Organizing in a Hurricane

One more month to the end of Hurricane Season, but the last three months are when some of the most vicious storms have formed.
I live in "Hurricane Alley" and almost every year we are guaranteed to at least get one storm of the season. One of our most devastating Hurricanes was Hurricane Ivan. Generally hurricanes are catastrophic but this one definitely was. We now refer to time as BI (before Ivan) or AI (after Ivan). During Hurricane Ivan, NASA actually reported that they could not see land from the telescope and that we were completely under water and that the Island (Grand Cayman) was no more. For a while there it really felt like it was all over. Many people said good-bye to their family members and waited for death as the flood waters rose inside of their homes forcing them to float up to their attics. 95% of the buildings received damage but luckily there was no loss of life.
The best way to survive a hurricane is to be organized, plan ahead of time and be ready for anything.

The good thing about hurricanes is, thanks to radar we all know its coming. The bad thing is to be complacent and not plan.

If you already live in a hurricane prone area I'm sure you already know the basics of shuttering your home and clearing any debris around your home etc., to prepare for the storm so I won't get into that area.

Organize Your Hurricane Tote:

1. During the months when there are no hurricanes, keep an eye out for sale items of non-perishable foods, this will save you money and time standing in line when a storm is looming. These foods should be stored in a separate container for easy access to prepare meals after the storm.
2. Organize a large airtight container per person in your household.  Everyone should have their own goodie bag, preferably one on wheels that can be toted easily if you have to leave your home or shelter in a hurry.  The good thing about plastic containers…they float!

Your container should include the essentials: toothpaste, toothbrush, disinfectant wipes, anti-diarrhea, constipation, allergy and cold medicine, talcum powder, feminine products and toiletries, a first aid kit per family, 4 rolls of toilet paper, mini garbage bags for sanitary purposes, sanitizer, flash light, lantern, dried fruits and nuts, heavy boots and sandals, small cushion (used for pillow and seat), twine, sharp knife, sleeping bag, candy, salty snacks, and an item that will bring you comfort during the storm. Keep in a cool dry place.

3. Officials say 2 gallons of water per person....but after surviving a high Cat 4-5 (controversial) hurricane, veterans double that suggestion. The humidity increases and the storm sucks the air with it, so it will be sweltering and you will consume a lot of water.
4. Store hurricane items in a water proof container. Ziplock and Space bags are great especially when stored in a plastic airtight bin. 
5. Make copies and scan important documents such as driver’s license, passports, birth certificates etc., and store them on-line so that you can have access to them after a storm. Sites like www.dropbox.com are great sites for backing up info for free. This is very important, if you have to re-locate. 

6. Monitor your National Weather Service for updates on the storm and heed their advisories. A great storm site that I’ve just found is called www.stormpulse.com the graphics are great and shows you how far away a storm is from where you are.

This one will send you back to the Stone Age but the Telephone Landline that does not have a/c power was a lifesaver. The older the phone, the better. In our home it outlasted all of our cell phones and overseas calls were still coming in on our landline long after the cell phones died. Can you hear me know… lol.

This is another strange one… but “going commando” (no underwear) will lessen your chances of getting a heat rash but if you do, talcum powder works wonders and vitamin E kills the itch.

Tetanus Shots! Yippee. There is not doubt about it, after a storm there will be cuts, scrapes and injuries so make sure your family vaccinations are up to date and go to a hospital as soon as you can.

Monitor the media for updates. Have a plan and a backup plan. Don't wait until the 'final hour' to seek safe shelter. Be safe.