Hurricane Preparation

[NanaKat]

Fort Meyers is predicted to take a direct hit from Irma....our latest news report.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
I have wonderful news. Heard from my youngest son today. He is an IT in the USCG. Attached to the Medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane out of Portsmouth Virginia. His boat either goes down to the Caribbean or up to Maine. We don't ever know which way until he calls. Have been so worried he was down Columbia way and heading north after Irma for rescue. He called tonight and he's in Maine! I just sat there and cried from relief and joy. So he is out of harm's way. They did go thru a northern storm to get there but that was ok. When Matthew came thru, they were down South and followed it north for first response rescue. He has 4 unit citations for meritorious service.
So very happy and relieved in PA.
Ya'll hunker down and be safe. I
Dr. Arnett, wish we could all come to your ranch for BBQ too!.

 

[DR ARNETT]

great news, coast guard ships are always safe after all they are the ones who rescue the people that get stranded so ''no worries mate'' your boy will be fine GBA

 

[3riverschick]

I agree with Dr. Arnett
bring the chickens inside and put them in bathtub .give them a little food little water and go from there.
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Thanks dr. Arnett! well I'm the only civilian in the household containing one former Navy Corpsman (Hubby), a Chief Petty Officer in Subs (older son) and my Coastie, so get a little nervous. . I just can't wait to have him home again. maybe his next layover in Port he can stop by and say hi. I don't see much of the boys. My Coastie was home last month for 1st time in 3 years, for a 30 hour visit sandwiched between duties.
Karen

 

[DR ARNETT]

i'm x army myself & my ancestors have served in every conflict since the TEXAS revolution all got home alive except one who got smallpox during the civil war since no more smallpox i'm sure ur boys will be fine. GBA

 

[boch boch]

Until I got my coop fortified a bit for nights, I (ok it was my husband mostly) hauled in our 6 hens each night. We used one of those really big plastic crates. (40 gallon?) I wrapped chicken wire over the top to keep them in it. I put shavings in it and there was enough room for them at night but maybe if you got 2 or 3 crates there'd be enough room? Praying for you in Florida!

 

[DR ARNETT]

fyi---florida is between 100 & 160 miles wide, Irma hurricane force winds are 140 miles wide & the whole hurricane is 370 miles wide

 

[DR ARNETT]

some good news possibily--Jose looks right now like it's turning out into the atlantic & will miss the mainland hopefully. GBA

 

[GrandmaD]

Tyler,
I too am in Orlando and prepping for first hurricane with my flock of 9 20-week old hens & 1 roo! I have a mobile coop that I built so we rolled it into 1/2 of our 12'x16' pole barn/shed that has already survived 4 hurricanes with no damage. Since the shed has a dirt floor and we are already pretty soggy from non-stop rains over the past weeks, I put down about 3-4 inches of pine shavings to give them a drier walking surface. My flock is a bit confused and fidgety, but I gave them extra snacks (mealworms/veggies) to distract them. I will not close the big door on the shed until Sunday when the heavy rain/wind moves in so they aren't in the dark any longer then necessary for safety.

My neighbors have a flock of silkies which they moved into their garage, but I only have a carport, so shed was most secure place I have.

I'm sure we will be okay, latest track further west will reduce the winds in our area, which is good. Let us know how you are after Irma passes.
Debbie