For lotta joy

My new friend lotta joy left a comment with questions and concerns about our current experience with this tropical storm, and yes, we still have rains and wind today. The storm has made a very slow turn to the north, which gives us the bands of rain. So far we've had six plus inches.

lotta joy and her husband are new to the state of Florida. She and her husband are old hands when it comes to snow and ice, but hurricanes and tropical storms are a different breed of beast and require different preparations.

Let's make this simple - read this book.

Crisis Preparedness Handbook by Jack A. Spigarelli, and try and find the updated second edition. Amazon has ample stocks. The book is concise and simple to read and will prepare you for any emergency, either natural or man-made.

I do not believe in prepping for only one kind of emergency. It's a waste of time and energy. Prep for all that this old world will throw your way; if you need examples just ask the survivors of the Warsaw ghetto and victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Everyone wants a list. Fine, here are but a few items I have and keep in stock at my home. This list isn't from a book. I was born and raised in the state of Florida and have dealt with many hurricanes and storms. This list is from experience and I strongly urge you to pay heed.

You need:

Books - of course. An education is priceless, and hey, when you're bored you'll have reading material.

Radios - the power will leave you in the dark. Notice I didn't write, might. The power will say bye-bye. Get a couple or three. I believe and preach a 'back-up to a back-up to a back-up.' We refer to this as the rule of three. I have shortwave and crack (dynamo) radios. I own several of each.

Raingear - duh. You will make trips outside into the rain. Find good quality raingear. I purchased mine at Lowe's. I'm sure Home Depot has good raingear in stock.

Hurricane lamps (kerosene) - again, back to power outages. You'll want several of different sizes. Remember, the lamps burn fuel. I keep five gallons, in a blue container, stored in my garage.

Matches - or lighters. I prefer the 'strike anywhere' matches and have at least two cases stored. Again, this is one of those, duh items. It's hard to light a lamp wick or stove without fire.

Flashlights and fresh batteries - Again, several. Fresh batteries work better than dead batteries. I also have a nice supply of rechargeable with a charging station. A good headlight is worth its weight in gold when you're out in the dark rain with a tarp or chainsaw in hand.

Tarps - You will need a large tarp and a few small ones. Buy a tarp big enough to cover any hole in the roof of your home. Think, huge. Then, purchase some rope and cut six foot sections and attach these sections to the grommets on the tarps with knots tied in the loose end of the rope. This will help you either attach sash weighs or other heavy objects to the tarp. If you have a nearby handy tree, like the one that just made the hole in your roof, tie off to its limbs. Rain in your living room isn't good for libraries.

Generator - if you have the funds I highly recommend you have the generator hard wired to your house. Our generator has saved our bacon more times than I can count. It will give you (depending on its wattage) power to at least seven circuits. You will have power to keep your refrigerator and/or freezer cold, lights, ceiling and portable fans and a small window air conditioner. We've used ours for periods of two weeks or more....life will still be a challenge but at least, if you have satellite service for your television, you'll be able to catch the news reports and stayed informed as to the movement of the hurricane and its offspring, tornadoes.

Food - another duh. Keep a years supply of stored food. If I need to explain this...never mind.

Stored Water - not those silly little bottles, which are nice, but many gallons. Treat the water with bleach. The aforementioned book has this information. I have three blue barrels (blue is food grade) filled and treated. You will need a pump for the barrels. This gives me one hundred and sixty-five gallons of fresh water if needed. Remember, city and town water pumps need power. When the power fails gravity takes over so you should have water for a couple of days unless the water supply becomes contaminated. Store water, period.

Portable stoves - see Food above. I have a gas range so I just strike a match when the power goes, poof. If you have a gas grill try and keep at least two extra propane tanks. A good old fashioned Coleman stove will serve in a pinch. Hit Ebay and try and find a good quality alcohol stove too. Military grade if possible. Rule of three, remember. 

Firearms - Critters, moon fleas, democritters, and other scum of the earth always take advantage of the weak during power outages. I've had neighbors leave their generators, powered and attached to their panels, out and unprotected during the night. Guess what happened to those generators and other equipment in their garages. Home invasions take place on a nightly basis. Just a word to the wise.

Chainsaw - or two if possible. Think high wind. When winds reach hurricane levels (seventy-four) trees not only bend, they fall. Been there, done that. Take my word, a working chainsaw will save your bacon. Mine, at present is broken. It will be repaired or I will replace it.

Enough, I've covered the basics. Please, read the book. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck.

Stephen