I’m tagging this for Team UFYH because the information may just help someone out that isn’t as used to disaster planning as I am. The safety officer at my job sent out this e-mail the other day, and with Hurricane Sandy/Shitstorm/Frankenstorm/whatever you want to call it coming our way, I figured it couldn’t hurt to post this. Yes, a lot of it is common sense and it’s a hell of a tl;dr, but there may be one or two things on the list that you may just have forgotten for yourself.
Irene hit us pretty hard - last year we were out of power for a week and ended up running our fridge/freezer and sump pump off of a generator, and we were pretty lucky all things considered - but others I know weren’t as lucky. It can never hurt to be too prepared, and even if we can all look back on it and laugh in a couple days, at least we’ll be ready in case that’s not how it works out.
With Sandy quickly approaching the US Northeast, (which seems to be a hurricane, wrapped in a nor’easter, tucked inside of a tropical depression – a turducken of storms, if you will), it’s a good time to talk hurricane preparedness.
One other suggestion: Gas up all of your vehicles and generators before the storm hits. If you need to get out of dodge in a hurry, you don’t want to be stuck in a line of people waiting for gas…or worse yet, be unable to get gas if there are widespread power outages.
General Supplies
- Pack a to-go bag: This ‘basic’ overnight bag should be easy to take with you if you have to evacuate in a hurry and should include a change of clothes, bottled water, flashlight and important documents.
- Cash: ATMs and credit card machines may not work for a while after the storm.
- Battery-operated radio and extra batteries: Make sure you have extra batteries so that you can keep up with news reports and alerts. Hand-crank radios work well, too.
- Secure a two-week supply of prescription medicine: Anyone on prescription medications, should pack a two-week supply of their meds in a sealable plastic bag, clearly labeled.
- Flashlight and lanterns: Make sure you have a couple of flashlights, candles, matches, lanterns and other alternate sources of light.
- Personal hygiene items: It might be hard to get to the store to buy toilet paper, tissues, soap and other sanitary items after the storm.
- Extra keys: Having an extra set of keys in your kit is a good idea in case people get separated or if they’re lost in a flood or the confusion.
- Pet items: Remember food, medicine and water for your pet, too.
- Disinfectant: You never know what mess you’ll have after a storm.
- Extra batteries: You’ll need extra batteries for your radio, flashlights, and other items. Get these early before they all sell out.
- Baby stuff: Diapers, wipes, etc.
First Aid
- Basic First Aid Kit: Keep this on hand for general purpose.
- Antiseptic solution: Keep this on hand to keep infections at bay.
- Allergy medicine: Storms can blow in all kinds of stuff that drive your allergies wild.
- First aid instructions: Print out instructions for the Heimlich, CPR and other basic aid in case you panic in an emergency.
- Mosquito repellant: If it floods — or even rains a lot — your area could have a serious and potentially dangerous mosquito problem.
- Prescription glasses: If you run out of contact solution or all the nastiness in the air after a storm irritates you, you’ll have back-up glasses.
- Duct tape: You can use this to fasten bandages, hold large lacerations together and even splint broken bones.
- Gauze, bandages and band-aids: Even little cuts and scrapes need to be dressed, so have a range of bandages on hand.
- Hand sanitizer: Nothing compares to soap and water, but in a fix, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will help.
Repair and Maintenance
- Plywood: Nailing plywood over windows is still the best option for protecting the inside of your house.
- Sand bags: If you live in a low area, especially, use sand bags to dispel water.
- Bring outside furniture indoors: Move patio furniture and pool toys into the garage.
- Turn off utilities if you leave: Before evacuating, shut off power, propane gas and water, but leave on natural gas unless told to do so by authorities. A licensed professional is the only one who can turn it back on.
- Anchor mobile homes: Pre-1994 construction mobile homes probably aren’t anchored well enough to stand even Category 1 hurricanes.
- Buy impact resistant glass: Well before you hear about any storms, replace older windows with higher resistance ones.
- Prepare your pool: Make sure water drains fro the deck, store toys, and close umbrellas.
- Lock windows and doors: Lock up your windows and doors for personal safety and to keep the wind from blowing them open.
- Prune trees and shrubs: Loose limbs and plants will fly around easily when the winds pick up.
- Get storm shutters: Place these over glass doors, windows and skylights.
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure these will work even if the power is out.
- Buy tarps and rope: Already have these items on hand so that you can start repairs as quickly as possible to prevent more damage.
Food and Water
- Food and water should last for 72 hours: Make sure you have enough supplies to last everyone in the house for at least 72 hours.
- Fill bathtub with water: If you’re going to get hit pretty badly, give your family an extra supply of water by filling a sanitized bathtub.
- Be aware of boil water alerts: After a storm, you may have to boil water for a few days at least due to flooded wells, spilled sewage and other contamination.
- Prepare your refrigerator ahead of time: Stock your freezer with dry ice to keep food frozen longer if the power goes out.
- Get out your ice chest: Fill an ice chest with ice or dry ice before and after the storm to keep food cold.
- Canned foods: Canned meat, fish, fruits, soups, milk and vegetables are all smart, easy-to-prepare options.
- Pick higher calorie foods: You’ll need to eat foods with more calories and nutrition per serving to sustain your energy.
- Buy perishable foods right before the storm: When everyone else is out buying canned items, you can buy cookies, raisins, dry cereal, pepperoni and cheese that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. These will give you more variety but will still last a few days if you don’t have power.
- Use camping gear: If you have basic camping gear like a small grill, you can make simple meals while the power’s out.
- Baby formula: Don’t forget to store enough baby formula and baby food if this applies to your situation.
Power Outages
- Consider a generator: These will make your life much easier during a storm, but understand the carbon monoxide risks.
- Keep numbers of energy companies handy: Write down or store in your phone the numbers of energy providers so that you can notify them of an outage.
- Use grills and gas cook stoves outside: Gas grills and generators carry a carbon monoxide risk.
- Stay away from downed power lines: Let trained workers clean up the damage.
- Have a realistic understanding of restoration times: It may take longer than you think. Having MORE food and water than 72 hours is a very good idea.
- Drink lots of water: When it’s hot and you don’t have A/C, drink water to stay cool and hydrated.
- Know how to connect a generator: Be sure that you or someone understands how to do this, and the dangers and precautions that must be met if connecting to the home’s electrical system.
Stay safe, everyone!