June 1st officially marks the beginning of hurricane season. For those of you that live in hurricane country, this means it is time to review your hurricane readiness plan and to bring your hurricane related gear out of storage to make sure everything is in great working order. This includes lanterns, generators, and emergency cooking provisions.
The following is a brief checklist of information to use both before and during a hurricane. This is by no means all-inclusive but should serve as enough to get you started on your road to hurricane preparedness.
But there is more. My friends at AquaStorage are giving away two more AquaPod kits to Backdoor Survival readers. You might recall my recent review and giveaway, AquaPod Deluxe – When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Saves Water.
This time around, in preparation for the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1st through November 30th, we will be giving away one AquaPod Basic Kit and one AquaPod Deluxe Kit. So if you were not a winner in April, you now have a second chance!
More about the giveaway in a moment. First, the Hurricane Ready Checklist.
The Hurricane Ready Checklist
Before Hurricane Season Starts
Plan an evacuation route.
Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Learn safe routes inland.
Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place
Have disaster supplies on hand
Flashlight and extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Non-electric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Protect your windows
Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood–marine plywood is best–cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window.
Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance since homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
Develop an emergency communication plan
In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
During Hurricane Watches and Warnings
Education is one of the best forms of emergency preparedness. Knowing what a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning means is important. A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.
During A Hurricane Watch
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
Check emergency supplies.
Fuel the car.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
Review evacuation plan.
During A Hurricane Warning
Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
If in a mobile home, check tie downs and evacuate immediately.
Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power “surge” when electricity is restored.
If officials indicate evacuation is necessary: Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
If you leave your home, tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
If you decide to evacuate (or are told to do so by local authorities), take pre-assembled emergency supplies, warm protective clothing, blankets and sleeping bags with you.
Lock up home and leave.
What is an AquaPod?
You already have read my AquaPod review so you know what it is right? In case you didn’t, here is the cliff notes version:
The AquaPod is a heavy duty bathtub liner that can be filled with water in advance of a storm or weather system. Think of it as insurance when you anticipate that access to clean, usable water will be unavailable for a few days.
The AquaPod is is made in the USA which is rare these days. You already know how I love it when companies support their communities by using local organizations in their manufacturing process. AquaStorage does just that; the AquaPod is assembled by the Austin State School of the Aged and Disabled. Now how cool is that?
The AquaPod holds up to 65 gallons of water. Think about that. At a water requirement of 3 gallons a day per person, that works out to 22 man-days or 11 days of water for two people and more if you conserve. Also, you can expect the water to stay fresh for up to 8 weeks although water never really goes bad, just stale and or contaminated.
In addition to being a cinch to set up, something I like about the AquaPod is that the storage requirement is zilch. Storing the boxed kit takes up no room at all. Plus, if you have two bathtubs, you can have up to 130 gallons of fresh water ready to go before that hurricane of storm hits.
Win an AquaPod Basic or Deluxe Kit
To enter this giveaway, respond to the following question in the comments area below:
I am most concerned about the following type of natural disaster:
A – Hurricane
B – Earthquake
C – Tornado
D – Wildfire
E – Something else (tell me!)
You know the drill. All entries must be made via the comments area on this website and a winner will be chosen totally at random. The deadline is Thursday, June 12th at 6PM PDT. A winner will be announced in the Sunday Survival Buzz and will have 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be selected. You snooze, you lose.
The Final Word
Living like I do in Washington State, you don’t think about hurricane readiness too much. Instead, we concern ourselves with earthquakes, mudslide and windstorms.
Many of our windstorms exceed 75 miles per hour and cause a lot of downed trees, damage and power outages so while they are not a hurricane per se, they still are a force to contend with. For you historians out there, a couple of major bridges have collapsed during windstorms, most notable Galloping Gertie and the I-90 Floating Bridge in Seattle.
There are just so many reason to prepare; not the least of which is Mother Nature. With so many preps to deal with, why not enter to win a free AquaPod Kit? With a little advanced storm warning, that will give you up to 65 gallons of extra water. And extra water is always a good thing!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Spotlight Item: The AquaPod Deluxe Kit includes 3 liners.
Have you considered storing water in your bathtub? The AquaPod is a bladder that you can use in your bathtub to store water if you know that a storm, flood, or hurricane is brewing. (I call these “disruptive events”.)
Bargain Bin: Getting the goods you need to have in place to be comfortable during a hurricane can be daunting when you are just getting started. Here is a list of some gear to help you along the way.
Coleman Mini Lantern: You already know that I have a thing about flashlights but this is a slightly different take on portable lighting. It is 7.5 inches tall lantern and weighs just seven ounces, including batteries. And boy does it give off light. Inexpensive (less than $10) plus, it is a genuine Coleman.
Chemical Lighting aka Light Sticks: These are inexpensive, portable and easy to use. These come in a number of colors so take your pick.
Coleman PefectFlow 1-Burner Stove: This Coleman One-burner Propane Stove is an easy-to-use portable stove that should meet almost any camp cooking need. The PerfectFlow regulator provides consistent cooking performance by producing a steady fuel stream, even in cold weather, high altitudes, or when fuel is low. Equipped with one 10,000 BTU burner, this fully adjustable stove will last for 2.2 hours on high or up to nine hours on low.
Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio: This is becoming a popular choice with Backdoor Survival readers. This unit is a Digital AM/FM NOAA Weather Alert Radio and a powerful 3 LED flashlight, with smart charger, all in one portable package.
Tripp Lite Surge Protectors: You do not want to fry your electronics when there is a power surge. I have always felt that Trip Lite were the best surge protectors and even their most basic power strips are good. My guess is that I have 8 or 9 of these Tripp Lite SUPER7 Surge Protector Strips scattered throughout the house.
Meyer Classic Stainless Steel Yosemite 8-Cup Coffee Percolator: I bought one of these and it makes great coffee! Electricity not needed! About $20 with a lifetime warranty.
Coghlans Waterproof Matches 10-pack: There are 10 boxes of 40 matches each for about $7. That is a good deal for 400 waterproof matches.
Mr. Heater Portable “Big Buddy” Heater: Using propane and safe for indoor use, the Big Buddy Heater features an automatic low-oxygen shut-off system that automatically turns the unit off before carbon monoxide fumes reach dangerous levels in home.
EcoZoom Versa Rocket Stove: Burning twigs and pinecones, this stove will cook a big pot of rice in under 20 minutes. The stove is solidly built and will burn charcoal as well. There is also a version that only burns biomass for slightly less money.
Coleman Rugged Battery Powered Lantern: This sturdy Coleman has a runtime of up to 28 hours on the low setting and 18 hours on the high setting but does require D cell batteries. Personally, I have both a battery operated and propane lantern. Of course by now you know that I like redundancy with my preps.
Dorcy LED Wireless Motion Sensor Flood Lite: Don’t let the $20 price lead you to think this wireless flood light is wimpy. I have two of these (so far) and feel that these lights are worth double the price.
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Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials
The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 35% off sometimes a bit more.
A recent order from Emergency Essentials
Two popular items on sale this month are the Freeze Dried Organic Blackberries at 54% off and the Freeze Dried Beef Dices at 47% off. As I am writing this I am thinking that those berries are going to be great in a cobbler or coffee cake. What do you think?
These are just two of the many items on sale this month. For great deals Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials!
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The Amazon Top Most Wished For and Best Selling Outdoor Items
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Emergency Preparedness Items from Amazon.com
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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My eBook, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage will provide you with everything you need to create an affordable food storage plan, including what to buy and how to store it. Nothing scary and nothing overwhelming – you really can do this!
The Hurricane Ready Checklist by Gaye Levy first appeared on Backdoor Survival.