Personal Responsibility: Irene Prep
I’m a native of eastern North Carolina (Greenville, to be precise), so I’ve had a little experience with hurricanes.
During grad school I rode out Bertha and Fran during the 1996 season, the latter slicing through hundred-year-old oaks like a scythe and dropping them all around us, including on our apartment building and the building behind us. If you’ve ever wanted an adrenaline rush, try standing on a third floor balcony during a hurricane for a couple of hours because that seems to be the safest place as trees topple around you.
I was living in Durham when Floyd paid my hometown a visit in 1999. A lot of the places where I spent time during my youth and college years simply no longer exist, and the scars on the land persist to this day. The stories I’ve heard from friends and relatives — floating caskets from washed-away cemeteries, boats driving down four-lane highways with ten feet of water under their keels — remind me of the power of these storms.
Now it looks as if Irene may well be the “next big thing” to visit, and it has the rest of the densely populated eastern seaboard firmly in its sights from North Carolina to the Canadian Maritimes, with the especially troubling possibility of a direct hit on New York.
As a bit of a public service to PJMedia readers who may literally end up in the eye of the storm, here’s a little bit of advice from someone who has been there, done that.
Put together an emergency kit like the one cited at Ready.gov. This will put you on Janet Napolitano’s terror watch list, but it’s still far better to be safe than sorry.
Here are some helpful modifications to the list that may not be obvious.
Don’t listen when they tell you to get a gallon of water a day per person. Instead, double that. If the power goes and the heat and humidity rise, you’ll be glad you did. Also, make sure you factor in food and water for your pets.
While they tell you to get three days of non-perishable food, they neglect to tell you to get three days of food you can eat without needing power to cook it, or else to ensure you have the ability to cook without external power. Canned soup is non-perishable in the short term, but if you don’t have a camping stove to cook it on eating will be a less-than-stellar experience.
Get extra extra batteries, especially for those that power handheld gaming systems your kids own. If you end up without power and the cell phones go down, this could save your sanity and keep you from hearing “I’m bored!” repeated over and over again.
Put new batteries in your flashlights the day before expected landfall and test them to make sure they work. After the power goes out it is a bad time to learn that the batteries you have in the light have gone dead, or that the bulb has burned out. You will never regret extra flashlights or LED lanterns.
Don’t forget something to occupy your time.
Books, playing cards, chess sets, checkers, etc. (Wiffile Ball and Bat, nerf football etc.) It’s not just little kids who get bored.
A lot of recovery is waiting for power, roads to be cleared etc. Having some thing to occupy yourself with no TV computer etc. is invaluable.
Also, buy a battery powered cell phone charger.
All good but lets remember after the hurricane.
The people left to die at some nursing homes and the Superdome after Katrina, the chaos and ….
There is no way to handle a major hurricane hitting NYC and other major cities,55 million people it’s going to be an unimaginable nightmare if it’s a cat 2,just with the flooding.
Imagine being in the middle of a hungry mob without sanitation or enough drinking water 1 week without power after the hurricane.
It’s going to make Katrina look like a kitten and it’s going to give Obama his first big ulcer.
So yeah – make a list of people to check on near you AFTER the storm passes. If there are a lot of elderly folks, give them a hand preparing before, and keep some extra extra supplies yourself just in case you wind up having to share with someone less able to care for themselves than you are.
That’s the sort of thing churches should be helping with, I think.
Think outside the box. When an ice storm knocked out my power for five days the LED solar landscape lights came in handy. I dug them out of the snowbank, let them charge all day in the sun then at dusk stuck them in a bucket in the house. Six or eight charcoal briquets inside a cast iron fry pan with a grate from a roasting pan became an improvised hibachi to use to heat soup and water of tea on a useless stove top.
A bathtub or laundry tub filled with water ahead of time and a gallon bucket allowed me to flush the toilet for several days because the power outage meant no water could be pumped.
Keep a land line phone on hand that doesn’t need a power boost. Phone service was restored three days before the power, which didn’t help those who only had cordless phones.
Hand cranked flashlights and chargers come in handy, but remember that most models need to be used once a month.
“Six or eight charcoal briquets inside a cast iron fry pan with a grate from a roasting pan became an improvised hibachi to use to heat soup and water of tea on a useless stove top. ”
Careful! That could be a severe Carbon Monoxide hazard.
Not when the window next to the stove is open a couple of inches.
OK, just checking.
And you just know, that for every nine people who vent where they cook, someone won’t. Wanted to be certain.
Killed yourself cooking? Here’s your sign.
Well no kidding! Raised up my GRITS (girls raised in the south) in Ayden, which was the only community I’m aware of that had power after Floyd.
More advise: Although fun, and part of coastal culture, “Hurricane Parties” are really stupid. If you can’t resist the temptation, be sure that someone stays sober and that you all stay put together.
You’ve got two days to bake–look at the things in the freezer that will not survive a thaw. Beef, pork or fowl can be cooked in a crockpot overnight while you’re sleeping and can be sliced or shredded into taco or burrito or enchilada filling which can be portioned and reheated easily in a skillet on a gas grill. Make sure you have 2 propane tanks for gas grill. Bread, Indian fry bread, tortillas can be made and kept in a plastic baggie on the kitchen counter for munching. Cookies and pie will last several days. You will need: Paper plates, plastic cutlery and disposable cups and paper towels. This will reserve precious water for something other than dishwashing. Confiscate the kiddos’ portable music devices to see if they have a radio receiver. Most FM stations will alter to an AM news format post hurricane to provide necessary news.
17 stories up in Manhattan, the dominion of Nanny king Bloom-turd. Should I start worrying or just get the hell out?
From a Floridian whose been in hurricanes since Donna in 61′
The way it looks right now ,today the ones left there after the damage is done will wish they had got the heck out when they could have.
N.J. Gov. Christie is already calling it a once in a hundred year,weather media once in fifty year.
The people are too uncivilized and pissed off already,how are they going to be when their lies are severely disrupted,and the city,state,fed govt’s stumbles and bungles ?
I think it’s going to make history,bad,bad history.
What a coinkydink. I was a kid when Donna made her run on Tampa where I grew up. I still remember the calm during the eye of the storm as it passed over but the season several years ago takes my personal record. Four of those bloody things came tearing through north central Florida where I now live. One of the rascals even turned east, went out in the Atlantic , made a u-turn and charged back across the state. I sat here without power for a total of two blasted weeks, surviving with a gas powered generator that I managed to get just before the first storm hit. No air conditioning except for a small window unit for the bedroom at night, no power for the well, thus no water, no water to flush the toilet except what I managed to fill up the bath tub with. Fortunately I have a gas stove so cooking wasn’t so bad, no ATM’s, thus no money, no gas, no electricity to run the pumps, no washer, no dryer, no hot water, but I used that gas generator to power the Ref. and the freezer full of food. What a nightmare, running the gas generator four hours on, four hours off, and off overnight. Having all that gasoline arpund the house made me very nervous, not to mention the danger of death by carbon monoxide.I learned my lesson. I now have a whole house natural gas powered 15 k automatic generator that starts automatically and powers everything except my four ton AC unit and the dryer. It runs everything, the well, hot water heated, washer, computers, ceiling fans, freezer, Ref., and every electrical item in the house for two weeks. You only have to hit be over the head with a 2by4 once to get my attention. I can’t tell you how much you will miss a warm shower or bath when the power
goes out. They told us the power crews will not even leave the shop until the storm passes. So good luck friends and stay safe and DO NOT RUN A GAS GENERATOR ANYWHERE UNDER THE ROOF, especially not in an enclosed garage! Death by carbon monoxide poisoning is nothing to sneeze at. It happens all too often during power shortages.
There’s a hurricane map on the web somewhere that lists the evacuation zones for New York. If you’re in a 17 story building it should comply with building codes that address hurricane class winds and might even have a diesel generator. All in all, this storm’s probably not another ’38.
Bloomie is trying to go all out to make sure this isn’t as big a boondoggle as the blizzard. It’s older buildings, southern queens and coney that are the real risks.
If there is a backup diesel generator, odds are it’s a ground level.
A little language correction (What do you expect? This is a conservative site).
If you see us “on the other side,” it’s because we all failed to keep ourselves safe, if you get my drift.
Back in the day, I expirienced a Typhon…what they call Hurricanes in the western Pacific. Now I realize that sheet steel is not as common a building material as in the 3rd world..but…much like tornados the deadly stuff is the flying debris….
Best stay in shelter..goggles or not…I saw a running man get hit by a sheet of steel…instantly 2….
I have seen straws embedded in tree trunks after it ends.
Plenty to drink; Water; Sports drinks;
Portable radio; Beer; Insect repellent; Ear plugs;
Yep! Ear plugs so you can sleep; For the noise your neighbors are going to make with their G** D*** generators.
You also might use them when Obama comes on that radio to tell you how bad it is, and how much it is going to cost.
If you end up having kids that are bored because their video games don’t work, just tell them the insect repellent is gone; Swatting mosquitos replaces video games.
If you expect to have to work while wet and muddy, nothing beats military surplus work clothes. They are great. Uncomfortable to start with, perhaps, but they do not get horrible like normal, civilian clothing.
while I have never done a hurricane i’ve lived through northern latitude severe storms (Beaufort 11 -12) with accompanying 5 day power cuts, and also had the delights of a middle eastern revolution earlier this year.
some thoughts then based on experience;
get storm lanterns if you can – they provide heat and light both and don’t require batteries. they do require kerosene and spare mantles, and some skill in operating so have lots of spares and practice beforehand
have matches, lighters etc in waterproof containers, and have lots of spares
have clean drinking water in 5 gallon drums – i bought 10 before the egyptian revolution so knew I had drinking water enough to last no matter what happened
remember pets need water and food as well – my dogs doubled as guard dogs so were earning their keep.
dry animal feed is revolting if it gets wet….
if you own clothing such as Columbia Clothing hiking gear, make sure you have it to hand. its handwash in anything and drip dry; lightweight and prevents sunburn. if you don’t have some, it may be too late to get some
wear sensible shoes, hiking books, work boots. fallen debris can mess up ankles and cause cuts and bruises to feet. damaged feet = no mobility.
batteries are great but think about what you and any children will do when internet and mobile phones don’t work and there’s no power. an excellent time to learn chess, and relearn how to enjoy a good, long book. have playing cards as well. children can learn that solitaire does not need a computer….
I had a month’s supply of food for myself – half of which could be eaten cold. no gas = no cooking power
canned tuna, potatoes, sweetcorn, waterproof containers of dried fruit, nuts, sealed packs of long life bread
disposable plates and cutlery and drinking vessels
LOTS of garbage bags; its going to be bad enough without squalor
insect repellant, insect killer
keep your barbie/grill inside, it will be invaluable after the storm and useless if its been thrown into a wall at high speed
if its gas, have at least 3 gas bottles somewhere safe
put tape over windows to reduce flying glass – look at WWII info for good examples
make sure you have an upper way out of your house in case of flooding, and make sure everyone can get out of it
own a manual can opener, a manual corkscrew – there’s no point having food if you can’t get to it
if you think you’re going to be flooded, write contents of cans on the top in marker pen in case the labels get soaked off
have eye shades and ear plugs, sleeping bags and towels. 2 changes of clothing and a way to wash and dry them (I find dove shampoo washes everything in the whole world.)
stay sober. the middle of a crisis is no time to be drunk.
AMMO. Pickup truck (borrowed/stolen). And all the gasoline you can safely store. In case ya got to outloot the looters.
Living in California, where storms never hit us like the east coast. I appreciate the tips for survival. I love east coast, I especially remember Savannah, will be back someday. Be safe.
Additional things on the list for prep:
Medicines to last 2-3 weeks
Hygiene products
Feminine hygiene products
Foods you can eat without cooking: peanut butter (any nut butters), tuna, crackers, dried fruit, PowerBar-type bars, canned fruit.
Foods requiring no refrigerated storage and that you can eat with minimal cooking: canned foods, pastas, rice.
Plastic bags, lime, and a 5-gallon bucket in case there’s no water to flush the toilet…and don’t pee where you defecate, as it messes up the chemistry.
Pliers, hammer, wrenches, prybar in case you have damaged property to get through or repair.
Plenty of cash in small denominations.
Several rolls of duct tape.
No no no, just wait for the government to help you out. Obama will send all those hungry people free waggu beef straight from the deli’s of Martha’s Vineyard.
No weapons loadout? If you’re the only prepared house on the block, they’re probably pretty necessary.
First priority, guns and ammo. I can always get stuff like food and water from folks that neglected to gather sufficient guns and ammo.
Just kidding, of course. For the morons, I’ve got plenty of food and water, always do. Come on by and share in our hobo stew. Keep your hands visible as you approach, natch. No offense.
If you’re a prog, consider this a great opportunity to see what it’s like to actually support yourself. You leech-like m’fers.
If you have an RV, stock the thing with propane, food, and water, and LEAVE.
Best advice: Go somewhere else a few days before it gets to your area if you’ve ever seen 3″ of water or more in the street, or if you don’t live in a stone building. It’s just plain stupid to sit there and wait for it, because there’s nothing you’re going to do to stop it. Take a short vacation. Go camping somewhere inland. It’s a lot better than watching your kids drown or bleed to death…or even finding them with “nothing more than a few broken bones and cuts” after it’s over.
NYC and New England haven’t taken a really good hit from a hurricane since 1938. It will be interesting to see how the pampered, govt.-dependent progs now infesting the region fare. Will Madison Square Garden become the equivalent of the Superdome in 2005? The famous baby Godzillas might be less dangerous.
Even though only a minor portion of Alaska’s population was here when the 9+ on the Richter Scale quake hit in ’64, it is seared in peoples minds. We live with deadly weather as well; at 30 below, if all your modern technology isn’t working, you’ll die very quickly. Most everyone is well equipped for a few days with no utilities, supplies, or other services. Most everybody has at least some experience with the outdoors and has equipment for outdoor living. All that said, life even here would become very, very desperate after several days of no services.
So, unless you are well equipped and experienced in life outdoors and without services, GET THE HELL OUT. I don’t care how cool and strong you think you are, how well-built your home is, if you don’t have personal experience, reading “Backpacker” magazine doesn’t count, in dealing with bad weather all on your own with no support, no services, and no modern amenities, only luck will prevent you from dying. RUN!
FEMA:
Telephone: 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
Tell them you’re a friend of Barrack Obama for priority treatment.
In spite of what was seen in New Orleans, I think most Americans are pretty resourceful. When my sister had a power outage in North Carolina one Christmas, we cooked our roast beef dinner on a grill and in the fireplace. it made us feel like pioneers….not victims. No matter how much you gather together for an emergency, I think you will always think of something you could have used. However, the name of the game is “make do”.
As someone who was directly in the landed area of NY, we were prepared with a buyout bag, extra food and water and left 4am Thurs to avoid traffic and any problems.
I attribute the mindset to following many sites recommended by instaundit, to surivalblog.com and the various liberterian/tea party blogs.
The government responded admirably, but I am stunned, they’ve given us no reason to believe in the government as an instution. Sp hey, there’s that.
I made sure to get out early precisely because I feared just how inept government would be. Pleasantly surprised by I attribute it more to luck.
Great advice. It let us have the confidence that wed be okay if the hype ever lives up. Better to have and not need.