Water Storage for Hurricane Preparation

This is my recent Facebook post as hurricane Irma approaches.
Most of my posts are generated as a result of questions people ask me. 

Questions about water have been coming at me steadily, especially now that people cannot find water. It is safe to say that the entire state of Florida is in full-on hurricane preparation mode, as they should be.

The thoughts below are general and not comprehensive, for details about water storage and purification, visit this website and the links provided

• A few people have asked why we are all stocking up on water. There are several reasons. Water supplies may not be available or safe for drinking and cooking after a storm hits, again for so many reasons. Water pipes break, electricity goes off, preventing wells from running, water supplies have to be shut off during repairs, etc. 
• In my case, during hurricane Frances, we had a tree uprooted in our front yard and it broke the main water pipe to our house. We were the only home on our street that had this problem. 
• In our current neighborhood of 37 homes, we all share the same water meter. If something happens to the water pipes at one home, most likely, it affects all of us at some point, even during the repair process. 
• If you are storing water in your own containers, DO NOT re-use plastic milk jugs for water you are planning to drink or cook with. ( I learned this from Susan Bucklew many years ago.) 
• If you are filling containers with water, put them in your freezer to fill up any open spaces. This will keep your food frozen longer in the case of no electricity.
• If you are filling your bathtub with water, clean and disinfect the bathtub prior to filling. Use this water for flushing toilets and washing hands.
• We have always saved our bathtubs as back up "safe spaces" where we could go and put a mattress over our children/us if things got really bad during a strong storm. We fill the 5 gallon "Home Depot" buckets to keep in our bathrooms for flushing toilets.
• If you have a pool, that water can be used for flushing, also.
• Even if you have running water after a storm, here are 2 major thoughts 1) Confirm it is safe for drinking or eating (a notice from your local government 2) You may still lose running water during times of repair so keep a supply on hand.
• The above information is meant to help and is not complete. For more in depth information, go to the site  linked at the beginning of this post and use the links that may apply to your situation or answer your questions about water storage and purification.
• The main focus is safety, safety, safety. 
• Don't take chances

Hurricane Preparation- To Evacuate or Not

In Palm Beach County, preparing to stay home during a hurricane is generally the safest plan.
Even for a catastrophic category 5 storm, evacuation is more risky than staying home where you have prepared to hunker down. There may be damage to your home and property, but if you have prepared a safe area in your home, stay there, rather than try to flee.
Last minute evacuations catch people unprepared and stuck out on roads in traffic jams or in parking with no source to re-fuel a vehicle that has spent 12 hours to travel a distance that usually takes 2 hours. Not to mention..try to find a shelter with room or a hotel with vacancy. Not going to happen.

If you know you are going to evacuate during a storm. Leave early.  Leave early. Leave early. So early that people think you are over reacting. Be cautious and safe. Prepare your home and then leave with the supplies you will need for at least 72 hours. Prepare a backpack for each member of your family to use before, during, and after the storm.

Do you know if you are in an evacuation/flood zone? Here is the map for Palm Beach County. Don't wait until the last minute to discover that you should be gone. If you are in one of these areas, know where you will stay before, during and after the storm.

If you are in an evacuation zone and want to stay in the area,  where will you go? Friends? Family? A shelter? Where are the shelters? Which shelters accept pets? What if you have special needs? Special needs shelters have limited space and require advance reservations and applications
Check HERE for Palm Beach County emergency shelter information.

And remember...don't wait. There is no need for a last minute frenzy.
Stay safe!

Hurricane Preparation Tips

Hurricane Irma is moving closer to Florida.  Close enough that we are taking it seriously and I am posting my hurricane preparation tips on Facebook. After doing this for several years through several storms, I decided I should post those tips here where they will be easier to find in the future. I usually post tips depending on how far away the storm is and what the intensity is. Irma has me watching with both eyes wide open and this is my post from today, in no specific order.

With Irma's path uncertain, it is wise to prepare and plan. Based on some questions I have been asked in the last few days, here are some ideas, in no specific order, on how to prepare at this point.
If the storm gets closer, I will update.

• Don't cut down trees, large branches, limbs, or do any major landscaping that would create a pile of debris that may not be picked up before the storm hits. If you are certain the piles will be picked up, put coconuts, limbs, branches out for pick up.
• Prepare to stay at home and be without electricity for a few days (up to a week) Think about what you will eat and how you will safely store it and cook it. 
• Have water and food for one week. 
• Fill your prescriptions.
• If you have babies, young children, elderly, medical needs, or any special needs, plan accordingly.
• Review your supply of flashlights, lanterns, batteries, propane, fuel, etc.
• Test your generator and review operating instructions.
• Decide what you will run from your generator and do a trial run NOW rather than when you need it and something does not work. 
• Review the exterior of your home and decide what will need to come inside and what day you will do so. (Basically, EVERYTHING outside comes inside or up against the house/garage if the storm is coming at us) 
• Make a plan for your pets to stay comfortable and inside. 
• Fill your freezer. Don't leave any blank space.You can use crumpled newspaper, brown bags, or plastic containers filled with water (ice) to fill in the gaps. 
• I like to cook several meals and then freeze them so we eat well with limited preparation.
• I also like to keep cereal and boxed milk on hand for quick snacks/meals.
• And comfort food...remember everyone's favorite chips, cookies, cereal, and treats. After all, hurricanes don't happen very often.
• Wash laundry all the way up until the storm hits. Go into the storm assuming you may not have electricity to wash clothes, towels, etc.
• Locate and review all of your insurance paperwork and important documents. Make sure they are accessible and in waterproof envelopes/ containers.
• Store all of your family photos, history, papers, etc. in large rubbermaid/plastic storage bins. 
• Review your tools, supplies, and instructions for installing shutters. Decide when you will put them up and who will help you.
• Take photos of your house and yard. Go room by room. Include photos of electronics, antiques, jewelry, guns, furniture, etc. Include photos of your yard, the location of trees, furniture, etc. Back up these photos.
• Develop a plan for communicating with family and friends before, during, and after the storm.
• Fill your cars with gas (don't complain about lines or prices- our homes were not destroyed or flooded like Houston)
• Fill up gas cans for generator fuel.
• Have cash on hand for after the storm to pay for food/gas/ clean up help etc. Don't, however, be bullied by price gauging. Report it.
• Don't evacuate at the last minute unless it is mandatory. Evacuating at the last minute is more dangerous than staying in your home that you have prepared. You run the risk of getting stuck out on the roads in traffic jams with other cars who cannot find fuel and cannot get to a safe place in time before the storm hits. The routes out of South Florida are limited, making evacuation at the last minute a bad idea.
• If you know you will not stay in your home or apartment during a storm. Make your plan to leave early.
• I am not an expert. I have learned through experience, and from many others who have generously shared their experience over the years.
• When your preparations are complete...help your neighbors. We are all in this together!

Stay tuned for the next level of hurricane preparation recommendations. Irma is looking like it will require more attention. 

Hanna, Ike, and Josephine

Here, We Talk About The Weather

There Is Much To Discuss...

At this point, Hanna is heading NORTH and my area is

"Out of The Cone of Error" Whewwww. My mind will rest at

ease when I board the plane this afternoon...at least about

Hanna...Now there is IKE and JOSEPHINE to watch.

I should be able to take my trip and return before

IKE or JOSEPHINE hit this area, if they do at all.

Try packing a child up for college, packing yourself up for

a 5 day trip, and preparing (sort of) for a Hurricane.

This morning's local report stated that IKE was the one for our

area to watch with BOTH EYES WIDE OPEN!

This is the latest image from Weather Underground. I find them

to be the most informative and accurate.

Latest news is that we are no longer in a drought, Florida.

Thanks to the buckets of rain from Fay, the Lake is almost too

high for the dikes to hold if/when another storm hits.

Don't like the weather????? Stick around it will change.

There is always something to talk about with our weather,

like it or not....it is just a fact of life here in Paradise!

I have to whine about Hurricane Season,

yet I would still rather watch and Prepare for Hurricanes

than shovel Snow and worry about Ice Storms!

Can You Believe How Stinking Busy

The Tropics Are?

Hanna Is Not Going To Montana

Where Is Hanna Going???

Not Montana...For Certain

At this point, I live within the

"Cone of Error" or "The Strike Zone"

Oh... all the "Hurricane Lingo" has become a natural

part of my speech over the past few years...

I could do without any of it, "Feeder Bands" and all.

I have to board a plane with Andrew (time to head to college in Utah)

while Hanna is trying to make up her mind.

Until Hurricane Gustav fizzles completely, no one will know for certain

where Hanna is headed...not even Hanna.

The big question is....will I have to head home early or will

I have to stay in Utah longer. I can think of worse places to get

"stuck", but I just don't want to get stuck THERE when my

little girls are HERE, even if they are with Ron. I hyperventilate thinking

about being separated during a storm.

The next few days will tell....

For now...Hanna...please make up your mind so I

can make up my mind!

Why oh why did I think that I could make travel plans

at Back To School and or Labor Day????

Perhaps the past 2-3 quiet years in the Hurricane Department

had me forgetting that the weather seriously does call the shots

when it comes day to day living.

The 2008 season is here to remind me...your plans can change

with a gust of wind.

On a positive note (I think)...

I guess I should be relieved to see that even if she hits

my area...she will hit us with her "Nice" side.

I call the front side of a storm the "Nice"side...

The Back Side is the "Evil" Side....a lot more damage, wind

and tornadoes come from the Back Side.

See...more Hurricane Lingo...told you I was a pro!

Ahhh.....Living in Paradise!

Where do you think Hanna is going to make landfall?

Oh My...Oh My....

Gustav....

So far, here in South Florida, we have dodged a few bullets

in the Hurricane department. Tropical Storm Fay was enough to

remind me that Gustav will be tragic regardless of when, where, or

who it hits.

Hanna may change South Florida's bullet dodging, however....

For this moment....

Watching the Track, Speed, and Strength of Hurricane Gustav

has my full attention. It is not headed here (whew...), but

my mind is on the millions of people it's path.

Fellow Bloggers.....

Unite in Your Prayers and Best Wishes

for anyone near The Gulf Coast.

Pray for those in the Gustav's Path.

Pray they can be out of harm's way, pray for safety before,

during, and after the storm.

Pray they will be wise in their preparations.

Pray they will have relief and recovery efforts in a timely

manner.

My mind is already playing the "what-if/what-can" game...

What if it hits this spot or what if this happens,

What can I do to be prepared to help

those who will inevitably be affected by this monster storm.

If you are not in Gustav's path....

Start playing the "What If, What Can" Game....

What if this happens.....?

What Can I Do To Help.....?

Your help will be needed...trust me!

Get prepared to help.

Stop, Look and Listen for needs. Don't wait to be asked...

anticipate needs and roll up your sleeves as soon as possible.

For those making preparations....

If you are staying in your homes....plan to be without electricity

and/or water for at least one week.

If you are even remotely worried about flooding...pack up NOW

and get out. Do Not Wait!

If time allows, I will post some Hurricane Tips I have found helpful

through several storms.

Gulf Coast Friends.....

My Prayers are with YOU!!!!!

Storm Photo

Tornado Damage From Tropical Storm Fay

Wellington, FL...The Palm Beach Polo Equine Sports Complex

The Polo areas in Wellington were hit hard. If you have ever

been to Wellington, you will recognize these apartments

attached to the Polo Horse Barns.....Not a pretty sight after

Fay's Back Side spawned a wicked Tornado.

I heard the Freight Train sounding winds around 1:30am.

Little did I know they were connected to a Tornado just

across town. A family in our Ward had several windows

blown out of their house. They were in a safe area, thankfully,

but their house got hit.

Everyone is back to school today and moving forward.

Too much excitement in one week..Back To School, A Day Off

From School, a Tropical Storm, and A Tornado!

Does it make your week seem calm?

Photo from Jon Way, AP

Storm Update

Good Bye, Fay!

Our Electricity just came back on...HOORAY...

We had the second day of school OFF today...

Tropical Storm Fay's fury reminded me I am grateful she was

only a Tropical Storm... not a Hurricane.

During the night and early morning, it felt and sounded like the

Hurricanes we have experienced over the past few years.

We were on the "Back" Side of the storm...the evil, dirty, strong

side. The side that Tornadoes spin from.

Here in Wellington, We got the Tornadoes. I heard the freight

train noises around 1:30AM. The Tornadoes hit over by

Tiger Shark Cove, Yarmouth Drive, Palm Beach Polo, Players

Club, and several Polo Horse Barns. Enough damage that

the National News Agencies featured us. It was just so out

of the blue.

Fay is still churning. She hit on the Southwest coast and then

came across the state at more of a West-North path. We felt

more wind and rain that I anticipated. I was sure we would not

lose our power, but we did...for most of the day today.

For those in still in her path.. stay safe...take her seriously!

Double Grrrrr

It Really Must Be Back To School...

Fay has her sights set on Florida....every square inch of

Florida. She does not want one area to feel left out.

My favorite place to Track Tropical Storms is

Weather Underground.com

Here is today's forecast.

Happy Back To School!

If I did not know it was Back To School or that a Storm was

approaching, the hysteria in the grocery store yesterday

would have clued me in. Lots of panicked shoppers.

People I spoke with wanted to spend the weekend preparing

just in case she made an turn to the east.

Grrrrrr

A Certain Back To School Sign...

If I did not know School starts next week, this is certainly

a clue.....No, not that my HOUSE is a total MESS from

too much summer fun....

Tropical Storm Fay is pointed at South Florida....

Maybe....A Strong Maybe...OK....A Very Strong Maybe!

While Miss Fay could take a number of paths, at this point,

she has my attention.

She could interrupt Back To School,

and some upcoming travel plans.

Our newly installed Hurricane Shutters are hopefully the best

insurance against a direct hit from any future Hurricanes.

Fay has my attention, but I am not obsessing about her yet.

I still love living here in paradise!

I am sure many may think I am crazy,

but Hurricanes come, do their damage, we recover,

and move on.

Still better than a Loooooong Cooooold Winter with

snow and ice.

Happy Weekend!

Photo From: WeatherUnderground

Winner #2

Summer of 2008 Giveaway #2

And The Winner Is...Linnea.

Erika also guessed correctly, but Linnea was first!

(Send your Snail Mail Address, Linnea!)

They guessed that I have boarded up my house for 6 Hurricanes

in the past 28 years here in South Florida.

Not bad for 28 years in a Hurricane Zone!

I should have boarded up for Wilma in 2005, bringing the total to 7,

but we were certain Wilma would not be "that strong"...

we could not have been more wrong

as we spent hours watching the

glass on our back sliding doors "bow" in and out

and we took turns holding on to each other (Ron and Me)

as we held the front door closed (I was sore for days after)

We have decided now that we have invested in permanent accordion shutters,

we ensured No Hurricanes!

Click HERE to see the Contest Details

Click HERE to see the Book she won

With Jeffrey and Alison getting married next week, blogging will be light and I may not have Giveaway #3 until Monday June 16. Stay tuned...I may do more than one at a time.
Winner Winner

Hurricane Season-Giveaway #2

Hurricane Season Is Here!

June 1 marks the official beginning of Hurricane Season.

After living here for 28 years, I say..

.I would rather experience a Hurricane than a snow storm...really!

We can go an entire season without even the threat of a Hurricane.

I don't know many winters that go without snow in the northern climates.
Since I live in South Florida, I am using

my experience with multiple Hurricanes as part of my

Summer of 2008 Giveaway.

See end of this post to enter.

Below are Photos of my house the morning after Hurricane Frances. We could not get out of the doors or the garage. My car was safely in the garage. We also could not figure out why everyone was taking pictures of our house. Once we got out and around the neighborhood, it was clear, we were quite a sight. Even the newspapers were taking photos of our mess.

Note.... the little Saturn. It is STILL on the road. Andrew wanted to move it so a tree would land on it and smash it. We told him NO, move it up next to the house so it will be safe. He did not listen and left the car out near the trees. It did not get smashed, as he hoped, in fact, not a dent or new scratch from that tree on it. Had Andrew parked the car where WE, his parents told him, he would have had his wish come true.... That large pine tree came crashing right down where we told him to park. In this case, I am glad he was free-spirited Andrew and did not obey. Oh the stories that Saturn could tell if it could talk!!!! It is still roaming the streets of Wellington. We got it from Mary A, used it for Jeffrey and Andrew, then gave it to our former neighbor who used it every day and then recently gave it to a friend. I think we could all get together and do a Saturn Commercial! Anyone? How about some stories about that Saturn... the ones you can tell.. come on guys, you are all grown up now! Your mom will laugh now!

The date on the photos is wrong.... Hurricane Frances hit in September 2004 with Hurricane Jeanne hitting 11 days later almost in the same spot!

Note the Boarded Up windows. Try being inside with NO Electricity to stay cool or to see. Once the boys left home, out of necessity, we got permanent accordion shutters that we can close from the inside and have the house secured in 30 minutes. What a difference!!!! As soon as the storm passes, they can be opened. With the boards... it was an all day process to board up each window. It took Ron and several helpers. Also, the Board must be in place before any winds start picking up...imagine being on the second story with a large piece of ply-wood in your hands when a gust of wind sends you flying!

We were amazed that more damage was not done to the cars.

My dad, Andrew, and Ron all worked to get the Boards up on each window while the weather was still calm. Ron also has to stay at work and check job sites when a storm is approaching. He is one tired man when the storm finally hits. He gets a nap and then it is time for CLEAN UP!
Ron worked for a day and a half to cut the boards for each window. We had just moved in to this house and there were no Hurricane shutters or boards. Yep, he was exhausted!
This was our life after Hurricane Frances...No electricity for 7 days. It came on just in time for Jeffrey to arrive home from Missionary Service and then....4 days later....Hurricane Jeanne hit! Yep....11 days apart right at us. Jeanne blew in from the other direction and cleaned up what Frances missed!!! The most wicked storm I have experienced was Hurricane Wilma. The backside of her was just plain evil.

You Can Win This Book!
With all that being said....I would still rather go through a Hurricane than winter snow storms anywhere! I am just not a fan of cold weather.We prepare, recover, and move on.
In the 28 years I have lived in South Florida...
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I ACTUALLY BOARDED UP MY HOUSE

(Any house I have lived in in S Florida) FOR A HURRICANE?
Enter your guess by making a comment by Friday, June 6 at midnight EST.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, John!!!!

And Katie, too!

(This post, appropriately, is centered around Hurricane Memories)

John is the most knowlegable and prepared person I know when it comes to Hurricane Preparations.

Below, September 2004, Palm Beach International Airport

Welcoming Jeffrey home from his 2 year Mission to Colorado.

This was in between Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.

Both Hurricanes hit Palm Beach County--with only 11 days in between.

Our electricity had just come on the night before after 7 days without! John and Katie made Welcome Home posters for Jeffrey and met us at the airport. Most of the stores near us were still closed and I did not have anything to make a poster with, plus, quite honestly, I was worn out and not thinking clearly.

Jeffrey had to stay in the Mission Home until flights to Palm Beach resumed.

We had planned to go to Colorado to pick him up, but Hurricane Frances made sure we could not leave. Jeffrey was home 24 hours and got put to work cleaning up after Frances and then preparing for Hurricane Jeanne. A memorable time, but one I don't care to live again.

This is a "Double-Dip" Birthday Wish. John's Birthday is today and Katie, his wife, celebrates her Birthday this Saturday, May 3. I will not be near my computer all weekend, so this early wish for Katie is as sincere and from my heart as ever!

John and Katie stepped in when their electricity was restored

(within 24 hours..I still think they paid off Florida Power and Light-Ha!)

and came by my house, picked up all of our stinky laundry. They washed, dried, folded and delivered it back to us.

With Jeffrey's return, I was so concerned about not having electricity, him returning to this hot humidity and not having the house clean and orderly, not being able to cook/bake anything decent for him,along with all the piles of laundry that were mounting.

I am so grateful for this act of service. Most of all, I am grateful for the friendship, love, and support of these incredible people.

I love you, John and Katie!

John and Katie thought to take this photo of when I first saw Jeffrey.
They also took this shot of us all together (minus Curt) for the first time in 2 years.
The top of Megan's head is there near the bottom.

Noel- No Thank You

Watching With One Eye Half Open...

Tropical Storm Noel

I should not be worried... I should not be watching..however.... the track is still too uncertain for me to close both of my eyes and rest easy.

As my friend, John Klemas, aka, Hurricane Hunting John, said in his blog...

It (Hurricane Season) Aint Over Til It's Over....

Thanks to John's years of Hurricane Preparation Seminars, I am not worried about the preparations.

Five Day Forecast

Hurricane Season In Paradise....
Living in South Florida, I am very tuned in to Tropical Storm activity, aka the beginning of a hurricane. In fact, this is one place where talking about the weather is not rude or boring.
Today, I have been concerned about the people in Hawaii as they prepare for a direct hit from Hurricane Flossie. As I was looking up the Hurricane Flossie track, this caught my eye...

Look what is forming in my neck of the woods.... Tropical Depression #4.

This map from Weather Underground.com shows the 5 day forecast. I love this website for any weather information. It is where I stay tuned when a storm is approaching (at least while I have electricity). I will also be checking the blog of my friends, John and Katie K. John is the biggest Hurricane Watcher I know. I have learned so much about being prepared for a Hurricane from the years and year of John presenting Hurricane Preparation Seminars. Thanks John!

I was just thinking that it is Back To School Time, which in South Florida=Hurricane Season kicks in to high gear. I really don't mind the days off and the preparation and being home together.

I do mind the no electricity for days after a storm in the sweltering heat with my windows boarded up.

I set a goal to get my 3-Car Garage cleared enough to fit my car inside one of the sections.. just in case a hurricane comes this year. Guess I had better complete the task. When a storm is on the way... too late to clean... there are too many other tasks that need to be done in preparation for High Winds and No Electricity.

Once Flossie hits, then, please keep your eyes on my neck of the woods. Pray for the people of Hawaii to be prepared and safe as this storm approaches.

For me, this is just another day in Paradise, as my Bishop would say.