Hurricane Irene

**nuisance26** · 08-26-2011, 08:04 AM

~The East coast is going to get slammed. We're in South Jersey and it's expected to hit early Sunday morning with 75-100 MPH winds. I think this is the biggest storm I've ever had to prepare for.
Today I'm making ice, filling water bottles to put in the big freezer, packing changes of clothes, toys and diapers. DH is stopping for milk and bread on the way home from work. Tonight we are securing everything in the yard, moving the cars out from under trees and gathering all our important papers into one tote for to grab quickly if we need to evacuate.
If we stay there's a good chance that we will not have power for a few days. We don't have a generator but with public water and a gas stove, we've been ok in the past. We just don't open our big freezer and everything stays frozen for days. The kids hate the lack of tv. I hate the lack of AC and fans.
The most likely scenario is that the storm weakens by the time it gets to us but it may not. My brother's family lives right in the storm's path in NC. I'm praying for it to weaken now.
What is everyone doing to prepare?~

**OOwl** · 08-26-2011, 08:14 AM

That is very scary, and I'm praying for everyone on the east coast. Hopefully it won't be as bad as they say, but it sounds like you are well and responsibly prepared. Prayers are with you. . .

**Darlene** · 08-26-2011, 08:21 AM

Smart lady, doing all you can for just in case gives you such peace of mind.
Here we'll be putting away outdoor furniture and I'll double check with dh on the gas situation for the generator. We usually are ready at any time for power outages etc. Hope the rain isn't at it's worse case scenerio, I won't have a home if that happens. My guess/hope is that it maeks a turn & heads out to sea. Stay safe!

**Lady_V** · 08-26-2011, 08:30 AM

cooking a crock of chili, a chicken, soup etc... then in to the chest freezer.

bread, crackers, pb... non-perishables

I figured it was easier to eat the precooked frozen than try to cook from scratch when we lose power - gas stove. In the event there is no gas... cold food beats no food.

I have a few gallons of water for drinking, a few gallons by the toilet, 5 gallon carboy at the ready.

**savvy_sniper** · 08-26-2011, 08:33 AM

Charge up your cell phones ahead of time. You might not be able to make phone calls after the storm, but you MIGHT be able to text. Found that out after Ike.

**AmyBoz** · 08-26-2011, 09:02 AM

Yep...looking at some scary stuff in Northern Jersey, too. Governor declared a state of emergency.

I bought two cases of water yesterday, will fill the tub tomorrow. I'm doing all laundry today. I bought some canned food and boxed stuff yesterday. We are charging all electronics and phones. Will bring in outdoor furniture tomorrow...its all wet right now from last nights rain. Cleaning up the sofa beds in the basement and moving the pack-n-play down there.

Fingers crossed for it to weaken or change course...stay safe all!

**TheRootedNomad** · 08-26-2011, 09:21 AM

When I lived on Long Island and Gloria hit we were without power for quite a bit and had tons of trees blocking the road with no streetlights.

Possible suggestions:

~ if you have a grill an extra tank or two or charcoal (we grilled every night even with a gas stove so we didn't heat the house)

~ get some dry ice now and keep in the sealed baggies to be able to pull out to use for a small cooler. (We stood in line for hours and by the third day without power there was none to be found)

~ If you have big trees near you pick up a can or two of ubber bright glowwy type spray paint. As teenagers we volunteered to spray paint big blobs on the large trees laying in the side streets after a couple of cars hit one or two. The headlights reflect off the faster than the tree.

**Contrary Housewife** · 08-26-2011, 10:27 AM

Everyone stay safe. I rode out Hurricane David back in '79 and Hurricane Frederick just one week later and it was terrifying. Our next door neighbor had a 50 foot pine come through their livingroom window. The ones in our yard missed us by 3-4 feet.

Some advice from reading what friends went through during Ike: if you do not have a chain saw get one now. It will make clean up much easier on you and your neighbors.

A hand axe is a good tool to have too.

While I've been reading that some emergency services are in place now it generally takes 1 week for them to respond. Have food and water on hand that will last that long.

Top off the propane for your grill.

Take photos and/or video of your property NOW for insurance purposes, and put it in a safe, dry place.

**MissSeetonFan** · 08-26-2011, 10:29 AM

I'm not in the path but I did read a post that suggested take pictures, lots of pictures, now! For insurance purposes, get photos of everything from documents to the electronics to the walls of your house to your cars, etc... to document pre-storm conditions, in case it really goes bad and you need to prove a claim. If your camera can do it have the date and time stamp on the photo. I know digital cameras save that anyway in the bits and bytes but it would help it to be on the actual photo.

Also, gather games, books and other activities for your down time during evacuation or during the power outage while you wait.

Good luck to everyone waiting in the path!

**fernykins** · 08-26-2011, 11:38 AM

Stay safe everyone.........
Fern

**Darlene** · 08-26-2011, 12:29 PM

We got some things done this morn...
~all lawn furniture, umbrella, grill put away,
~cars moved to safer spots,
~sump pump hooked up & tested, all set. Nice to know this and the generator work before you need them for real.
~all things moved up off of basement & garage floors.
~gas & propane, all set
~all set with food for us & pets
~have good supply of meds

**Libby** · 08-26-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Take photos and/or video of your property NOW for insurance purposes, and put it in a safe, dry place.

If time permits, upload your pics to an online photo site and keep the settings set to private or so that only you can view it. This way should something happen to the camera or portable storage device, you'll still be able to access them - if needed. Just be sure to remember you log in/password!

Maybe set up a notification system as well - in advance - of who calls whom to let spread the word among family & friends that you're safe, kind of like a phone tree?

Stay safe everyone!

**Dancing Lotus** · 08-26-2011, 01:44 PM

If you have power out, remember it's an opportunity to build some great memories with the kids. Make tents in the living room with sheets and play a ton of board games with them. I have seen many hurricanes since i was a kid and I remember liking the power outage because my dad spent time with us.