Hurricane Irma Tips

Hey Kansas! Welcome to the Caribbean....I think? This probably wasn't what you had in mind by way of a welcome wagon.

Hurricanes are a little like tornados in terms of prep, but the damage is more widespread and tends to last a lot longer.

I've never been on this island for such heavy weather, but I've certainly lived through some pretty bad hurricanes elsewhere. I know the good people who have lived through storms down here will offer better advise more relevant to island life, but here's what I've got:

Water. Lots and lots and lots of water. for drinking, for taking washrag baths, for cooking, FOR MAKING COFFEE. If you have a bathtub, fill it. a friend gave me a good tip: seal the drain with a little silicone so the water doesn't do a slow seep. any plastic jugs you can get your hands on, fill them now. Make lots ice and keep it stored in the freezer. if the power goes out and they begin to melt in your freezer, it's extra water. will also be good in a cooler for a day or two.

Do you have a grill? did you top up the propane or get charcoal? do it tomorrow 1st thing. See if you can find some hot dogs. they're good in a freezer until power goes, and then in to the cooler.

if you have a gas burner on your grill, you're good for boiling water or heating soup.

just assume you're going to be without power for a while...there's no rhyme or reason on this island. if you can find batteries tomorrow, get them...same with candles. Charge all your stuff and then DO NOT USE your devices unless it's an emergency. There probably won't be cell or wireless for a while.

Get all your important documents (passport, leases or deeds, car info, identification, bank stuff, etc and get it together in plastic bags. keep it with you.

Get a small first aid kit together. Bandaids, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, rubbing alcohol, aspirin, cotton and gauze. keep it in a zip lock bag and put it in your storm nest - where you think you'll be riding out the storm. Also, see if you can find wetones or baby wipes to keep your hands and face clean.

I have a Rubbermaid bin that I can throw all this stuff into - medical supplies, documents, some snacks, water, wipes, radio, flashlights, blanket and just take it with me into the nest. I then have a larger one filled with more long-term/extra supplies.

if you have storm shutters, put them down Wednesday morning. DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY. People die from this stuff.

Be safe. Really. BE SAFE and BE SMART.
hugs!

you might want to consider an emergency toilet..mine is a bucket lined with small garbage bags.

Batteries, flashlights/lanterns, generators, fuel, rice & beans, bleach, drinking water, chainsaw,

Little things like a deck of cards make and a small solar charger to power an I-whatever can make life a little easier

Hard to predict the effect the storm will have when it arrives on WED.

At the very least expect windy, rainy conditions - so secure any outside plants or furniture that can be blown around and cause ancillary damage. If there are shutters available - put them on by Tues sundown.
Expect a power outage! Could be hours or days or weeks - make sure the generator is operable if you have one and xtra fuel.
Make sure you have any needed medications
Oil lanterns, battery lights, even your solar lights will be useful.
A battery radio for AM radio helps during the storm.
gather important papers in a good waterproof bag -- have cash on hand - fuel up the car - have drinking water or cistern access - a few buckets of water will let you flush the toilet - have towels ready for blown in rain- charge cell phone - that is enough of a list for Mon/Tues if you have done none of them yet.
DO NOT stay in your house if you feel it is unsafe
Look for an alternative place to ride out the storm.

DO not attend a "hurricane Drinking Party"!!
Good Luck!
There is a good prep list on
http://stthomassource.com/

For anyone wondering he is in Christenstead and a 22 yr. old male.
Is it possible for someone with a couple grand move to the islands? Im a 22 year old single guy and im tired of these Kansas wheat fields.

Turn up thermostat on refrigerator and freezer before a storm (remember to turn it back down when power finally restored, freeze water to help keep items colder, longer when power goes out, have cash on hand, top off fuel,
unplug electric and electronic equipment when power goes out, buy an ice chest if you don't have a generator. Have water, canned goods, crackers, etc. Good luck.

omar was a cat 3 when he came through. we did all the normal prep.

food, pet food, water, meds, stuff like that. dont forget dry shampoo , baby wipes, extra female necessities. charge all devices . they have these devices that you can charge that can charge your phones, sold at ATT. first aid supplies, big plastic bags, tape, battery powered radio. gas up car, get cash, grill, propane and or charcoal. CANNED food-not so much perishable food, batter powered lights, hurricane lamps ( oil ) matches and or lighter.

so after omar we had power back the next day. friends at work were more than a month. we live on feeder 2. hospital is on feeder 1. pays to be on the right feeder

usually wapa turns off the power before it gets real bad.

If you don't have access to your cistern to get water out of with a bucket on a rope, fill bathtubs with water to use for flushing, dishes, etc. Fill sinks, pots or plastic containers with water.