Ready or Not...Storms Don't Care

HISTORY	HURRICANE HAZARDS			FORECAST	PREPARE	ACT
Sunday 23 May '10	Monday 24 May '10	Tuesday 25 May '10	Wednesday 26 May '10	Thursday 27 May '10	Friday 28 May '10	Saturday 29 May '10

Due to the 'crash' I'm making this post almost a week later than I planned but it doesn't matter much as long as you are paying attention now. This week has been and still is Hurricane Preparedness Week - the link will direct you to much more information than I'll go into here, and is well worth a look, even if you consider yourself a hurricane season veteran. Everyone I know takes this season extremely seriously but it won't hurt to re-visit some of the information, if only to remind yourself to check over your supplies and paperwork for any updating that might be needed. Without trying to be a scare tactic sort, this year is estimated to be high in the number of storms and I don't think any of us can disregard the bizarre warm weather we had all winter. As ever, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and remember to keep the liquor cabinet stocked!

We were lucky with bad boy Omar in 2008...
I was very glad to be as ready as possible though

This is my amended list of what the Red Cross and others suggest - I've upped the water and food amounts particularly. 3 days worth of anything just isn't enough here in the islands, especially Culebra.

* Water—at least a two week supply; one gallon per person per day
* Food—at least a two week supply of non­perishable, easy­to­prepare food
* Non electric can opener/paper plates/plastic utensils (I hate advocating plastic but the less need to wash the better)/extra trash bags
* Topped up gasoline in cars, generators, boats, extra if possible in safe containers
* Extra propane/cooking fuel
* Flashlights with working batteries /extra batteries
* Battery­ powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
* First aid kit
* Medications ( two week­ supply if possible, minimum if critical) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
* Multi­purpose tool
* Sanitation and personal hygiene items (things like baby wipes are great, along with the rest)
* Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) in waterproof containers - even sealable plastic bags are better than nothing
* Cell phone with chargers
* Family and emergency contact information
* Extra cash (remember, no electricity, no ATH)
* Emergency blanket
* Map(s) of the area (well...maybe you can skip the map here)
* Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
* Toys/books/games
* Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
* Tools/supplies for securing your home
* Extra set of car keys and house keys
* Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
* Rain gear
* Insect repellent and sunscreen
* Camera for photos of damage
* Plan for where you will go for the storm if your home/boat is not storm worthy (and in a serious storm, your boat is not!). If you won't be at home, an emergency grab bag with your documents and basic supplies is a good thing to have. Evacuating in a hurry - and don't wait until the last minute - plan your work, work your plan - can be full of anxiety, an easy time to forget things that you'll wish you had with you.

Ok, that's a long list! But as you gather it together - a good idea to be doing that all year, little by little, such as an extra tube of toothpaste, a package of batteries, an extra can or two of food each time you do a shopping, along with filling and storing water bottles (hey, we've GOT water now, use it - even if you don't want to drink it, it's still the cheapest way to go for wash water), makes it easier than waiting until the last minute, when all the other people who delayed will be trying to get the goods they wish they'd gotten before - you'll find it's not huge and the feeling of readiness is a good one.

So, that's it, my official Get Ready post for 2010. Of course I'll be reminding all of us as the season goes along, but as we know already, the weather doesn't give a damn about the calendar, so ready up, people!

It can happen here...Hugo, 1989
While there have been other damaging storms since then,
Hugo showed is how bad it can get

While looking for Hugo photos, I came across this man's log he kept (and put on the web at a later date, obviously) while on his boat here during Hugo. While I've heard a lot of stories and have seen a lot of photos, nothing made me feel quite as sick at heart as reading this hourly account. If this doesn't ramp up your 'get ready' attitude, I give up!