July 2009 Weddings
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Girls who are used to hurricanes

We're being told to "prepare". I don't really know what that means since a) we don't get them often and b) I've definately never had one while in my own house.

What, realistically, should we be doing?

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Re: Girls who are used to hurricanes

  • Ya, I am not sure what is going to hit us. I know the rain and wind will be bad, but no clue otherwise. I heard NJ/NY are going to get hit hard. Stay safe everyone.

    BTW I am sick of the East Coast getting all this ridiculous weather. An awful winter, tornadoes, earthquakes (though very very minor), and now a hurricane. What's left?

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  • I'm definitely feeling for you east coast girls right now. I have no idea what to prepare for a hurricane but I imagine stores and things will probably close if it gets bad so I can suggest stocking up on supplies that they tell us for in earthquakes , batteries (in case electricity goes out), candles, food that can be eaten without electricy or gas, water (I know with earthquakes we are supposed to have bottled water in case of broken water mains)....

    Good luck!

  • Good question, Kate, I'm wondering the same thing! We live about 90 minutes northwest of NYC, so we're not near the coast, and usually just get residual rain from storms around this time of year. I have no idea what to expect here. We're also supposed to be on Long Island with friends this weekend, so we're trying to decide what to do about that too. I think we're going to move our outdoor furniture into the garage, and maybe pick up some bottled water and food supplies, but other than that, not sure what to do. The only hurricanes I've experienced were Gloria (and I was a year old) and Bob, and we lived in RI, and were much closer to the coast.
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  • I don't know how high of winds you're supposed to get but I've heard of people boarding up their windows to keep them from busting out. I know when we went through the tornado, windows were bowing in. That may help. Just a thought. Stay safe!
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  • imagektwed09:
    supposed to be on Long Island with friends this weekend, so we're trying to decide what to do about that too.

    I assume you guys get the NYC news where you are?

    I keep seeing stuff that they're anticipating LI could take a direct hit and they're already talking evacuation routes and stuff... rescheduling is probably a good idea.

  • imageKate&Mark:

    imagektwed09:
    supposed to be on Long Island with friends this weekend, so we're trying to decide what to do about that too.

    I assume you guys get the NYC news where you are?

    I keep seeing stuff that they're anticipating LI could take a direct hit and they're already talking evacuation routes and stuff... rescheduling is probably a good idea.

    Thanks! Yeah, I'm watching Bloomberg's press conference now. We are considering not going at all, or possibly leaving Saturday night, instead of Sunday, since it's not supposed to hit until Sunday. It would almost be easier if it were hitting Saturday because then it would be a more clear cut answer: DON'T GO! 

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  • imagektwed09:
    imageKate&Mark:

    imagektwed09:
    supposed to be on Long Island with friends this weekend, so we're trying to decide what to do about that too.

    I assume you guys get the NYC news where you are?

    I keep seeing stuff that they're anticipating LI could take a direct hit and they're already talking evacuation routes and stuff... rescheduling is probably a good idea.

    Thanks! Yeah, I'm watching Bloomberg's press conference now. We are considering not going at all, or possibly leaving Saturday night, instead of Sunday, since it's not supposed to hit until Sunday. It would almost be easier if it were hitting Saturday because then it would be a more clear cut answer: DON'T GO! 

    My BFF lives on LI so I hare bits and pieces of what they are saying. I imagine if they are telling some of the LI people to evacuate, even coming home on Saturday would be awful. There aren't many ways on and off of LI, so I would imagine the traffic would be a nightmare!

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  • imagekrissyrose210:
    imagektwed09:
    imageKate&Mark:

    imagektwed09:
    supposed to be on Long Island with friends this weekend, so we're trying to decide what to do about that too.

    I assume you guys get the NYC news where you are?

    I keep seeing stuff that they're anticipating LI could take a direct hit and they're already talking evacuation routes and stuff... rescheduling is probably a good idea.

    Thanks! Yeah, I'm watching Bloomberg's press conference now. We are considering not going at all, or possibly leaving Saturday night, instead of Sunday, since it's not supposed to hit until Sunday. It would almost be easier if it were hitting Saturday because then it would be a more clear cut answer: DON'T GO! 

    My BFF lives on LI so I hare bits and pieces of what they are saying. I imagine if they are telling some of the LI people to evacuate, even coming home on Saturday would be awful. There aren't many ways on and off of LI, so I would imagine the traffic would be a nightmare!

    Ah, that's a great point! Driving to and from LI is bad enough as it is :(. Ugh, we probably should just cancel. I'm having a little pity party for myself over here b/c we've so been looking forward to a fun wine tour weekend with our friends. But, obviously, there are more important things to worry about. 

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  • ktwed, please please please don't go to LI. If they are already talking possible evacuations, you should not be there. It's scary enough being evacuated when you know what to do/where to go or are receiving updating information from emergency reverse 911 calls because you live there. It's 10x worse when you don't. I know it sucks to cancel, but maybe try to find a last minute one somewhere else, or call and see if the company will be willing to reschedule you.

    Kate - you need at least a week's worth of non perishable, camping style food. Think carbs - oatmeal, granola bars, protein bars, canned fruit and beans. At least a week's worth of water as well. Cat food, cat litter, anything else they would need (this is where we were majorly underprepared for our tsunami evacuation - we did not have enough pet supplies on hand). A week or 2 supply of prescriptions either you or M take. Have warm blankets all ready to go. Having these items in a bin is even better, but not necessary if you plan to stay at home. Do you have a garage your car can go in? If so, do it. Having some tarps pre-purchased in case you end up with roof damage or window damage afterwards would be smart as well, because you won't be able to get immediate fixes from contractors, etc. and stores may be closed

     If you don't have a house phone (and even if you do), call your city or county and see if they have a cell phone reverse 911 system. Traditional 911 reverse only is able to call land lines. Some areas have created systems that will include cell phones for emergencies. Our community created one after the tsunami.


    I'm not really used to thinking about hurriance preparation, but it's not very different from tsunamis... I know it sounds like overload, and it probably is. But for us, if there was a major disaster, we're such a small town that realistically FEMA wouldn't get to us for closer to a week, not the three days they tell you to prepare for. Our entire survival kit is all food we'll eat anyway, and we do every few months go through and use it for regular meals and replenish. So don't feel bad about buying a bunch of random food.

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  • imageshortycole2:

    ktwed, please please please don't go to LI. If they are already talking possible evacuations, you should not be there. It's scary enough being evacuated when you know what to do/where to go or are receiving updating information from emergency reverse 911 calls because you live there. It's 10x worse when you don't. I know it sucks to cancel, but maybe try to find a last minute one somewhere else, or call and see if the company will be willing to reschedule you.

    Thanks for the advice! They're still trying to determine if/when Irene will hit. If reports stay the way they look right now by tomorrow afternoon, we won't go. It's just hard to plan for something so volatile, they really have no idea what the storm is going to do. I promise not to take any unnecessary risks, especially for something so silly! 

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  • Wow, I am definitely not taking this serious enough.  I guess I should hit up the shoprite for some bottled water and other non-perishables.  Oh, and batteries...

    I also need to look into that reverse 911 thing... 

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  • Cole covered most of it, but I'll tell you what we usually do in FL. Everyone has shutters of some sort after Andrew, so those usually go up on all the windows, since you guys don't have shutters, depending how bad it's going to be, you may want to board up or tape the windows. Have plenty of non perishable food, at least a week's with of bottled water, I think they say 2 gallons per day per person or something like that, flashlights, batteries, candles, extra medications, first aid kit just in case, pet food and litter, and a battery powdered or crank radio. Also bring in everything from outside that could blow away or become a projectile, like potted plants, patio furniture, etc. If you have a gas grill, get extra propane, you will want the grill and propane to cook, if you lose power for a while, or if you have a charcoal grill, get more charcoal/lighter fluid. Also if a window does break in a room, close the door and wear shoes, it sounds silly but during Andrew our bathroom window broke and my dad went in there to close the door and cut up his feet pretty bad because he wasn't wearing shoes.

    Good luck, I'll be thinking about you and hoping it passes you guys.

    ETA: Added some and clarity.
    T&Y Est. 7/4/2009



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  • Kate, not sure if you have access to TV or are able to keep an eye on  the news, but Gov. Christie declared a state of emergency in NJ and requested that the shore towns (esp the barrier islands around Cape May) be evacuated by tomorrow evening. It's not a mandatory evacuation yet, but wanted to give you the update in case you didn't see.
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  • imagektwed09:
    Kate, not sure if you have access to TV or are able to keep an eye on  the news, but Gov. Christie declared a state of emergency in NJ and requested that the shore towns (esp the barrier islands around Cape May) be evacuated by tomorrow evening. It's not a mandatory evacuation yet, but wanted to give you the update in case you didn't see.

    Yeah, I didn't see that yet. I'm in the office and we're crazy busy today.

    I'm nowhere near the shore but we're close to a river that's prone to flooding. Should be an interesting weekend.

    Cole, Crystal and Yvonne, thanks for all the tips! I'll get some stuff pulled together tonight.

  • Girls on the East Coast make sure to keep us updated and let us know you're all okay!
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  • Ok, this is probably a stupid question...but why is it so necessary to stock up on bottled water? Even if you lose power, shouldn't your water still work? I can understand it if you have well water, whenever there was potential to lose power when I was growing up we made sure to have bottled water because we couldn't use anything with water because of the well, but with city water, doesn't your water still work without power? Is it more in case you have to leave the house?

    Again, sorry if this is a dumb question.

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  • I would assume it has more to do with something happening to the water pipes. Similar to 2 years ago when a pipe burst and a lot of cities couldn't drink the water b/c of potential bacteria. Not sure if it affected your area or not.
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  • imagekrissyrose210:
    I would assume it has more to do with something happening to the water pipes. Similar to 2 years ago when a pipe burst and a lot of cities couldn't drink the water b/c of potential bacteria. Not sure if it affected your area or not.

    Yup, and if the power's out you can't boil it so you'd want to have some on hand.

  • That makes sense.
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  • imageKate&Mark:

    imagekrissyrose210:
    I would assume it has more to do with something happening to the water pipes. Similar to 2 years ago when a pipe burst and a lot of cities couldn't drink the water b/c of potential bacteria. Not sure if it affected your area or not.

    Yup, and if the power's out you can't boil it so you'd want to have some on hand.

    Exactly! Also, you can fill up your bathtubs before the storm, you can use that water to flush toilets, etc. with a bucket, or drink it if you have to.
    T&Y Est. 7/4/2009



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  • Yikes! I keep hoping for an update that the storm is turning further out to sea, but no luck yet.

    We've been told to get the bottled water, food, batteries, flashlights, etc. Also we're supposed to bring in anything outdoors that may take flight during the strong winds. Make sure that if you have a sub-pump or wet vac that it's in working order in case of flooding.

    Our local network suggested battery powered radios too (not that we have one) so you can get updates even if you lose power. 

    I think I'll be running around tomorrow with all the other crazies at the store, but I'd rather be over-prepared. 

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  • imagereenie83:

    Yikes! I keep hoping for an update that the storm is turning further out to sea, but no luck yet.

    We've been told to get the bottled water, food, batteries, flashlights, etc. Also we're supposed to bring in anything outdoors that may take flight during the strong winds. Make sure that if you have a sub-pump or wet vac that it's in working order in case of flooding.

    Our local network suggested battery powered radios too (not that we have one) so you can get updates even if you lose power. 

    I think I'll be running around tomorrow with all the other crazies at the store, but I'd rather be over-prepared. 

    Do you have an alarm clock that takes batteries? Ours are electrical, but have the option to use batteries too, I plan to have those on hand so we can use them for a radio if necessary.

    I wish that there was more certainty one way or the other, I just hate not knowing. There's so many little things that I didn't think about too, like bringing potted plants inside.

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  • I have been ignoring the whole thing b/c I just assumed it would be a false warning as usual. You ladies are making me nervous now! I guess I should pay attention to everything now.
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  • imagereenie83:

    Yikes! I keep hoping for an update that the storm is turning further out to sea, but no luck yet.

    We've been told to get the bottled water, food, batteries, flashlights, etc. Also we're supposed to bring in anything outdoors that may take flight during the strong winds. Make sure that if you have a sub-pump or wet vac that it's in working order in case of flooding.

    Our local network suggested battery powered radios too (not that we have one) so you can get updates even if you lose power. 

    I think I'll be running around tomorrow with all the other crazies at the store, but I'd rather be over-prepared. 

     

    Everyone I've spoke to here who has a sub pump is electric so when the power goes out, so does their sub pump. They have to have a generator to keep it going again. Generators are always nice to have.

    And take it from me-getting tarps are never a bad idea. After our tornadoes it was IMPOSSIBLE to find tarps because literally 99.9% of homes in my town had roof problems so everyone bought a tarp or two...or ten. We bought two. Now we have them just in case something like that ever happens again. 

    Kate-I know you have a basement...is it finished?

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  • Cole and Yvonne gave great tips. In addition to that, you need to keep any important documents with you. Birth certificates, passports, prescription information, wedding albums/videos...if the house floods, you want to make sure these documents are kept safe. Some of these things can be replaced but if you can prevent damage to them, it's less of a hassle.

    Also, get sandbags, if possible. If your home is near a river, lake, pond, stream, etc...you might want to use tarps and sandbags to keep water out if it starts to rise.

    If your home has a chance to flood, move valuables to a second floor (if you have one) or put stuff up on counters, etc. 

  • Forgot this....fill all vehicles with gas ASAP. The closer you wait to the storm hitting, the higher the chance of the gas stations not having enough gas. You also want to make sure you have enough in your car in case you end up having to evacuate and drive a distance. 
  • imageKareBear0408:
    I don't know how high of winds you're supposed to get but I've heard of people boarding up their windows to keep them from busting out. I know when we went through the tornado, windows were bowing in. That may help. Just a thought. Stay safe!

    You're just suggesting this because of the hurricanes in Dawson's Creek, aren't you.  :P

    image 

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  • imageehostilo:

    imageKareBear0408:
    I don't know how high of winds you're supposed to get but I've heard of people boarding up their windows to keep them from busting out. I know when we went through the tornado, windows were bowing in. That may help. Just a thought. Stay safe!

    You're just suggesting this because of the hurricanes in Dawson's Creek, aren't you.  :P

    image 

     

    Hahahaha the boards on the windows-yes. The windows bowing-no. Some of the restaurants in my town had that happen because of the high winds.

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  • imageKareBear0408:
    imageehostilo:

    imageKareBear0408:
    I don't know how high of winds you're supposed to get but I've heard of people boarding up their windows to keep them from busting out. I know when we went through the tornado, windows were bowing in. That may help. Just a thought. Stay safe!

    You're just suggesting this because of the hurricanes in Dawson's Creek, aren't you.  :P

    image 

     

    Hahahaha the boards on the windows-yes. The windows bowing-no. Some of the restaurants in my town had that happen because of the high winds.

    I fixed the code for the GIF so you could appreciate it. 

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  • imageehostilo:
    imageKareBear0408:
    imageehostilo:

    imageKareBear0408:
    I don't know how high of winds you're supposed to get but I've heard of people boarding up their windows to keep them from busting out. I know when we went through the tornado, windows were bowing in. That may help. Just a thought. Stay safe!

    You're just suggesting this because of the hurricanes in Dawson's Creek, aren't you.  :P

    image 


    HAHAHAHA!! Oh Dawson Leery, how I love thee! Not as much as I love Pacey Witter though...

    Hahahaha the boards on the windows-yes. The windows bowing-no. Some of the restaurants in my town had that happen because of the high winds.

    I fixed the code for the GIF so you could appreciate it. 

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