What to do?

[jes]

I can't board up my windows because, being female, I can't lift the boards high enough. It would cost a fortune to have someone do it for me and I'm not sure I can find someone soon enough. Is there a next best thing other than taping windows?

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

I can't board up my windows because, being female, I can't lift the boards high enough. It would cost a fortune to have someone do it for me and I'm not sure I can find someone soon enough. Is there a next best thing other than taping windows?

where do you live?

[Ziplock48]

If possible, try to get your plywood cut into 2' strips, attach propery to the walls, then overlap strips across the seams between the boards.

This type of cut is called a "rip" cut...the stores usually charge about fifty cents per cut.

Good luck
Zip

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

If possible, try to get your plywood cut into 2' strips, attach propery to the walls, then overlap strips across the seams between the boards.

This type of cut is called a "rip" cut...the stores usually charge about fifty cents per cut.

Good luck
Zip

Hey that's a good idea!
Never thought of that!

[jes]

I live in Mobile and realize we are probably safe, but I hate to wait until the very last 24 hours. I wonder if I even need to board up since the city of Mobile is actually about 50 miles from the coast. That is a wonderful idea about the stips of wood.

[jagesq]

You must have a neighbor who can help. I know you dont wanna ask, but when a hurricane is coming, everyone pulls together and helps each other out. Dont be afraid to ask for a little help. you will be surprised.

[Pebbles]

Ask a neighbor..... Have had to ask help before with lifting in my yard when I was single and recieved a wonderful response. Sure the offered beer and soda didn't hurt either and made some new neighborly friends too!

[Persepone]

Find an "old" hardware store (not a Home Depot) and get them to sell you the little gizmo that makes it possible for 59 year old 5'5" female to carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Fairly easily. It's a lifting/balancing aid. There are tools out there you can use to move plywood into place and screw it in, but you sort of need to think about it. (So that's why they made us learn physics in school...)

Of course asking the neighbor works pretty well, too. Unless they, too, are all in the same boat. But then you can help them! Women can do this stuff--we just have to be a little smarter about it. What men do with brute strength, we can do with thought and some simple tools...

[ursa minor]

50 miles? Mobile sits right on Mobile Bay and is below sea level. The flooding aspect usually only affects Downtown and parts of Midtown. The further west you go the higher the ground. A major storm will call for an evacuation of everyone south of I-10 and those in the Downtown area. As for boarding up I would wait and see a little longer. But remember the boarding up is for wind and not necessarily storm surge, Mobile will get plenty of wind in a big storm, so I would board up if we are in the the projected path. I have been throught some good size storms including Fredric - Sept. 12, 1979 and plenty of near misses. I live in Midtown and will board up if it looks like it will be close. Where do you live in Mobile?

[alicia-w]

I agree. Pizza and cold beer always convinced every guy I ever knew to help out with physical labor.

[jes]

I live in West Mobile off Grelot---sorry it took so long to respond - had to go to Bruno's a get the 3 bags of ice that I forgot to pick up after paying for them last week. I don't remember anyone boarding up for Fredrick except for business's. But then I was still pretty young and probably didn't notice.

[ursa minor]

Keep your eyes open, Where you are water shouldnt be a problem. It is better to be safe than sorry, I would rather spend the time boarding up then have tree limbs or another flying object fly through my window. People did board up for Fredric, at least in my neighborhood. I can still remember that night like it was yesterday. Of all the scary situations I have been in that is the tops. I can still remember the sound of debris hitting the side of my house including my boarded up windows. As for now just wait and see, it is to early to board up your windows with this great degree of uncertainty in the forcast. Just do not wait to long to get your lumber.
One more thought on Fredric, during the height of the storm the pressure became so great it blew my deadbolt locked double doors wide open forcing debris into my living room. Scary!

[jes]

The french doors in the house I'm living in now also blew in. My husband was here then. (he died quickly of cancer two years ago) I lived off ziegler during Fredrick. My house had almost no damage. You are right it was the most terrifying thing I've ever been through. I've been saying for the last 5 years that I'm waiting for a hurricane for a new roof. Now, I am perfectly willing to buy my own roof if Ivon would just leave us alone.