I'd really like to hear some first hand accounts of how people made their lives easier during these or other disasters.
So, to preface this, for those who didn't read it in other threads....the eye of Irma went right over us, at a Cat 2 strength (we're inland, in central FL). We lost power for a little over 4 days. Now, we're also rural, and have a well pump, so when we lose power, we lost running water too. We also had all of our animals, and many other animals we had put up for friends/family, and even paid clients (48 animals total, horses, cats, dogs, birds, a pig, and even a monkey).
So, what did we do?
Well, first, the storm didn't really hit us much until late at night. So, we had all day to basically do a lot of things, most of it centered around water. We moved a large water trough to be right outside the main stable. We moved another one near the second stable. We had another for a turnout pasture. We had an emergency barrel, and made sure all were full as could be. For inside, we filled the tub, the sinks, had 2 full buckets of water by each toilet (to flush, when you don't have running water, they will still flush, just not refill). We had lots of our drinks, and had lots of bottled water too (for us, and the cats & dogs).
We consolidated everything into one fridge/freezer. We then put a ton of bottled water in the standing freezer and froze it all.
We boarded up the windows, gathered loose objects, and did all the normal type storm prep folks do.
We had plenty of charcoal, candles, batteries, flashlights, lamps and oil, etc. Propane was a no go, even days before the storm, it was sold out, so only had one tank of that, and it was half full. (one hole in the preps)
For the most part, we fared really well. As soon as the power went out, we worked quickly, and jammed every nook and cranny of the fridge/freezer with the frozen water bottles from the other freezer. This kept things cold pretty much the whole time. We also limited opening the fridge to two times per day. We kept sodas in a cooler (kept cold by using the same frozen water bottles). As they thawed, we simply used them as water (for us or the animals).
The first night we had no power was fine, as I had crocked some mojo pork the day before. I also crocked some chicken stew the same day (before we lost power). So we had that the second night. After that, we grilled. Did some chili dogs and chips, and some mesquite chicken with pasta (the grill has a burner). For lunches, we typically did some sandwiches and soup, or whatever else people wanted. We really had no shortage of food, and everything in the fridge stayed cold for the duration, as we'd always feed it with new, frozen bottles.
During the day, we'd take care of the animals, entertain ourselves with our phones and boardgames, and work on cleaning up yard debris. The one thing I didn't count on though, was the heat. It made it hard to be inside. My house has zero flow through...just wasn't designed for it. I didn't think that would be such a factor, but it really was. 90 degrees outside, but even though somewhat cooler inside, just didn't really help. And really hard to sleep, when you are used to sleeping at 65 degrees...lol. So, another hole in the preps. It also made it hard to clean house, as we also had no running water. That's when I resolved to get a generator and at least two window AC units before next storm season.
On day 3, another hole appeared. We had been charging up the cell phones with the truck, but hadn't really started it. Gas stations were still closed, as we did venture out to check on things (we took the other car, because it has working AC). Other businesses were open though, as power slowly came back to town. Some were even open on day 2. But, the constant charging zapped my truck battery. This hole is now solved with a solar powered charger I have now. My daughter though, had a friend who now had power, so she bolted. (she doesn't live at home, but came here for the storm, because her apartment was a wood frame place).
On day 3, we lucked out. My gym was open, so me and my son went there to get a much needed shower. We could wash up at home, and I even had a trough we could use to bathe, but a 10 minute drive and hot shower was hard to pass up. We had fully gassed up all vehicles, and even had gas cans of gas, so felt we could spend it. We did the same on day 4 and 5 too.
We even went to a restaurant on day 3. Not that we needed it, but it was good to eat in the AC, and at a buffet. Like I said, some businesses had power, so that was nice. Most didn't though. It was only about an hour wait...so not as horrible as it could have been. And worth it for sitting in that AC for a while.
Each night, when dark, we'd simply go around and light all the candles. We have some hanging ones all over the house, for just such a thing, and it was actually pretty nice. Though collectively, it may have added to the heat factor. It was enough light to move about the house, but we used electric lanterns to see while playing a boardgame, reading a book, etc.
So for the most part, we fared pretty well. And, it was actually kind of a vindication. My kids got to see that their old man's prepping comes in handy now and then. My wife suddenly was onboard for spending money on more. (she works in payroll, so got to spend the whole storm as part of a response team, in Dallas, working all day, and partying each night on the company dime, lol). Though she didn't go through it with us, we were always in contact via phone, so in a way, she at least knew.
I can't over emphasize the importance of a charged phone during this though. Never would have thought it, but it was how we communicated to those whose animals we were watching, with my wife, and how we learned info about power outages, what was open, what wasn't, etc. For a short-term, localized SHTF event, a cell phone is simply indispensable. (as is a way to keep it charged).
Another tip....just before and just after a storm, if you want a supply that is high in demand (like water, bread, batteries, charcoal, etc.), check your local supermarket THE MOMENT it opens in the morning. For days before, and then after the storm, I would do this, mostly just because "hey, why not?" and they always had these items...for about 45 minutes each day. I usually went more for comfort stuff, but worth noting this for those who need/want more of these items.
In FL,, gassing up is probably the next biggest tip. As a storm approaches (i.e. a week before if you can), keep your tank full. Because stations will start running out and closing about 3 days before it hits. So if you waited that late. Forget it.
