Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready

13

Replies

  • vikinglander
    vikinglander Posts: 1,547 Member
    edited September 2017
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    Went to the freaking store just now to buy groceries for a client who hires my sister and I to shop for her, clean her home, and pick up HER clients from the airport.. OMG.. they are cordoning off gas stations and the stores are RAPED! Like.. who bloody needs creamer during a "potential" hurricane?? We are on the NC coast. If it DOES hit us (and that's a big IF) I don't think the items they are stocking up on are exactly life savers.. Beer.. Why beer??? Cream cheese????? And wow.. all they left is wheat bread. (That explains Americans obesity issue..)

    I live in MS and went shopping just to be "prepared" because we moved here in July from a desert. I witnessed people buying tons of water along with a ton of diet soda and large quantities of alcohol. Clearly, I can tell where the hurricane parties are going to be if MS gets hit.

    Gas wasn't cordoned off, but the station near my place has been packed full every day since last Friday.

    My heart goes out to anyone in Irma's path, or anyone dealing with rebuilding life after Harvey, and anyone else coping with a natural catastrophe. I hope you get the help you need when you need it and come back stronger than before.

    That said, I'd just like to comment on the issue of supplies and the shortages that occur in the face of an imminent threat. This always happens and it's tragic. Typically there are three days worth of food in most grocery stores, no matter how big. The time to think about these things is when there is NO hurricane or flood or fire or earthquake.

    You should ALWAYS have a kit ready.

    If you live on the coast where hurricanes are an issue...the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. So enjoy your holiday season and winter vacations, then start in MARCH to begin making sure you are ready for what comes.

    One might imagine that there is a season for wildfires or tornadoes, but in general either can devastate a home or a community any time. Prepare NOW.

    There is no 'season' for earthquakes, either. Prepare NOW.

    There are many websites to help organize such kits and preparedness. Two of my suggestions are:

    https://www.ready.gov/

    and

    http://www.equipped.org/disastertoc.htm

    In particular, on the Equipped To Survive website, the Primary Disaster Preparedness list is extensive and comprehensive, and can be adapted to any level of need and/or budget:

    http://www.equipped.org/earthqk.htm#erthqkkt

    There are virtually thousands of other websites to reference for things like water and food storage, tools, kits, etc. Do the research, make a plan, buy the best quality gear you can afford, and take good care of it so it's there when you need it.

    Since this is a weight loss site, a note about our diets. In the face of a natural disaster, you will burn A LOT of calories just dealing with the stress and the physical demands of the situation. Plan your food stores accordingly. You should expect to burn at least 20% to 50% more calories if you have to travel on foot, or repair a damaged home, or help evacuate neighbors. If you are a first responder, that's a whole other ball game...you can conceivably burn upwards of 3000 calories a day, easily.

    Another important lesson I have learned is "Store what you eat, and eat what you store."

    In an emergency, you will NOT be happy with having to grind hard winter wheat into flour, unless you are used to doing it on a regular basis already. And if you've never eaten Spam, it is NOT a good choice to find out you hate it when it's all there is!

    Eating what you store means rotating your supplies over the course of 6 months or a year.

    The disaster preparedness officials recommend 3 days (72 hours) of food, water, etc. I say more is better. I have a month's worth of food in the house at any given time, because that is just how we shop.

    Lastly, don't forget the toilet paper!

    Good luck to anyone who is riding out the melee in Florida. I hope you had the foresight to be prepared, and if not, I hope you find the resources you need, when you need them, to survive and rebuild.

    Make good decisions, and BE SAFE !!

    PS: ALCOHOL is the LAST thing we need in a disaster! The rescue crews have it tough enough without having to haul someone's drunk *kitten* into a boat!
  • KosmosKitten
    KosmosKitten Posts: 10,476 Member
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    Went to the freaking store just now to buy groceries for a client who hires my sister and I to shop for her, clean her home, and pick up HER clients from the airport.. OMG.. they are cordoning off gas stations and the stores are RAPED! Like.. who bloody needs creamer during a "potential" hurricane?? We are on the NC coast. If it DOES hit us (and that's a big IF) I don't think the items they are stocking up on are exactly life savers.. Beer.. Why beer??? Cream cheese????? And wow.. all they left is wheat bread. (That explains Americans obesity issue..)

    I live in MS and went shopping just to be "prepared" because we moved here in July from a desert. I witnessed people buying tons of water along with a ton of diet soda and large quantities of alcohol. Clearly, I can tell where the hurricane parties are going to be if MS gets hit.

    Gas wasn't cordoned off, but the station near my place has been packed full every day since last Friday.

    My heart goes out to anyone in Irma's path, or anyone dealing with rebuilding life after Harvey, and anyone else coping with a natural catastrophe. I hope you get the help you need when you need it and come back stronger than before.

    That said, I'd just like to comment on the issue of supplies and the shortages that occur in the face of an imminent threat. This always happens and it's tragic. Typically there are three days worth of food in most grocery stores, no matter how big. The time to think about these things is when there is NO hurricane or flood or fire or earthquake.

    You should ALWAYS have a kit ready.

    If you live on the coast where hurricanes are an issue...the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. So enjoy your holiday season and winter vacations, then start in MARCH to begin making sure you are ready for what comes.

    One might imagine that there is a season for wildfires or tornadoes, but in general either can devastate a home or a community any time. Prepare NOW.

    There is no 'season' for earthquakes, either. Prepare NOW.

    There are many websites to help organize such kits and preparedness. Two of my suggestions are:

    https://www.ready.gov/

    and

    http://www.equipped.org/disastertoc.htm

    In particular, on the Equipped To Survive website, the Primary Disaster Preparedness list is extensive and comprehensive, and can be adapted to any level of need and/or budget:

    http://www.equipped.org/earthqk.htm#erthqkkt

    There are virtually thousands of other websites to reference for things like water and food storage, tools, kits, etc. Do the research, make a plan, buy the best quality gear you can afford, and take good care of it so it's there when you need it.

    Since this is a weight loss site, a note about our diets. In the face of a natural disaster, you will burn A LOT of calories just dealing with the stress and the physical demands of the situation. Plan your food stores accordingly. You should expect to burn at least 20% to 50% more calories if you have to travel on foot, or repair a damaged home, or help evacuate neighbors. If you are a first responder, that's a whole other ball game...you can conceivably burn upwards of 3000 calories a day, easily.

    Another important lesson I have learned is "Store what you eat, and eat what you store."

    In an emergency, you will NOT be happy with having to grind hard winter wheat into flour, unless you are used to doing it on a regular basis already. And if you've never eaten Spam, it is NOT a good choice to find out you hate it when it's all there is!

    Eating what you store means rotating your supplies over the course of 6 months or a year.

    The disaster preparedness officials recommend 3 days (72 hours) of food, water, etc. I say more is better. I have a month's worth of food in the house at any given time, because that is just how we shop.

    Lastly, don't forget the toilet paper!

    Good luck to anyone who is riding out the melee in Florida. I hope you had the foresight to be prepared, and if not, I hope you find the resources you need, when you need them, to survive and rebuild.

    Make good decisions, and BE SAFE !!

    PS: ALCOHOL is the LAST thing we need in a disaster! The rescue crews have it tough enough without having to haul someone's drunk *kitten* into a boat!

    Great advice. However, I am prepared because I came from a place that is currently on fire (SoCal) and have previously lived in places that had earthquakes (Japan) typhoons (also Japan) as well as tornadoes (the Midwest). I've just migrated place to place adapting my kit as necessary. Thankfully, most of my supplies are useful for all those situations. I simply thought it would be in my best interest to have more water, some Sterno and canned foods (because I had run low from our move from Cali to here). Thank you for the links and advice though! Hurricanes never really had impact the last time I lived on the E. Coast (Virginia), so it's a bit different here where the impact can definitely be felt.

    Thankfully, still not in the forecast for Irma to hit here, but you never know. That turn to the north that the NHC keeps predicting still hasn't happened yet and I've just been watching it inch its way closer and closer to the Gulf as they keep moving the cone westward.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    edited September 2017
    4n813gff2qmm.jpg
    f3oq84nhq9zh.jpg
    zt9qwop9xo3i.jpg
    hix01rsv1t43.jpg
  • CaloricCountess
    CaloricCountess Posts: 202 Member
    Depending upon where you take shelter it's also imperative to've a hammer, saw, etc. because you might get trapped via heavy furniture, trees, etc. blocking your exit & thus you might've to create 1!
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    edited September 2017
    It's not to late get out of Miami and surrounding areas. It's the water that does the most damage. Even if you don't get flooded some roads may be to unsafe to travel. Which means supplies will be hard to get. Stock up!

    6ywko6o0j681.jpg


  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    w6p8ebtomjtq.jpg
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    I'm mostly ready, but tomorrow will be busy - this afternoon path puts Irma in my back yard - Eastcoast Jim
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    It can still go back up to a cat 5. They still aren't sure where land fall will be, but it's a big storm so it doesn't matter which coast you live on. Expect infrastructure to be down for awhile. Plan for a week, maybe two.
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    ecjim wrote: »
    I'm mostly ready, but tomorrow will be busy - this afternoon path puts Irma in my back yard - Eastcoast Jim

    Where are you at?

    Lake Wales - right in the middle of the state - just South east of Lakeland - Eastcoast Jim
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    Thanks - The path may shift - if not we will get wacked - Eastcoast Jim
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    Thanks - The wind has me concerned - my garage is in poor shape - I will move the motorcycle in the house
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    LOL - don't have one - that's why I can bring the bike inside
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    are you affected by the storm ?
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    She should be getting some weather Sat night - Sunday - the feet on the beach pic looks like Fl.
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    It's hard to tell the difference - I just checked the NOAA site - the projected path is now up the Gulf coast - away from WPB & my back yard
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    Maybe it won't turn north at all and just keep going west.
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    km8907 wrote: »
    Maybe it won't turn north at all and just keep going west.

    Should somebody tell Texas?

    Wouldn't rule it out
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    My first on Monday was landfall between Tallahassee & the Texas line
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    I meant my prediction on Monday...
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,475 Spam Moderator
    cee134 wrote: »
    vp1zq20c61hh.png

    September 5, 2017
    As much as you don't want the devastation, the actual site from space is breath taking.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,475 Spam Moderator
    Something that I've always wondered: if an area is prone to damage from wind on a SEASONAL basis, then why not build structures that are much better to withstand it. You know, like DOMED buildings instead? At that point you're not building for taste, but to ensure a better chance of not having to rebuild all over again and again.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    A dome would work but the Fla Atlantic coast is condos from Jupiter to Miami - some are pretty tall
  • ecjim
    ecjim Posts: 1,001 Member
    Good night all - I have a busy day tomorrow
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Something that I've always wondered: if an area is prone to damage from wind on a SEASONAL basis, then why not build structures that are much better to withstand it. You know, like DOMED buildings instead? At that point you're not building for taste, but to ensure a better chance of not having to rebuild all over again and again.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    After Andrew, Florida law mandated that structures statewide must be built to withstand winds of 111mph, and in Miami up to 156mph.
  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    I pray you all are safe. i'm just watching the news and they where talking about people who are staying. I think you would have to be crazy to stick around
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,475 Spam Moderator
    km8907 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Something that I've always wondered: if an area is prone to damage from wind on a SEASONAL basis, then why not build structures that are much better to withstand it. You know, like DOMED buildings instead? At that point you're not building for taste, but to ensure a better chance of not having to rebuild all over again and again.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    After Andrew, Florida law mandated that structures statewide must be built to withstand winds of 111mph, and in Miami up to 156mph.
    Yet roofs get torn up due to air pressure lifting them off. The "structures" can withstand the wind against it, but not once the wind gets inside of it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    3mrr72gzltdk.jpg
    1j7zfhwempjb.jpg
    92rjpech8d3x.jpg
    8zn1rm5z6x4h.jpg
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    I pray you all are safe. i'm just watching the news and they where talking about people who are staying. I think you would have to be crazy to stick around

    I'll answer this as my friend answered earlier.

    "The population of Florida is over 20 million. All of Florida will somehow be affected by the impending hurricane. Over 5% of the population of the state (over one million people) are facing a mandatory evacuation. It's not feasible for every human to escape the state. So, to those who are staying put, we are not necessarily doing so because we want to- we are doing it to care for others or to clear the roads for those in greater danger. We're staying because we aren't in evacuation zones while our friends and neighbors are. We're staying because there are shelters nearby and no gas to get anywhere safer.

    I've read a lot of posts saying "get out." But, to those who have to stay, to the first responders and the medical providers- to the disenfranchised and the oppressed- to those who cannot make sense of the projections and where on earth one is meant to go to escape a storm of this magnitude- to those stuck and those wondering- to you I say "be safe." Getting out isn't feasible for 7% of the US population but being safe is."
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    km8907 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Something that I've always wondered: if an area is prone to damage from wind on a SEASONAL basis, then why not build structures that are much better to withstand it. You know, like DOMED buildings instead? At that point you're not building for taste, but to ensure a better chance of not having to rebuild all over again and again.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    After Andrew, Florida law mandated that structures statewide must be built to withstand winds of 111mph, and in Miami up to 156mph.
    Yet roofs get torn up due to air pressure lifting them off. The "structures" can withstand the wind against it, but not once the wind gets inside of it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png


    Those are probably older structures not built to the new codes.
This discussion has been closed.