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I spent the day yesterday upgrading my school attendance records, organizing papers that need grading, and such fun stuff, so I wasn’t glued to the news regarding what some are calling the Storm of the Century. But, waking up this morning to the news, I’m taking it in stride. Not because I think the storm isn’t going to be a problem, but because I’d consider myself prepared. Regardless of the level of the storm, or the kitschy epithets the media give storms like this, it’s helpful to have a few things on hand– and to know a few things before the storm hits. Preppers are in their element, but what if you’re not a prepper? What do you do then?

Literally, know where your home is in relation to evacuation zones, flood zones, and the like. For those of you in NYC preparing for Sandy the Frankenstorm check out NYC’s evacuation zones.  I remember my dad telling me that our home is in a safe zone, but I checked anyway just to make sure. Also, keep in mind that a level 2 storm– which would be a mere hiccup in Florida– has the potential to be very damaging in the NYC metro area, as we saw last year with Irene. I’m not a supporter of evacuation, but if you are evacuated– leave. Don’t be the hero. Know how storm surges, high tides, and the like will affect you in your home.

Update: After watching the local news, not something I normally do, NBC mentioned an address locator on their website that allows you to punch in a NYC metro address and it shows you exactly where that address is in relation to the evacuation zones. I wish I had that before I spent about 20 minutes trying to compare evacuation maps against a map of the neighborhood to make sure that that unmarked line adjacent to Zone A was actually my street (it was).  Check out the locator.

Take a quick inventory of what you have in the house. Make sure you have each of the following covered: water, food, first aid, sanitation, security, communication, light and communication. It’s also helpful to have a 72-hour BOB (Bug Out Bag) on hand. But, if you’re one of those folks that think having a preparedness kit is overkill, remember: you are responsible for your own welfare. Not me, not your neighbors, and even though they want you to think they are, not the government. Chances are Murphy’s Law will kick in and when you need emergency supplies from the city, from the state, or the Red Cross, those supplies may not be available. Yes– I am a pessimist. So, it’s better to have a bare minimum of the necessaries on hand for a minimum of 3 days for each member of your household, including your pets.

It’s recommended to have 1 gallon of potable, or drinkable, water per person per day, plus a gallon for pets. For us, 2 adults and 2 cats, I’d say 3 gallons per day (for a minimum of 72-hours) is sufficient. But, preppers like to be prepared. Use your own judgement but don’t have less than the minimum. If you cannot get to the store to pick up a few gallons, or if the store is totally out– which is more likely since everyone decides to become a prepper when Uncle Sam tells ‘em to– then look to alternative water sources. No, I’m not talking about drinking from the toilet. Not unless absolutely necessary. Before you get to that stage, clean and sanitize your tub with bleach. Rinse and fill it BEFORE the storm is due to hit. This water can be used in an emergency. Because it’s open to the air, you’ll want to disinfect it before drinking. But, unless you’re a hoarder, drinking it shouldn’t kill you. Next, gather all your pots, jugs, jars, etc. Fill them with water. Since I do a lot of canning and home brewing, I have about half a dozen stock pots. The largest is 16 quarts, or 4 gallons. Filling them all would give me at least 15 to 20 gallons which would be more than sufficient. And, I cannot stress this enough: do it BEFORE THE STORM IS DUE TO HIT YOU. Don’t wait til it’s too late. Follow some simple guidelines on FEMA and use common sense.

This would require you to go shopping if you don’t have sufficient food stores already on hand. But, make sure you have at least 3 days of food that you do NOT have to refrigerate or heat to prepare. You also don’t want to stock up on foods that need water to prepare, or foods that will make you thirsty. So, while it’s ok in a serious emergency, nix the Ramen noodles. Also think of foods that are higher energy and will give you nourishment. If you have pets, don’t forget them. Have just as much food for them as you have for you. If electric is cut off, use your perishables first. But, remember, even without electricity, your freezer and fridge will act like a cooler. At least 24 hours before the storm is due to hit, take as many plastic containers as you have on hand and fill those suckers with water. Pop them in the freezer– and presto, you have homemade ice blocks. Emergency prep instructions tell you to have dry ice on hand. That’s brilliant if you can get it, but it’s expensive and it doesn’t last. You can get a few bags of ice, but so will every other nervous nelly. So, count on the stores to be out of ice. Make your own. If you don’t have containers, fill plastic bags. You won’t be using this stuff to cool your lemonade, but to keep your food colder longer. At least 12 hours before the storm is due to hit, turn your fridge and freezer to the coldest setting.

Make sure you have a basic first aid kit on hand. If you don’t have a kit, you should. FEMA suggests the following items to have on hand:

There are scads of other things to add. But, look around the house to see what you can use. Maxi pads and tampons can be used in place of gauze to pack a wound– but they are not sterile. Vodka or other liquor can be used as an antiseptic in an emergency. It’s vital to have medications on hand as well.

Often an item forgotten about, you must have enough supplies to remain in sanitary conditions. Illness and injury are the results if you’re not prepared in this event. Have enough toilet paper for several days. Be prepared, if the water gets turned off or if there’s flooding, flushing won’t necessarily be an option. So, things might get stinky. While there is water, you’ll be flushing conservatively– to use a crude motto: yellow is mellow, brown goes down. Keep a bucket, preferably of gray water, on hand and use that to pour down. If this isn’t an option and there’s concern about water contamination, turn off the water, flush to empty tank and toilet, and take a tennis ball and plug up the toilet. You can use the toilet as a bucket– line with plastic garbage bags and use. It’ll be helpful to have some kitty litter as an absorbent that you can put into the bag. Dispose of the bags outside, making sure you won’t contaminate the area. Use common sense and don’t fling your potty bags around. Likewise, don’t become one of those damned diaper hoarders either. On the other hand, you can go totally DIY and make your own composting toilet using a bucket lined with plastic and kitty litter. Dispose in the same way. If you’re looking at a long term disaster, you’ll have to think of other options, like digging a hole in the neighbor’s yard– provided a) you don’t like them and b) they’ve left. Alternatively, check out some preparedness ideas concerning sanitation. 

Make sure you have other sanitation supplies around to, in a nutshell, keep yourself and your surroundings clean. You’ll need to have extra water on hand to use for sanitation. Hence, why I like having a minimum of 3 gallons for us. FEMA doesn’t necessarily plan on water for sanitation because they’re giving information about emergencies of 3 days. But, as history has shown us, emergencies like Katrina lasted for more than 3 days. Again, use your own judgement. Filling the tub and having a bucket or pot or some vessel that can be used as a wash basin is advisable. Have soap, toothpaste, and the like on hand.

I mean more securing your home. Make sure everything outside that can get blown around is put away or secured. Anything can become a projectile, so don’t take any chances. FEMA suggests covering windows with plywood. Tape does NOT prevent windows from breaking, but may help keep glass shards from going everywhere. But– with high wind speeds, I doubt that. If you’re in a highrise, know if your building has an evacuation or safe room. It’s not suggested to ride out a storm above the 10^th floor. Check out what FEMA says about securing your home before a hurricane. 

Have tools and some basic items like a multi tool on hand. Use judgement about staying home or heading out. If you’re in an evacuation zone, secure your home before leaving– and take your pets with you. Make sure you have paperwork proving they’ve had their rabies shots and go to an evacuation spot that allows animals.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a security plan in mind if the disaster is worse than expected. The zombies will out when the power goest out– and I don’t mean the walking dead kind. Use your own judgement, but discuss options with your family to deter looters– and to protect your own.

Most preppers have a hand crank radio already, but if you don’t, make sure you have batteries and some radio to stay informed. Be sure to charge your phones before the storm is due to hit. Keep in mind that internet service will more than likely not work. But, it doesn’t hurt to have your techhie devices juiced up. Have a communication plan in place with your family and, if you like them (even if you don’t) your neighbors. It’s more than helpful to stay informed and up-to-date on what’s actually happening. FEMA suggests using text messages to keep in touch even if phone circuits are overloaded. 

Don’t think about light after the electricity goes out. Have flashlights and sufficient batteries well ahead of time. FEMA doesn’t suggest using candles, but that’s probably because the government lawyers don’t want potential lawsuits from nitwits who don’t know basic candle safety. Neither do I, so I’m not telling you to use them unless you know what you’re doing. I always have candles, and when the electricity threatens to go out, I pull out a few and make sure I know where my matches are. Use your head and don’t use your gas stove as a light source. If you have crumb-snatchers, you’ll have to be MacGyver, but have a game plan to keep them entertained. When I was a kid and we rode out a few storms, I remember it was a great time to tell ghost stories, have mom read to us, or we played a few rounds of Monopoly until the candles burned low. Or, here’s a wild idea, try talking to each other.

Have some cash on hand. Don’t wait to go to the ATM until the day of, most ATMs will be out of cash. Get enough for about a week or so ahead of time. If the electricity goes out, you won’t be able to use credit, debit, or ATMs. That almost goes without saying, but in this day and age sometimes it’s better to overstate the obvious.

Don’t call emergency services unless IT IS A GENUINE EMERGENCY! Don’t call them if your cable goes out and you can’t watch Jersey Shore. Don’t call them if you have no power. Use good judgement and don’t overstress the emergency lines unless you have a serious situation.

And, above all, remember the words of Douglas Adams: Don’t panic. Have a plan ahead of time. And remember our grandparents were always prepared for a rainy day, so why shouldn’t we. I’m not suggesting becoming a nutter with a hundred #10 cans of dehydrated peas in your closet, but having a little more than FEMA suggests ain’t a bad idea.

2013-02-16 08:00:39

Source: http://www.green-and-growing.com/2012/10/frankenstorm-some-basic-preps-to-have.html