Just a quick question from a NON expert.......

[NCGal]

I live around the Raleigh NC area and when Fran came through Wilmington in 1996 we surely felt it here. My question is.....Several channels and local ones too are saying that the Eastern Seaboard should closely monitor Isabel and to start getting prepared, So with me being inland should I too????? We were without power for 2 weeks, and had right much damage to our house. Any input will help. Thanks in advace :?

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

I am no expert either, but living on the east coast, you should ALWAYS be prepared! I buy a little at a time so I don't have to deal with crowds, nothing to buy, or higher prices!

[Willow]

I remember Fran very well. I live east of Fayetteville, NC which recorded winds of 120 mph when Fran came through here. I always monitor any system which may have an impact on the East Coast. A lot of people were ill prepared for Fran because the last hurricane of any size or strength that made it this far inland was Hazel in 54. Hit Food Lion girl and stock up. If you don't need it, pack it away. History does repeat itself eventually.

[Dean4Storms]

You should keep emergency supplies year round. There are many other possible scenarios which could occur causing you need of these emergency supplies, terrorism, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, blizzards and hurricanes. But living in Raleigh you would mostly have to concern yourself with possible flooding rain and gusty winds. If you live in a flood prone area you would want to get some personal things together if forced to evacuate if Isabel threatened. Also, if directly threatened you would want to secure loose items out in the yard.

[drudd1]

There are many things you can do ahead of time that make good sense. Stocking up on canned foods, batteries, bottled water, etc. is not wasted effort, even if the storm misses you completely. The preparation items needed you would use as time goes by anyway, so it is definately not money wasted. You can't be too prepared, you can be under prepared.

A good rule of thumb is to already have, or purchase now, all those items that will be impossible to find once the word goes out. Stores will be chaos. If there is an item that you anticipate will be highly sought after once warnings go up, you should have it now. Flashlights and batteries are a prime example. Stock up on food items that do not require electricity to prepare. Even if you have a generator, do not assume it will be available. It can break down, and given the uncertainty of the situation following a major storm, repairs may not be possible (i.e. availability of parts, etc.). A good friend of mine stocked up his freezer prior to Andrew, got his generator in good working order, and thought he would be fine. What he didn't count on was his generator getting damaged in the storm, and he had it in his home! He also put his grille, with two full bottles of gas in his yard shed. After the storm passed, the grille and shed were gone.

I guess the lesson learned with that is to plan for all contingencies. If your luck is like mine, if it can go wrong, it will. I plan accordingly. Let's just make sure that we are prepared, only to watch Izzy turn to the north and back out to sea.

[NCGal]

I will surely secure any loose items out in the yard. When Fran came in 96 our local weatherman told us we could have extremely gusty winds and to do so. We did and the swingset that was concreted in the ground was even destroyed.Do you think I am ok with waiting until Wednesday, next week before I stock up and get prepared???? Thanks again..

[Scott_inVA]

I live around the Raleigh NC area and when Fran came through Wilmington in 1996 we surely felt it here. My question is.....Several channels and local ones too are saying that the Eastern Seaboard should closely monitor Isabel and to start getting prepared, So with me being inland should I too????? We were without power for 2 weeks, and had right much damage to our house. Any input will help. Thanks in advice :?

Yes, you should be prepared for this (any any other) storm.

FACT 1: inland flooding kills more people than storm surge.
FACT 2: most inland people have NO preparations.

If you had right much damage and no power before, why would you not believe that can happen again?

Your area, like here in VA, is susceptible to heavy flooding rain and wind damage. Same thing with winter ice storms, and preparations are much the same for both.

We have a good storm prep page, especially for inlanders: http://www.wrel.com/stormcenter.htm

Scott
WREL Radio
Lexington, VA