– Tightly roll your clothes when you pack them instead of a standard fold. This is what I always refer to as “military packing”, because it’s how my dad learned to pack in the army. It allows you to fit more in your bags.
– Do not forget toiletries, those who have periods make sure you grab your products as well, you do not know how long you’ll be gone or if you’ll have the availability to get more. Unscrew the lids to things like shampoo or anything that might leak and place plastic wrap over the opening (ziplock bags work as well), then screw the lid back on, this will prevent any leaking.
– Grab all prescription medication and EPI Pens, it is also a good idea to pack any NASIDs (ibuprofen and other anti-inflamatory mediciation),and allergy medication like claratin, zyrtec, or benadryl. Grab any emergency medical kits in your house and make sure they have bandages, gauze, sanitizing wipes, and neosporin. If your box is big enough, pack a small sewing kit, a lighter, a ball of steel wool, a 9 volt battery, a swiss army knife, and small food bars like protein bars or granola bars.
– Grab all personal documents, IDs, passports, SS cards, birth certificates, insurance cards, including car insurance, legal documents including marriage licences and tax papers. If available place these in large ziplock bags to keep them safe from getting wet or dirty.
– Grab all family heirlooms, photographs, gold and other valuable jewelry, diplomas, and other irreplaceable items.
– Pack power banks and charging cords
– Most shelters only allow service animals, please find lodging for your pets, make sure collars and name tags are secured and that you’ve entered your information on their chips, pack food for your animals as well. DO NOT ABANDON YOUR ANIMALS
– Withdraw cash from your bank, grab check books, take your wallets and purses and make sure your cards are in them.
– It is getting colder. Pack hats, gloves, scarves, water proof coats, lots of socks and underwear, water resistant boots.
– Pack plenty of water, non perishable and ready to eat foods, manual can opener. Also bring flashlights
– if you have infant children pack baby formula, even if you normally breast feed
Remember to stay safe, do not panic. Do not drive recklessly, many people are trying to find a safe place, bad driving will only cause accidents which will slow down evacuation routes more. Stay safe friends.
Unfortunately, i have to stay and my area is going to get hit HARD. but this is for anyone else. Hopefully we dont get too much damage.
I’m sheltering in place too. If I lived in an apartment and had no pets, I would have asked my manager if I could arrange a visit to the rest of my team in Colorado Springs. Or drive up to spend the weekend with my cousin in Kentucky.
I want to try to pick up more wine though (not much else to do once you’re stuck in the house). I have some stuff to bring in from the back patio, but that will be Saturday morning.
I got cash out, filled up my tank, bought water and am filling gallon zip lock bags and throwing them in the freezer. I don’t have a lot in there and am trying to get it eaten before it gets bad.
An email arrived from one of our deacons at church, the bishop has suspended all services for Saturday afternoon and Sunday because he didn’t want people trying to drive in that crap.
My friends and coworkers who live on the coast have already evacuated.
For me, the most terrifying part of hurricanes is waiting. Waiting for them to arrive, not knowing how strong it’s going to be or how much damage it’s going to do (and how much money it’s going to cost getting stuff fixed, not to mention how long it’s going to take to get it fixed).
Thankfully, Florida is on top of things and has everything in place for when it hits the fan. Once the storm is over, FEMA has everything in place to get right to work and they are scary efficient. In 2004 after Frances, they were ready to collect permission to enter your property and had their blue tarp covering your roof in less than a week. This is awesome, because it can take months to get through to your insurance company.
You don’t ever want to be in a hurricane, but if you MUST, do it in Florida. They don’t screw around here and you WILL be taken care of. FAST.
Ayo- Irma is nearly twice as big as Andrew was. Take anything you ever want to see again and gtfo.
It’s going to be ugly, no doubt about it. I’ve been in a cat ¾ and two cat 2s. Nasty as hell, but the house survived (I did lose a tree and it did knock down some sections of fence). I am pretty sure we’re going to be ok, it’s projected to be considerably weaker once it gets up to us in Orlando. Miami, on the other hand… 😦
I have friends on their honeymoon in Florida, with a baby. Scary times.
My best friend and her family live right in Irma’s path. They’ve already bailed. I’m glad they’re safer because this thing looks terrifying.
The Paradox Machine 