Hurricane Preparations

[John]

Have you done any hurricane preparations? I picked up a couple of five gallon gas cans yesterday and have been picking up bottled water from time to time to keep in the garage. Earlier this year I picked up a trailer hitch attachment (one of those small hitch trailers) to store the gas cans on in the event that we evacuate again. I have a garage door cable that I can use to lock the gas cans on to prevent theft. My wife is in the food business, so we’ve got plenty of canned food in the garage and just in case we need more, I picked up some MRE’s.

I am curious as to whether others are taking similar steps? Last year, a set of 2-mile Motorola radios came in very handy during the evacuation, but these have since gotten wet and need to be replaced. I noticed a set of 5 mile units being advertised last week for $25.00, so I may pick up a new set of these. For some reason, I feel like I still need more gas cans. I know I can use the gasoline once a storm has passed and the price goes to 4 bucks a gallon.

To keep some form of gun discussion, I know I will have a few pistols with me should we evacuate. If we take too cars, I am glad that state laws will allow my non-CHL spouse to carry in her car. There can be no question that she will be traveling if the car is loaded down and we are evacuating the area.

Other items for the road include a packed, light weight back pack complete with a tent, sleeping bag, dehydrated food, first aid kit, extra clothes, and other standard camping supplies. I still have memories of folks trapped on the interstate overpasses for days in New Orleans last year and that will not happen to me and my family.

Am I going to extremes?

[anygunanywhere]

Gas, food, water, RV, generator.

Pistols, Ruger mini-14 with 20 rd clip full of hollow points, Winchester 1300 riot gun full of 00 buck. The mini 14 and shotgun are right next to me in the cab. Big ammo can full of ammo.

Cash.

THE PLAN. The plan is currently under modification - mainly the route. I refuse to be herded like the rest of the sheeple and herds of illegals that crammed I-45 during Hurkane Riter.

Anygun

[seamusTX]

Am I going to extremes?

No. You can't be too prepared, unless you're bankrupting yourself to do it.

Don't forget water. If you stay at home during a hurricane, you're going to need a lot more water than gasoline. The roads will be impassible.

- Jim

[No4Mk1]

Hurricanes are only one potential disaster scenario in H-Town, so I pretty well stay at a "level orange" state of preparedness. Have 10 Gals of fuel and 60 Gals of water stored, and about a week of food. I have decided to either leave VERY early, or if that isn't possible hunker down.

Like Anygun I don't want to get trapped in the herd, but I also don't believe there will be "alternate routes". We tried "alternate routes" last time only to discover they were either blocked or worse than the primary routes.

Anygun, unless you're planning to head south, I'm not sure you're going to find a clear road out of town no matter what you take, unless you leave about a week early....

[John]

Don't forget water. If you stay at home during a hurricane, you're going to need a lot more water than gasoline. The roads will be impassible.

- Jim

I've been stocking up on bottled water and will continue to do so. Plus, I've got 18,000 gallons stored in the back yard for utility purposes.

To anygunanywhere: "Cash"... Excellent point. Need to make sure i have some on hand. How much? I've got my gun "hobby" stash in the safe. As to your RV, I think that would be great for evacuating, but what if you stay? Should it be tied down some how? I think I would want to strap it to the ground.

[propellerhead]

If I lived in Houston and a hurricane was emminent, I would contact friends or family in north Texas and ask if I could come over, or I would make reservations for a hotel room and start driving. I remember the cost of hotels shot up when NOLA evacuees showed up here in Fort Worth.

[Diode]

My mistake durring Rita (besides not having any firearms) was not having a small window AC unit. I had a generator to keep the frig and TV going but it was so dang hot those 5 days without power we hardly slept. I picked up one a couple weeks ago and I keep 20 gallons of petro in my shed and rotate it thru the lawn mowers durring the year. In fact this weekend I am firing up the generator and testing the AC unit, make sure it will all work if needed.

Along with all the usual Water, batterys, dry goods etc.

[seamusTX]

One thing to keep in mind: During an extended power failure, the sound of generators attracts "visitors." Some of them may be looking to "share" your good fortune.

If nothing else, expect sob stories.

I'm not speaking from personal experience here, but I've heard stories from people who were in Galveston in the aftermath of hurricanes and tropical storms.

- Jim

[Diode]

One thing to keep in mind: During an extended power failure, the sound of generators attracts "visitors." Some of them may be looking to "share" your good fortune.

If nothing else, expect sob stories.

I'm not speaking from personal experience here, but I've heard stories from people who were in Galveston in the aftermath of hurricanes and tropical storms.

- Jim

No one bothered us during Rita but a good point. I always tend to be VERY alert when the power is out and storms are around.

[Paladin]

Have you done any hurricane preparations?

Great minds think alike. I've been thinking about it since Rita. Rita was my first personal experience with a hurricane and things went pretty well... although there's plenty of room for improvement in my plan/preps.

Since last year I've been keeping more water on hand, much more food (Canned, MRE, Mountain House), purchased a siphon, more gas cans, spare lithium batteries, more XM193 ammo for my AR, and assembled a FEMA-recommended emergency bag. I also upped my flood insurance a bit.

I was very pleased that both the government and the media are being active this year telling people to prepare and be ready to be on their own for several days.

[Diode]

Have you done any hurricane preparations?

assembled a FEMA-recommended emergency bag.

Can you send me the FEMA Emergency bag list or where ot find it?

[Paladin]

Can you send me the FEMA Emergency bag list or where ot find it?

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/basic_preparedness.shtm

Look at the section "Assemble Disaster Supplies Kit"

[Diode]

Can you send me the FEMA Emergency bag list or where ot find it?

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/basic_preparedness.shtm

Look at the section "Assemble Disaster Supplies Kit"

Thanks!

[Paladin]

Last year, a set of 2-mile Motorola radios came in very handy during the evacuation, but these have since gotten wet and need to be replaced. I noticed a set of 5 mile units being advertised last week for $25.00, so I may pick up a new set of these.

During Rita, my "2-mile" FRS radios came in really handy. They were some of the most important gear we used. The radios were essential for coordinating our 4 car "convoy." I had a pair for my wife and I and had also given a pair to my wife's parents, so there were enough for each car. We had/used spare batteries too. My radios were "Cobra"-brand, that also had weather radio... but any FRS or GMRS radios should do.

I hear that HAM radios are much superior, but they do cost more and are a bit harder to get ahold of.

It seemed to me that during the evacuation, the basics were the most important. Well maintained vehicles with plenty of fuel, lots of water, someplace to go, money, proper home insurance, and communication were key factors.

Of course timing and picking a good route were also important. One of my buddies didn't listen to me about leaving with our family on Wed. morning. He delayed and delayed and got stuck in traffic on I-45 for what I'm sure was the experience of his life (At least he did listen to me about picking up some gas and water while he could)

[KBCraig]

Of course timing and picking a good route were also important.

Everyone needs one of these:

http://www.delorme.com/atlasgaz/

And it's a good idea to have them for neighboring states, to which you might need to evactuate.

Kevin