Cars and storms

During hurricane season always have at least half a tank of gas in your vehicle(s).

Don't park under a tree, try to put it out of the wind, full tank of gas plus some extra.

Park it out from under trees, a close to the sheltered side of the house as possible.

put the back to the wind direction - saves cleaning the radiator and maybe the whole windshield - full tank of gas - tucked in close to a wall or building - check insurance

get a couple of foam beach floats and cover the windsheil and rear window of your car.
sloop

That is a great idea, Sloop. Never thought about that one.

Pamela

All good ideas. Thanks! I always park directly in front of a light pole, That will change.

And again, remember you will have hours, if not days to get your car safely parked, get the patio/porch furniture inside, etc. Also, remember potted plants - take them off walls and railing and put them on the floor/ground close to the house. The biggest danger inside is flying objects outside.

Also if your palm trees have coconuts on them, get them down.

We could always tell the tourists. They parked in the shade of the coconut palms :@)

I cover my exposed house door locks with duct tape, after once having to disassemble locks to clean out the sand before I could get a key in...cars can be the same way.

As I read more ideas on this forum, I update my list of things to do to prepare for hurricanes. Here is my latest:

Hurricane Prep:
- Think of what you'd need if you couldn't leave your house for 7 days, and think of what you'd do if you lost all modern conveniences, then stock up based on that.
- generator
- chainsaw
- Pork and beans are great! Get some Vienna Sausage, Spam, Corned beef in the can
- $400 - $500 cash
- Keep car gas tanks full
- park car near house or near cover
- cover car windows with plywood or pool floats
- tape over house and car door locks to keep debris out
- remove coconuts from trees near house
- bring patio furniture in
- move patio plants near base of house (don’t want them smashing into the house)
- A clean bucket to dip water from the cistern
- cisterns were pretty contaminated if the downspouts were not disconnected prior
- Do all your laundry so you have clean clothes
- important papers in a waterproof container in a safe place
- reading material (because it may be many days afterwords without power and phone)
- TP, paper towels
- first aid supplies. It's really easy to get cuts & scratches
- candles, camp stoves, lighter
- flea & tick stuff (The ticks are especially fierce after a storm)
- Mosquito repellent (Lots of Dengue after Marilyn)
- remove/store screen windows (they can be used for damaged windows)
- baby wipes (for cleaning hands and other essential body parts - w/o wasting water)
- Alcohol-free hand sanitizer will also help you avoid using water for cleaning
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- extra trash bags and kitty litter around in case the toilets don't work
- granola bars, dried fruit, etc.
- pet food
- for dogs: training pads (for them to go to the bathroom on) from Kmart
- non-electric can opener
- battery-powered radio is a good idea, as well as battery-powered stuff to do
- batteries
- water (4 cases)
- books for when the sun's up
- solar water bag showers - the 3 Gal size
- oil lanterns give nice light - batteries don't last; Candles can be dangerous.
- wash-line rope and clothes pins too
- triple plastic bag any electrical things like TV's and such
- www.plylox.com - clips that lock plywood into a window opening
- Unplug everything and put the plugs up high
- Get bed covers, quilts up off the floor so they don't wick water
- Baby diapers for wicking up large amounts of water by doors and windows
- Lock 'n Lock products really and truly work [www.organize.com]
- spray insulfoam to seal some doors where water has a tendency to ooze in

Being an engineer, I can't believe I haven't organized this list.... sorry

great list, I saved it!

good list -- Any prescription medicines should be gotten well ahead of time and with at least a 30 day reserve - ask your Dr. -- NOW.

A hard-wired telephone..my phone has always worked (even after Hugo till someone decided to cut all the lines laying on the ground) but portables don't work without electric.

An interesting tip I heard about keeping important papers dry. Put them in a zip-lock and then in the dishwasher. It's watertight! Just don't forget they are there and run it!

Divinggirl, I heard that one, too, when I lived in New Orleans, but unfortunately, Katrina proved it wrong. There are a couple of problems. First, dishwashers have an opening at the top for steam, so if the appliance is totally submerged, water can get in through there. Also, if there is enough pressure on the outside of the dishwasher due to high water, the gasket seals can fail.