Less than a week left and counting... Are you preparing?

[JPmia]

Has anyone done anything really new to prepare for the 2006 hurricane season?

Yes. I increased my insurance coverage by $20K on my house; bought tax free batteries; bought 2 battery operated fans; and more stuff to get this weekend.

[LSU_Weatherguy]

Hey....that's a good idea!

"but honey, we need a new SUV for our hurricane evacuation kit!"

The new excuse for a new car

[george_r_1961]

Well I live in a mobile home in an area subject to storm surge flooding so in all likelihood I will need to leave even for a Cat 1. The part of the mobile home park I live in is slightly higher than the rest; according to the neighbors there was only about a foot of water at the most on my street during Isabel. My home is well built and anchored so I would probably be safe from the wind; I would be more concerned about my car getting damaged and rendered inoperable by rising waters; therefore trapping me. So if its a landfalling Cat 1...its away I go. A storm passing offshore..might be safe to ride out since the surge would be less and the left side of the storm here is rarely any worse than a typical noreaster. Unless of course we get a Donna type scenario again. I have flashlights, batteries, tools, an extra cell phone battery, water, and canned food. Last thing I would get before the storm: donuts

[Mississippi Storm Magnet]

Whatever you do............ remember to take important pictures/memoribilia. I didn't last year and Katrina took care of that for me.

[dixiebreeze]

Whatever you do............ remember to take important pictures/memoribilia. I didn't last year and Katrina took care of that for me.

Excellent advice MSM. Some things simply can't be replaced.

[rockyman]

I also recommend making of list of the things you take with you...especially if your home is in real danger of getting washed away. I can't tell you how many times in the past 9 months I've searched and searched for something, only to remember that it was in the house and is now gone. Things you might take for granted, like Walkmans, hand tools, bicycle pumps, favorite T-shirts...these are the things that I always "forget" that I don't have any more.

[dixiebreeze]

We're almost there! Anymore tips?

[baygirl_1]

Here's a tip: Put together large size Ziploc bags with small toys, coloring books, crayons, and snacks for kids and keep it with hurricane box. The evacuation is so stressful for them-- feeding off their parents' stress (though we try hard not to let it show so much)-- and having surprise goodie bags can really help alleviate some of their stress. A new toy usually gives you at least a little time without whining about bathrooms, snacks, "he/she hit me," and "when are we gonna get there!"
I gotta put ours together soon...

[Janice]

What are the best candles to get that last. Not the expensive scented ones. Are tapers better than shorter? My candles go so fast when the electricity goes out. We have coleman lamps, but I like to put a candle in the bathtub, etc. We have tile floors, so they are pretty safe.

[caribepr]

What are the best candles to get that last. Not the expensive scented ones. Are tapers better than shorter? My candles go so fast when the electricity goes out. We have coleman lamps, but I like to put a candle in the bathtub, etc. We have tile floors, so they are pretty safe.

The emergency candles last a LONG time, but I find the best buy and the longest lasting are Jewish Sabbath candles. Usually in a white box with blue lettering, maybe a Jewish Star of David on them, in almost every grocery store (well, except here on Culebra! But we do have good emergency candles, just about the same thing). I've bought them for years and years and they really do stay lit a long time, created to last through an entire formal dinner, even though they aren't *big* candles, AND they don't melt together in the heat we get. Regular dinner candles tend to melt, not a big help when your cancle goes limp. Extremely inexpensive as well. (Save those small jars, they are great candle holders and much safer than using a freestanding candle)