Dean: Evac Topic

[CrazyC83]

If you are going to evacuate, you should BEFORE the orders come in, even if you have to turn around for a course change. That should be at least 40 hours ahead of the onset of tropical storm force winds. Also that puts you ahead of potential gas shortages.

Some things that I would take if I were you:

1) ALL your usable clothes. That way you have enough for many days or weeks if necessary.
2) Enough water to last through projected power outages in the area you are evacuating to - 6 to 8 bottles of water per person per day, and 1 to 2 bottles per day for each pet. A large cooler or two of food would be useful as well, as well as a box or two of food.
3) Your critical documents, if your home is lost they will be gone.
4) Your computer if room permits. Since you likely will have key documents on it, they are secure that way. It would also provide entertainment or something to do otherwise.
5) If you have young children, their favorite toys so they have something to do.
6) If medication is necessary, take a month's worth just to be safe.
7) Consider renting a trailer if possible to hold extra items.

[vbhoutex]

The state has already started moving things into place in case evacuations are needed. By Monday they should be in pretty good shape as far as being able to set up the evac routes, etc.

And no it isn't to early to start preparing or talking about it in a thread, especially in a metropolitan area of 5 million people that may need to evacuate at least 2 million in a major strike situation.

[CrazyC83]

The state has already started moving things into place in case evacuations are needed. By Monday they should be in pretty good shape as far as being able to set up the evac routes, etc.

And no it isn't to early to start preparing or talking about it in a thread, especially in a metropolitan area of 5 million people that may need to evacuate at least 2 million in a major strike situation.

If I were them, I would get those stuff (the extra food and water, extra medication, look into renting a trailer) tomorrow.

[pojo]

I HURREVAC with the planes.

[BigO]

Something else folks might not have thought about and that's backing up files from your computer. If you have a pickup, taking the system unit or laptop might be OK, but for folks that have limited space in their trunks, this might be a better option.

At Costco last week, I bought a 250GB USB external hard drive. I backed up both of our computers (not just the photos and documents, but the ENTIRE contents of the hard drives) on it. Now, living in Atlanta, hurricanes weren't my primary concern. Having a small business, though, it made good sense to have a reliable backup of the system files for other reasons.

It took 24 hours to back up 140 MB on the largest system, so you'll want to get a head start on it. Most folks won't want to back up all the files, but you can overkill on backups and instead of a desktop or laptop, you have all of your files on a device about the size of a trade paperback book.

Just an idea. When I evacuated for Katrina, I fit all of what we owned into a tote the size of a 120 qt. cooler. That, a 120 qt cooler full of provisions, our suitcases, and a few items my kids felt were precious filled the bed of my pickup (which I had purchased for the possibility of hurricane evacuation)--a 4 door model to accomodate the wife and kids as well, so it had a short bed. I wish I'd had time to drive the '51 Packard to higher ground, but there wasn't any promise that there would be any safe ground within range of it (it was 95% original with fewer than 60K miles on it...a real survivor that took on 4' of water in the flood).

It's funny how gallows humor kicks in at a time of stress. My sister was married in Huntsville, AL the weekend after Katrina. Upon arriving at the hotel, I took the tote off of the truck and put it on the dolly to take it to our room. Joking to my dad, I said "That's the easiest move I've ever made...everything I own is in that tote." Considering we moved constantly whe I grew up and it was always a painful paring down of treasures, we both had a deep, inappropriate laugh at that.

[Roxy]

Heads up, Lowes and HD are already out of plylox and people are starting to line up for plywood already. I am sure they will get more plylox in, but don't say I didn't warn ya.

**Edited to be more specific, the Lowes and Home Depot on Fairmont Parkway are out, not sure about the others**

DH and I are totally stocked up on all our supplies. So we are good to go.

[shelby]

Does anyone know how, possible, to board up bay windows?

[simplykristi]

If I were living along the possible path and in an evacuation zone, I would leave over the weekend. It's much better to be safe than sorry.

Kristi

[smw1981]

First, I just wanted to say that I agree with CrazyC83 about taking EVERYTHING you possibly can (clothes, toys, etc.) with you when you evacuate. Most people dont think, "This may be the last time I leave this house." when they leave for a hurricane, but after Katrina, I went into 4 different apartment complexes where EVERY SINGLE apartment was left like someone was coming home. Clothes, furniture, everything was left, and these people never came back for their stuff. (I was there with a construction company who bought the complexes to rebuild them...this was in December 06 and the apartments were still the exact same!) It was a crazy sight, but taught my parents a good lesson...

Second, does anyone know where Katrina was projected to hit 6-8 days out? For some reason, it seems like it was wayyyyyy off (as we should expect 6-8 days out). I just know that in Mobile, not many people went into "panic" mode for Ivan, which ended up causing a lot of damage in/around Mobile. Then for Dennis, everyone freaked out and evacuated, and it ended up not even raining in Mobile. So of course, for Katrina, everyone felt like it was being "overhyped" and stayed, which could have been devastating...Point is, it seems a bit too early to be calling for a state of emergency and evacs because if nothing happens, people will be a lot less likely to comply next time...

My prayers are up for EVERYONE who is impacted by this one...

[CrazyC83]

First, I just wanted to say that I agree with CrazyC83 about taking EVERYTHING you possibly can (clothes, toys, etc.) with you when you evacuate. Most people dont think, "This may be the last time I leave this house." when they leave for a hurricane, but after Katrina, I went into 4 different apartment complexes where EVERY SINGLE apartment was left like someone was coming home. Clothes, furniture, everything was left, and these people never came back for their stuff. (I was there with a construction company who bought the complexes to rebuild them...this was in December 06 and the apartments were still the exact same!) It was a crazy sight, but taught my parents a good lesson...

Second, does anyone know where Katrina was projected to hit 6-8 days out? For some reason, it seems like it was wayyyyyy off (as we should expect 6-8 days out). I just know that in Mobile, not many people went into "panic" mode for Ivan, which ended up causing a lot of damage in/around Mobile. Then for Dennis, everyone freaked out and evacuated, and it ended up not even raining in Mobile. So of course, for Katrina, everyone felt like it was being "overhyped" and stayed, which could have been devastating...Point is, it seems a bit too early to be calling for a state of emergency and evacs because if nothing happens, people will be a lot less likely to comply next time...

My prayers are up for EVERYONE who is impacted by this one...

6-8 days from landfall, Katrina was a tropical wave...

[fasterdisaster]

First, I just wanted to say that I agree with CrazyC83 about taking EVERYTHING you possibly can (clothes, toys, etc.) with you when you evacuate. Most people dont think, "This may be the last time I leave this house." when they leave for a hurricane, but after Katrina, I went into 4 different apartment complexes where EVERY SINGLE apartment was left like someone was coming home. Clothes, furniture, everything was left, and these people never came back for their stuff. (I was there with a construction company who bought the complexes to rebuild them...this was in December 06 and the apartments were still the exact same!) It was a crazy sight, but taught my parents a good lesson...

Second, does anyone know where Katrina was projected to hit 6-8 days out? For some reason, it seems like it was wayyyyyy off (as we should expect 6-8 days out). I just know that in Mobile, not many people went into "panic" mode for Ivan, which ended up causing a lot of damage in/around Mobile. Then for Dennis, everyone freaked out and evacuated, and it ended up not even raining in Mobile. So of course, for Katrina, everyone felt like it was being "overhyped" and stayed, which could have been devastating...Point is, it seems a bit too early to be calling for a state of emergency and evacs because if nothing happens, people will be a lot less likely to comply next time...

My prayers are up for EVERYONE who is impacted by this one...

Initial predictions were for Katrina to hit the eastern Florida panhandle.

[Janie2006]

I'm a little closer to the current model trends, just south of San Antonio, 120 miles inland from Corpus Christi.

I'd really like to ask for recommendations as to what might be needed that I'm not thinking of, especially with a soon to be 1 year old with me for this hurricane season. I know the obvious such as water, first aid, baby food, formula, canned goods, etc. I've perused the prep boards extensively since 2005. Should I think about boarding up? We never have before but well, this storm is making me very nervous.

We wouldn't be evacuating. It's kind of hard to know what kind of problems we would have with a monster like this, should it turn our way. I'm just trying to think of everything I can, especially since my in-laws and family don't believe in hurricane preparedness unless I bug them to do it.

Thanks ya'll!

Assuming the storm tracks close to your location, you'd be dealing with high winds and torrential rainfall, as well as the potential for tornadic activity. Is your home surrounded by trees that may fall on the roof? Are you in a flood zone? These are other factors to consider when trying to be prepared.

[jabman98]

Just got back from the Home Depot on 610 North. Steady stream of people buying plywood, but plenty left. Generators still there too, but people loading up. Nice, friendly folk at this point. Everyone helping everyone else. The pushing, shoving and craziness hasn't started yet.

[CrazyC83]

Just got back from the Home Depot on 610 North. Steady stream of people buying plywood, but plenty left. Generators still there too, but people loading up. Nice, friendly folk at this point. Everyone helping everyone else. The pushing, shoving and craziness hasn't started yet.

Think of tomorrow as preparation day. Have everything ready - buy many cases of water and plenty of plywood tomorrow morning. If Dean changes course, you may need it for Felix, Gabrielle or someone else down the road...

[shelby]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to board bay window? Any ideas will be appreciated?

[KBBOCA]

Shelby, I searched online but couldn't find anything. Hoping someone here can help you. Just wanted you to know there are folks reading your post and looking for info.

Hope you stay safe.

[shelby]

Shelby, I searched online but couldn't find anything. Hoping someone here can help you. Just wanted you to know there are folks reading your post and looking for info.

Hope you stay safe.

Thanks - I bought a house with a bay window and am not sure how to do it. I am good with the rest of the windows

[jhamps10]

Shelby, I got ya a little info here:

http://www.hurricane.lsu.edu/_in_the_ne ... vocate.htm


actually this applies to ALL folks, and not just youu.

[shelby]

Thanks

[Ptarmigan]

I would not be surprised to hear evacuation orders as early as Sunday to Monday. This brings back memories of Rita and Gilbert.