Hurricane and Natural Disasters Questions

[purplebaby]

Quote:
i understand.
oh noo i am always well prepared... i have seen the devastation. my family lives in florida.
i have taken the federal courses for hurricane preparedness and storm survival. if it is going to be bad here we go upstate ny to my sisters or she comes here if hers is bad. i cant take a chance on our children. (and my animals) we pack the truck full of animals, children and the necessities. but then we have fun together during it. if it was ever that bad i can leave them with my sis and come back with dh to make repairs, do relief etc . i really do understand the danger, but it amps me up anyway. i run around double and triple checking....

also my job can require me to come in and mandate me to stay. i teach in a 365/24/7 residential placement... but if we think any storm might be that bad we send most of them home. so i am rarely needed, as dorm staff stays first. but even that comes second to my kids and animals safety.

too many people are complacent and or ignorant, i agree.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

We have a full basement, and I figured if we had a hurricane, I'd put our four chickens down there for the duration. Our coop would probably blow over, even though we're in a protected area. No danger of flooding.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

We are a mile and half from the gulf here in Floria. We use hurricane straps on th coop So far we havent had any problems this year we have alot more animals so we have to refigure what to do. cant bring 15 goats into the house lol

 

[WestKnollAmy]

We may not live on the coast but we did have a hurricane come through Charleston some years ago and the remnants left the side of our barn blown out when one of our mares was in labor trying to foal. Scared her so bad she held off for another 2 days!

We mostly get tornadoes through here. Nothing to do about those, I'm afraid. I would love a basement especially since many years ago I was in a mobile home that was blown over by one such terrific storm.
However, with almost 100 chickens, all I can do is pray. I'm good at that so that is what I do. One can never predict what God's plans may be so my coops just may not survive no matter how well they are built.
I do my best and pray for the best.

 

[Ladysonja]

Well, we woke up this morning to find out we have a Cat 1 in the gulf headed straight for Galveston that grew over night and before all is said and done, it's suppose to strengthen during the day.

We are about a 100 miles from Galveston, but still close enough for all the rain, possible tornados or sudden down bursts.

So we are going to batton down the hatches, pickup the construction zone of the coop and hope for the best!

I'm probably over reacting, but this one will be a direct hit!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I'm praying you guys will be okay down there!
Let us know how you fare. Maybe it will just be rain.
Maybe it will turn at the last minute.
Please let us know when it is over so we will know you are safe.

 

[Ladysonja]

Thanks Nadine -

DH got the roof on this morning. We had tar paper down, but needed to wait to put the tin roof on until it was a bit cooler. Because of the upcoming storm, we decided to use shingles instead of the tin.

I could see watching freshly added tin fly of with a tornado!

The coop is now done... Just need to put hard wire in the windows and then start working on the run.

I know I am being overly worried... but it's best not to play with mother nature.

 

[LynneP]

We went through Hurricane Juan and the next year a massive snowstorm called 'White Juan'. In both cases we were without power for many days. It took us hours, with a snowblower, to get to the barn through 6-8' drifts. We lost part of our roof last November to tropical storm Noel.

Aside from the obvious suggestions like ample stored water and food, radio, batteries and a generator if feasible, think about the trees on your property and whether they can come down on a barn or coop and cause additional problems. I'd rather cut down a tree before the storm comes and create firewood than let it damage my home or especially my animals. As farm people we usually have scrap wood and screws/nails to secure vulnerable or damaged bits. Bring in your bbq and anything that can fly about. Have an emergency refuge for birds that might need treatment.

Our barn has a concrete foundation and we can seal it up, which is what we have donw through many storms that some up on the Gulf Stream. Never pleasant, can be deadly.

You seem to be highly aware- good luck, and let us know how you're faring, please!

 

[orchidchick]

Ladysonja,

goodluck with everything...a Cat 1 is nothing to sneeze at, and you took the words right out of my mouth regarding Mother Nature; there is nothing carved in stone, I don't care what the forecasters say, although thankfully, they are so hungry for drama....need I say more?

My point regarding living in areas prone to hurricanes and the like is to take care and prepare for your pets. It's a responsibility you take on when you take that kitten or puppy, horse, goat, chick, or whatever home.

 

[MicMoo]

There is a pretty good course that's available (for free) from FEMA that some folks might find useful: IS-111 Livestock in Disasters

To download the materials directly: http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is111lst.asp