Today we will go to the store to get a few more things we need. We will keep our vehicles full of gas. We will probably stay unless the hurricane is cat 5. We stayed for Hugo (cat 4), and evacuated for Floyd (cat 5 predicted, but actually came ashore as cat 1). Hugo knocked down some trees on our current house. That was 1989, and the remaining trees are much taller now. I expect tree damage, loss of siding, and loss of shingles at least.
I keep all my family photos in plastic Rubbermaid containers, stacked in one closet. As an extra precaution, I will put them in Ziplock bags within the containers. It is quite a task because I have thousands of pictures. Whew! If the storm hits, I will probably move the containers to the middle hall, away from windows and doors. During the storm, we will probably stay in the laundry room. It is in the center of the house, under the stairwell, with a door.
We will bring in all loose outdoor objects (porch Flag, bird feeders, grill), or secure them. I empty the concrete bird bath and lay it down on the ground. I stick my hanging plants in the mulch on the ground. Hubby takes down the big Flag at the subdivision entrance, and we keep it at our house. We contact our out of state relatives to let them know our plans (to stay or go).
We will check on our elderly neighbors next door, and help them bring inside a few things. I will email Deaf friends to make sure they are keeping informed.
If we leave (doubtful this time), we will take the photo boxes with us, our portable safe, food and water, clothing, medications, extra eyeglasses, personal care products, towels, wipes, pillows, blankets, folding chairs, air mattress, family tent, family heirlooms, camera, address book, and laptop computer. (If you have a PC instead of a laptop, download to a jump drive and carry just that, or take just the CPU; don't try to carry everything; remember to reacclimate your CPU before you turn it on again because of condensation.) We will carry a small "kiddie" dome tent and portable potty. Why? We learned the hard way during the last evacuation. There are no rest rooms available when you evacuate. Not even woods. We were stuck in a non-moving line of traffic for eight hours. Fortunately, we took Hubby's work van and our car. When I had to pee, I went to Hubby's van for a little privacy and used an empty "Big Gulp" plastic cup. If we leave again, I will have my own little porta-potty setup in the kiddie tent at the side of the road.
If you travel with a pet, make sure you bring their food, water, bowls, medicine, proof of shots, and tags.
If you travel with kids, make sure you bring their favorite toys for comfort. Don't bring toys that depend on electricity.
If you travel with babies, bring plenty of disposable diapers and small trash bags, formula, food, wipes, etc.
If you leave or stay, get cash out of the ATM before the storm gets close. The banks will be closed, the ATMs run out of money, and if it is even possible to buy something after, most people will accept cash only.
If you stay and expect minor flooding, for goodness sake, at least pick valuable things off the floor and put them on tables and couches.
Fill all containers possible with water before the storm hits. That includes buckets (useful for flushing the toilet) and the bathtub. Don't store water in your clothes washer because it will rust the tub.
We will eat up most of our perishables the next few days, and makes lots of ice for the cooler. If you begin early making your own ice, you don't need to buy bags of it ahead of time.
We know our evacuation route, and our local government has placed permanent evacuation route signs along all the roads. You should plan your routes early. Try to know at least two ways out of town, one thru main roads and one thru back roads. Check all your car fluids, tire pressures, and the condition of your spare tire.
Well, I have to go to bed now. After work tomorrow, we have more shopping and preparing to do. I hope it isn't necessary, and that Ophelia will turn out to sea but I can't wait until last minute to find out.
Sigh....
