just in case. I don’t expect my home to be much affected by it but the interstate may be crowded on the trip back. I allready came prepared with plenty of water, and the usual road trip prepping supplies, but the gas and diesel cans aren’t a bad idea.

 

[DrHenley]

This messes up my plans completely. I was supposed to be driving up the East Coast on Thursday to visit the kids. My biggest concern is finding gas. Seems like something like this always happens when I try to visit them. Like when the pipeline blew up in Alabama.

 

[Brent S]

This messes up my plans completely. I was supposed to be driving up the East Coast on Thursday to visit the kids. My biggest concern is finding gas. Seems like something like this always happens when I try to visit them. Like when the pipeline blew up in Alabama.

I’m glad to be going up 75 vs 85. I’m hoping that being that far inland I will be ok on gas and traffic flow. You couldn’t pay me to go up 85 right now though.

 

[Danil54grl]

Most 'big' grocery stores have generators so can operate even when power is off. The problem is when water is turned off. Keep in mind they will have no water, which means no bathroom facilities (for customers or workers) and no washing of hands in the traditional fashion. They will be using sanitized wipes to "clean". I bring this up because we have been in this situation and I worked in the deli section. The customers were very grateful that we were open and able to serve even if it was on a limited basis because we were not able to accommodate them with all aspects of what we normally do. Lunch meat and cheese is another item that goes quickly. I have to admit that I would go home when the urge was wanting to hit. . . . I am not completely sure what others did. When I asked, I got varied answers. . . one was the dock out back (which were viewed by houses) and others was the one employee bathroom, but no #2s allowed. Sorry but I just couldn't do that. . . Im just saying, be careful on what you buy after a disaster. Even with all the precautions taken during that time which were available I would still rely on the caution side.

Also you will see that most home improvement stores will have generators now or at least in my area. Maybe because we have now been hit so many times. I just haven't seen generators installed at gas stations as of yet. Last year, we never lost power but the roads were flooded so trucks (food and supply truck included) were not able to get thru so there was a major shortage on everything.

Just keep that in mind when you are prepping and storing up. You just never know what a hurricane or storm will bring your way and being prepared as possible at all times is key. . . not just during the season but all year long. We have also seen ice storms that have knocked out power for a few weeks which is not something we normally encounter this far south. Life is what it is and you can and will get thrown off loop sometimes even if it is not often, but wouldn't you rather have that little insurance policy hanging around? I know I do as I am not fighting with the masses.