Hurricane Florence preparation list:
Pretty comprehensive list.
Be prepared!
1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery back ups.
2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill with water and store in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize. Don’t drink bleach!
3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill washing machine and leave lid up to store water. If you have a front loader this doesn’t apply to you.
4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep near sinks for washing hands.
5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store in freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a back up water supply.
6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.
7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.
8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for first day without power.
9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.
10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.
11. Toss out any expiring food, clean cat litter boxes, empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.
12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.
13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.
14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor free environment. Store water filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.
15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.
16. Make sure you have cash on hand.
17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.
18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.
19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.
20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.
21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.
22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you’ll have to live in the mess you started with.
23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.
24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.
25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them. It’s not the time to risk clogging your toilet!
26. Run your dishwasher, don’t risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing yourself, and cleaning your hands.
27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don’t evacuate! You don’t need to store all water in the house. Remember to pack for pets as well.
28. Check on all family members, set up emergency back up plans, and check on elderly neighbors.
29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!
30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.
31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.
If you can, take a video of your house and contents….walk room to room–open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don’t forget anything)…I highly recommend!!!
I also heard you should freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top after it is frozen…keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful is you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup–you will know!!
Finally, anything that you want to try and preserve, but you can’t take with you—place it in a plastic bin and put in your dishwasher, lock the door—this should make it water tight in case of any water intrusion into your home. But of course, take all the important/irreplaceable items you can!!
@instructor144 you may want to share this for your followers in the path of the hurricane.
Let me add to this:
32. If you were unable to board the windows, nail old blankets up over them on the inside so should they break it might catch the main brunt of the glass.
33. Make sure your pets have plenty of food, water, meds, etc. Get any carriers ready in case you need to bug out.
34. Make sure your first aid kit(s) is up-to-date. Even better put it in a small tubby with extras like Tylenol, ibuprofen, ace wraps, tweezers, nail clippers, sewing kit, etc… You can get these things at the dollar stores as well.
35. If you can score it before the storm, dry shampoo will definitely be a godsend after sweating days on end.
36. If you have a charcoal grill, get the stuff for it. After the storm, if you’re safe, you can cook outside if need be. It’s also a means to boil water. Even if you have a gas grill, it doesn’t hurt to have a small charcoal back up. They are like $20 and charcoal is cheap and there will be plenty of fallen wood for fuel.
37. Make sure all tools are secure but are within reach and good-to-go for use. When the storm is over, there will be a lot of crap that will need to be cut up and moved and repairs to be made. Sharpen saws, charge batteries, etc.
38. If you have gas stoves or water heaters, turn off the gas to the house or at least plan on it. Know where the valve is. Hurricanes do weird shit to lines and pipes. You don’t need a busted line causing a safety or health hazard.
39. If you have a gas or charcoal grill, dried beans are your friends. They can be set to soak in a pot during the storm and you can heat the pot afterwards. It may be boring, but it’s nutritious. (To save on gas, you can heat the pot to boiling. Then you wrap the pot in layers of towels, sleeping bags, etc. and put it in a clothes basket. The insulation turns it into a slow cooker. A few hours later, you have food.)
I truly hope that all who can flee, do get the hell out. This is not a storm to be stubborn with. I know not everyone can leave. I absolutely know that. But, if you can, don’t stay. Seriously. It isn’t worth it.
If you can’t leave, plan for everything you can think of. Don’t stop preparing until the winds and rain make it impossible.
Y’all, look after each other. Be as safe as you possibly can.
32a. If you also use a vinyl tablecloth (either alone or on the window side of the blanket), it will prevent some of the water from coming through the broken window.
40. it’s too late for this storm, but look at getting some of the water absorbent tubes/noodles to catch water coming under doors or through windows. It won’t help with floods, but it will help with leaks. (example: https://www.mileskimball.com/buy-water-snake-moisture-absorber-344112 )
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