HELP! Advice to our Florida family in the track of Hurricane Ian

[Nyhillbillies]

Are you in a home, apartment, or mobile home?

Fill your tank with gas, and any extra gas cans, in case you have to evacuate.
Get extra water. 1 gallon per person, per day for several days.
Get canned foods, and a non-electric can opener, and snack pack foods.
Get batteries, flashlights, candles, etc. OR the solar path lights work well too for lighting inside.
Have a bar-b-q grill, or camp stove. If you're going to cook with wood in the event of a power outage, put some smaller, and medium stuff on a tarp, then enclose it, so it doesn't get wet. Make sure it can't blow away.
Pick up, and secure all yard items that can blow around.
Secure your chicken coop, and other animals.
Track the storm as long as you can on tv, or radio.
Keep your phone/tablet charged.
IF you can, and it's going to be a Cat 4-5, build, or buy cages for your chickens, and put them in your garage, or inside a building during the hurricane. Make sure they have food, water, and ventilation. I put a big tarp down on the garage floor first, to make the clean up easier afterward.

If you plan to go to a shelter, take medications, a flashlight and and some extra batteries, bath soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, a few changes of clothes, hand sanitizer, water, a few snack packs, and plastic eating utensils. Charged phone/tablet. If you're taking kids too, take a few things that will keep them entertained.

Thank you getaclue! I’m printing your list as a checklist. I’m not in Fla, but this list is perfect for ANY kind of bug-in/bug-out! Thanks again!

 

[Nyhillbillies]

If you make out alright, help your neighbors in need.

Indeed! If you can, check in with any elderly/infirmed neighbor, who may have not been capable for preparing for the storm! May be easier to invite them into your safe haven then to prep their home.

 

[Brooks_]

Charge everything and do all laundry before the storm.

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Charge everything and do all laundry before the storm.

If you can’t take the time to do laundry, and you have to bug out, take your dirty laundrybag with you. Why? Cuz it’s clothes you actually wear, not clothes you might wear!

 

[Nyhillbillies]

don’t rely on FEMA after the storm. We learned from experience.
For each item you claim, you have to show a picture of it as well as the purchase receipt!
We had a claim worth thousands….. got zero.

 

[NanaK]

We clean the tub and fill with water and have a small bucket nearby for dipping. We are on a well so no power no water until we can start the generator. Nice to be able to wash your face and hands or flush. Could also use for animals water.

do all laundry before the storm

A must here! Never know when you'll get to do it again.

don’t rely on FEMA after the storm. We learned from experience.

Been through a total loss. Home and vehicles totaled. We got no help from them either! Depend on yourself!

 

[Audi0]

An axe in the attic is invaluable if you need to escape rapidly rising water.
Board your windows. If no boards, you can tape them in an asterisk pattern, but boards are best.
Emergency radio's are handy.
Flotation devices. Large inflatable swimming pools hold a small family easily. There will likely be plenty of loose boards for paddles if you don't have any.
Allow livestock an opportunity to escape to higher ground if necessary.
Have cash. No power = no credit cards, ATM, etc.
If you make out alright, help your neighbors in need.

If you have little ones, try to have music, tv, some noise making thing to dilute the sound of the winds. The wind sounds are frightening.

The wind sounds for sure are creepy!

 

[KreetchaKeepa]

Indeed. Sounds like monsters howling and groaning.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Is filling the washing machine with ice helpful?

 

[Audi0]

Is filling the washing machine with ice helpful?

Oooo never thought of that. I don’t see how it would hurt specially if you leave it in bags. I can picture just sticking my head in to cool off after the power goes out.