As Hurricane Michael makes landfall in the panhandle of Florida, there are thousands of people who are panicked about not being prepared for what could be a huge storm and could destroy buildings, flood neighborhoods and knock out the power for weeks on end.
I personally witnessed this while in the New Orleans area when Hurricane Katrina hit. It was absolutely devastating! Hurricanes can adversely affect millions of people but they don’t happen without days of warning.
I live in earthquake territory and an earthquake can strike at any time without the slightest warning. It would be such a blessing if we could get a couple of days notice before an earth quake hit. The potential loss of life and loss of personal property would be greatly reduced with such a warning.
Hopefully those in the path of an oncoming hurricane will take it seriously enough that the few days of preparation time they have will be spent wisely.
Here is a list of 30 last minute ways one could prepare for an oncoming hurricane. These items are actually good for anyone going forward to be prepared for the unexpected. You can never have too many preps, right
30 Last Minute Ways To Prepare
1) Fill your gas tank. Gas stations are known to have lines over 100 cars long after such an event. Please keep your tank full or at least 3/4 full whenever possible.
2) Cash, small bills (ATM’s and credit cards will not work when power is off).
3) Turn your fridge and freezer to a colder setting and keep the doors closed if you lose power.
4) Space in your freezer? Then fill zip-lock bags with water to fill in empty space in your freezer.
5) Charge ALL your electronic devices and keep them charged.
6) Put together an emergency contact list with names, phone numbers, and emails.
7) Gather up important documents and place them in a secure binder.
8) Get prescriptions filled (90 days if possible).
9) Secure a hand can opener.
10) Make a few meals and snacks that you can store without power.
11) Do ALL your laundry NOW.
12) Pick up a solar phone charger.
13) Secure batteries for your flashlights (better yet get a solar flashlight).
14) If you use oxygen, prepare to leave and get backups needed.
15) Get gas and oil for your chainsaw, you may need it.
16) Have hand sanitizer and baby wipes available and ready to use.
17) If you have N-95 masks locate them so you can use them if needed.
18) Store water in buckets to use in the toilet.
19) Take pictures of every room and closet in your home for insurance purposes. Don’t forget your garage.
20) You can use the water heater water as long as your water is not contaminated. Turn off the intake valve and use the spigot on the front of the tank.
21) Put together an emergency toilet if the water lines are shut off. Make a toilet with a large garbage bag, duct tape, and kitty litter. Yes, store lots of black garbage bags, you will need them.
22) Put an extra pair of glasses in your 72-hour kit if you need to evacuate.
23) Get a battery powered radio so you can hear what’s going on.
24) Put together a plan to evacuate if the city officials suggest you leave.
25) Be sure and stock up on pet food and make them a 72-hour kit with food, food dishes, vaccination records, extra leash, and harness.
26) Grab some of those yard solar lights, they are great to bring into your home each night and they recharge with the sun.
27) Make an evacuation list of all the critical things you don’t want to leave behind if you are evacuated.
28) Store water, at least four-gallons per person per day. Have some portable containers.
29) Pick up a portable water purifier.
30) Stock up on paper plates, paper cups, and plastic silverware.
Here’s some additional tips:
If you’ve had to evacuate your home for an extended period of time, here’s a tip to know if your freezer food (especially meat) has been thawed too long while you were gone. Fill a small open plastic container with water and freeze it. Then, put a penny on top of the frozen water. If you come home and the penny is no longer on top, assume your food is not good to eat.
Be aware that you may not be able to come home for days. Freeways and roads into cities will be closed by authorities until the area is deemed safe. Be prepared for cars to overheat, bring car tools, and bring an old fashion paper map. If you evacuate – take your food and water with you. Cities 100 miles or more away will be swamped with evacuees and those stores will also run out of some basics such as water, bread, and milk. Plus, if you happen to get stranded your family will have supplies.
Back up your computer hard drive(s) to an external drive that you can carry with you; keep a list of doctors, medications, etc., in your wallet.
It’s obviously best to be in a constant state of preparedness but if you know a hurricane is bearing down on you, please that the precious few days to make doubly sure everything is in order.
