Groceries & Hurricanes

[JenyEliza]

Folks:
7 hurricanes in Southeast Florida in 44 years!
Yes, we have been cursed this year but prior to this year we had 5 in 44 years.
People are overreacting.
This amazing year will most likely NEVER be repeated in our lifetime!!!!

With all due respect, I think people here are mostly talking about what they've learned about Hurricanes and groceries.

I don't see people over reacting in this thread. I see people being very practical about how best to handle food during lengthy power outages, and how to preserve as much as possible of this necessity of life. That's not over reacting. That's just being realistic.

Jeny

[drudd1]

Folks:
7 hurricanes in Southeast Florida in 44 years!
Yes, we have been cursed this year but prior to this year we had 5 in 44 years.
People are overreacting.
This amazing year will most likely NEVER be repeated in our lifetime!!!!

Hmmm, something tells me that something like that probably was said prior to Charlie, and Frances, and Ivan, and Jeanne, and will probably be said before the next one too. Sorry for the run on sentence, just trying to make a point. Being prepared is not overreacting, it's the lessons learned from not being prepared the first time, and vowing not to make the same mistake again

[Persepone]

It's also learning from others. Often there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do something, but alternatives. And we all learn from those "aha!" moments we have when we read someone else's solution to a problem.

I love the suggestion about refreezing the glop if you have to throw everything out! I had to clean out a freezer of frozen food (mostly chicken) in a house that had been sealed up by the probate court for over a month during which time they cut the power off. My immediate reaction was to toss the whole thing out--freezer and all--but could not do that. It was AWFUL! I never thought of re-freezing everything, but it would have made the job a lot easier...

I also am very interested by what people stock as hurricane food. I realize how important "comfort food" is on the list. I think I will always include some popcorn that you can make over a fire.

[fci]

Folks:
7 hurricanes in Southeast Florida in 44 years!
Yes, we have been cursed this year but prior to this year we had 5 in 44 years.
People are overreacting.
This amazing year will most likely NEVER be repeated in our lifetime!!!!

Hmmm, something tells me that something like that probably was said prior to Charlie, and Frances, and Ivan, and Jeanne, and will probably be said before the next one too. Sorry for the run on sentence, just trying to make a point. Being prepared is not overreacting, it's the lessons learned from not being prepared the first time, and vowing not to make the same mistake again

Missing my point.
I am not minimizing the importance of preparedness at all.
What I am referring to is a sort of "doomsday" pall on the board anticipating a repeat of this extraordinary, possible "once in a lifetime" occurance of 4 Florida hurricanes and the eyes of two storms crossing the same location in a 3 week period at the same time of night.
I live 50 miles from where this happened and just missed the worst of the storms.

But, talk of keeping very little in freezers for the whole Hurricane season is a bit extreme.

Next, I will surely see recommendations for people here to put up shutters annually on June 1 and to leave them intact until November 30th!!

So, yes we are all more prepared for the "next" one, be it 2 weeks from tonight (being it seems to be an "every 3 weeks at slightly after midnight" deal) or 20 years from now. But, let's keep it in perspective that the eye of two storms 3 weeks apart in the same place is a freak of nature and presumebly a rare if not unique occurance.

[JenyEliza]

Folks:
7 hurricanes in Southeast Florida in 44 years!
Yes, we have been cursed this year but prior to this year we had 5 in 44 years.
People are overreacting.
This amazing year will most likely NEVER be repeated in our lifetime!!!!

Hmmm, something tells me that something like that probably was said prior to Charlie, and Frances, and Ivan, and Jeanne, and will probably be said before the next one too. Sorry for the run on sentence, just trying to make a point. Being prepared is not overreacting, it's the lessons learned from not being prepared the first time, and vowing not to make the same mistake again

Missing my point.
I am not minimizing the importance of preparedness at all.
What I am referring to is a sort of "doomsday" pall on the board anticipating a repeat of this extraordinary, possible "once in a lifetime" occurance of 4 Florida hurricanes and the eyes of two storms crossing the same location in a 3 week period at the same time of night.
I live 50 miles from where this happened and just missed the worst of the storms.

But, talk of keeping very little in freezers for the whole Hurricane season is a bit extreme.

Next, I will surely see recommendations for people here to put up shutters annually on June 1 and to leave them intact until November 30th!!

So, yes we are all more prepared for the "next" one, be it 2 weeks from tonight (being it seems to be an "every 3 weeks at slightly after midnight" deal) or 20 years from now. But, let's keep it in perspective that the eye of two storms 3 weeks apart in the same place is a freak of nature and presumebly a rare if not unique occurance.

Sorry, but the only one I see in this thread in full-blown hystrionics over hurricanes and groceries is....YOU.

Jeny

[JenyEliza]

But, let's keep it in perspective that the eye of two storms 3 weeks apart in the same place is a freak of nature and presumebly a rare if not unique occurance

Also, people in this thread were affected by more than just Jeanne and Frances.

Personally speaking, I was affected by Ivan, Jeanne and Frances. My mother and father got Charley, Frances and Jeanne. No, I wasn't at ground zero (and admittedly you were not either), but I am not in hysterics here. YOU ARE.

We're just a bunch of people discussing how to keep food safe and edible, and what tricks we learned this summer. If you want your own thread about hysterics and hurricanes.....why don't you start your own instead of trying to thread-jack mine?

Jeny

[JenyEliza]

It's also learning from others. Often there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do something, but alternatives. And we all learn from those "aha!" moments we have when we read someone else's solution to a problem.

I love the suggestion about refreezing the glop if you have to throw everything out! I had to clean out a freezer of frozen food (mostly chicken) in a house that had been sealed up by the probate court for over a month during which time they cut the power off. My immediate reaction was to toss the whole thing out--freezer and all--but could not do that. It was AWFUL! I never thought of re-freezing everything, but it would have made the job a lot easier...

I also am very interested by what people stock as hurricane food. I realize how important "comfort food" is on the list. I think I will always include some popcorn that you can make over a fire.

I can't imagine cleaning out all that chicken. The smell must have been horrendous. How did you get the smell out of the freezer after you cleared the spoiled food?

Jeny

[wolffeeder]

One good thing about Frances, I got rid of all those frozen mystery packets that were taking up so much space in the freezer.

Lots of people around here, including my mom, are swearing they are not going to fill their freezers so full. This is the same mom that just bought $75 of frozen vegetables yesterday. Old habits die hard I guess. But, when I pointed out to her that she would loose it all when the next 'cane hit, she didn't give me her usual line about we won't get hurricanes.

My sister mentioned a guy she knows from work who has a propane refrigerator / freezer. I thought, now there's an idea. Next refrigerator I buy might be propane. There is a good bit of information on them on websites that deal with living off the grid.

Then I realized that I do in fact have a small propane refrigerator /freezer, in that junky old motor home in my yard. I could have saved at least some of the food I lost by using it. I never even thought of it.

[cinlfla]

My sister mentioned a guy she knows from work who has a propane refrigerator / freezer. I thought, now there's an idea. Next refrigerator I buy might be propane. There is a good bit of information on them on websites that deal with living off the grid.

I never new such a thing exisisted I need one of those we lost a lot of food with Charley not quit as much with Frances but still lost, now we use frozen milk jugs and I have to say it works pretty good if you pack them on top of the foods but then it doesn't leave much room for the food you have. My biggest issue was keeping my 8 year olds insulin cold when the ice melted and we couldn't find any it was a big problem.

[wxman57]

Folks:
7 hurricanes in Southeast Florida in 44 years!
Yes, we have been cursed this year but prior to this year we had 5 in 44 years.
People are overreacting.
This amazing year will most likely NEVER be repeated in our lifetime!!!!

Better look at the pattern. Before that (last 44 years), the FL Peninsula was hit by 12 major hurricanes in 25 years (1944-1969). The key is the pattern. Back from 1944-1969, the Pacific PDO was cold phase and the Atlantic SSTs were warm phase - just as they are now. The PDO should last several decades, as will the above-normal Atlantic SSTs. So expect a pattern similar to back in 1944-1969 in Florida. Many more major hurricane landfalls in the next 2 decades than in the last 44 years. See my web page below for additional info:

http://myweb.cableone.net/nolasue/Florida/

There has been tremendous coastal development since the last time the Pacific PDO went cold and the Atlantic SSTs went warm. Now I'm not saying Florida will be hit by 4 hurricanes every year, but Florida can expect a major hurricane hit perhaps every 2-3 years vs. every 38 years from now through 2020 or so.

[alicia-w]

I think a point to be made is this; this could very well be a normal year! What is wrong with being prepared and then relieved when little if nothing happens in years to come? I really believe you should expect a season like this each and every year and thank whomever if it doesnt happen.

Meanwhile, if folks dont want to keep their freezers full, what do you care?

[lurkerinthemidst]

Ok I have been away a few days and then went to reread this post.
I don't think anyone was saying that this was going to happen again and again. If anyone got that from the post I posted then I am sorry because it was not meant that way. I was stating the fact that so many people lost food and the economic impact on this for some of these people is HUGE! If you spend your winter hunting and then your spring growing vegetables to put in your freezer and then maybe slaughter off your own meat that you have raised to put in your freezer to feed your family for the next 6 months and you lose it ALL. That is a MAJOR LOSS! Now take these same people and now tell them to go and replace this food. Again that is a huge thing. Some homeowners insurance isn't covering food loss. Some people may not have homeowners insurance. These people MAY decide that their course of action will be different the next go around. If that is preaching doom and gloom then I guess I am guilty. It is just stating a fact of life for some of these people. For people who have the money to go and just replace things then , yea its not that big of a deal. For someone like myself who is now struggling to feed her family because I lost 6 -9 months worth of food. It is a HUGE PROBLEM! Am I saying poor me, poor me. No because my family came out with our home semi - intact and our lives. That is what is important. But to sit there and quote how many hurricanes in the last 44 years hit has NOTHING to do with the topic. The topic was hurricanes and groceries!

Sorry all I got carried away and on my soap box.
I will just close at this.

[cinlfla]

Ok I have been away a few days and then went to reread this post.
I don't think anyone was saying that this was going to happen again and again. If anyone got that from the post I posted then I am sorry because it was not meant that way. I was stating the fact that so many people lost food and the economic impact on this for some of these people is HUGE! If you spend your winter hunting and then your spring growing vegetables to put in your freezer and then maybe slaughter off your own meat that you have raised to put in your freezer to feed your family for the next 6 months and you lose it ALL. That is a MAJOR LOSS! Now take these same people and now tell them to go and replace this food. Again that is a huge thing. Some homeowners insurance isn't covering food loss. Some people may not have homeowners insurance. These people MAY decide that their course of action will be different the next go around. If that is preaching doom and gloom then I guess I am guilty. It is just stating a fact of life for some of these people. For people who have the money to go and just replace things then , yea its not that big of a deal. For someone like myself who is now struggling to feed her family because I lost 6 -9 months worth of food. It is a HUGE PROBLEM! Am I saying poor me, poor me. No because my family came out with our home semi - intact and our lives. That is what is important. But to sit there and quote how many hurricanes in the last 44 years hit has NOTHING to do with the topic. The topic was hurricanes and groceries!

Sorry all I got carried away and on my soap box.
I will just close at this.

I agree 100% that this is a big deal for some people me included

[fci]

Well... now that I have been blasted by many of you; I'll agree that I misread the thread to be signs of over-reaction.
Apparently, given the volume of comments and anger over my statements; I was wrong in my judgement of the tambor of the thread.
Sorry to have ticked some of you off.

[Ixolib]

My sister mentioned a guy she knows from work who has a propane refrigerator / freezer. I thought, now there's an idea. Next refrigerator I buy might be propane. There is a good bit of information on them on websites that deal with living off the grid.

I never new such a thing exisisted I need one of those we lost a lot of food with Charley not quit as much with Frances but still lost, now we use frozen milk jugs and I have to say it works pretty good if you pack them on top of the foods but then it doesn't leave much room for the food you have. My biggest issue was keeping my 8 year olds insulin cold when the ice melted and we couldn't find any it was a big problem.

I know a guy who once had central air conditioning powered by natural gas. Only thing he needed electricity for was to run the fans on both the inside and outslde units - both low-load 110V. Maybe the gas companies ought to consider stronger marketing for these concept in areas prone to lengthy power outages.

[JenyEliza]

Ok I have been away a few days and then went to reread this post.
I don't think anyone was saying that this was going to happen again and again. If anyone got that from the post I posted then I am sorry because it was not meant that way. I was stating the fact that so many people lost food and the economic impact on this for some of these people is HUGE! If you spend your winter hunting and then your spring growing vegetables to put in your freezer and then maybe slaughter off your own meat that you have raised to put in your freezer to feed your family for the next 6 months and you lose it ALL. That is a MAJOR LOSS! Now take these same people and now tell them to go and replace this food. Again that is a huge thing. Some homeowners insurance isn't covering food loss. Some people may not have homeowners insurance. These people MAY decide that their course of action will be different the next go around. If that is preaching doom and gloom then I guess I am guilty. It is just stating a fact of life for some of these people. For people who have the money to go and just replace things then , yea its not that big of a deal. For someone like myself who is now struggling to feed her family because I lost 6 -9 months worth of food. It is a HUGE PROBLEM! Am I saying poor me, poor me. No because my family came out with our home semi - intact and our lives. That is what is important. But to sit there and quote how many hurricanes in the last 44 years hit has NOTHING to do with the topic. The topic was hurricanes and groceries!

Sorry all I got carried away and on my soap box.
I will just close at this.

You're exactly right. And your situation (and my parents) is why I started this thread to begin with. People like you with a young family to feed, and people like my parents...retired and on a fixed income, are HUGELY impacted by food loss. Like you, my parents buy/store food in bulk. It helps them manage their food budget, and makes sure they have plenty of food to eat when money is tight. I was concerned about the impact these storms have had on people's ability to feed themselves and their families. This has little to nothing to do with the poster's earlier comments about "hysterics".

This thread was intended by me to be a practical exchange of ideas and information so that people like you (or my parents or other retirees) could develop good strategies for food preservation based on other's experiences. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm glad you shared your situation with us....and I am deeply sorry for all that you've lost. I know the impact is great. Probably greater than most realize post-hurricane.

Hope things get better for you soon!

Jeny

[JenyEliza]

Well... now that I have been blasted by many of you; I'll agree that I misread the thread to be signs of over-reaction.
Apparently, given the volume of comments and anger over my statements; I was wrong in my judgement of the tambor of the thread.
Sorry to have ticked some of you off.

No worries. I just hope you understand what the original intent of the thread was and that it was not gloom and doom, but a chance to exchange ideas about ways to minimize food losses after major storms and massive power outages. This particular fallout from the storms doesn't seem to be getting much consideration from the media, insurance companies...or even weather nuts like yourself. I suppose it's hard to understand or realize how deep the impact is, unless you are hit hard with food loss and find yourself unable to afford to replace the food you've lost.

I know from my parent's side, they've been hit hard. They're retired and live on a fixed income. Storing food in bulk helps them eat well, while keeping their food costs low. My parents fill up the freezer with bulk meats and vegetables 2-3 times per year, and they eat out of the freezer all year long. They don't have a lot of expendable cash lying around to replace 6 months worth of food right now...and they certainly can't afford to replace it 3 times over. That's all.

Anyway, alls forgiven, and if you've got any good suggestions to share with us related to the topic...JUMP RIGHT IN. OK?

Jeny

[JenyEliza]

It's also learning from others. Often there is no "right" or "wrong" way to do something, but alternatives. And we all learn from those "aha!" moments we have when we read someone else's solution to a problem.

I love the suggestion about refreezing the glop if you have to throw everything out! I had to clean out a freezer of frozen food (mostly chicken) in a house that had been sealed up by the probate court for over a month during which time they cut the power off. My immediate reaction was to toss the whole thing out--freezer and all--but could not do that. It was AWFUL! I never thought of re-freezing everything, but it would have made the job a lot easier...

I also am very interested by what people stock as hurricane food. I realize how important "comfort food" is on the list. I think I will always include some popcorn that you can make over a fire.

My personal "comfort food" is a large warehouse sized bag of Wise Cheeze Doodles. YUMMM. No storm (winter or tropical) is complete without 'em at our house!!

Jeny

[Persepone]

JenyEliza wrote:
I can't imagine cleaning out all that chicken. The smell must have been horrendous. How did you get the smell out of the freezer after you cleared the spoiled food?

Actually, once the gunk was cleaned out, I scrubbed it down with almost straight bleach (wearing clothes that got tossed out after this). Then we got it outside in to the sun and left it OPEN and scrubbed it down again with bleach a couple more times, afterwards propping it open so the sun could shine in. It was on a "skid" in case it rained and we had a tarp for it so it would not get wet.

Bleach and air/sunshine did the trick.

PS My girlfriend now has the freezer--it is still going strong. It is a "chest" freezer. I think an upright would be more difficult because you could not get the sunshine effect as well. I've also heard of using charcoal to absorb odors but I think that would be after a few bleach treatments.

If I were better off financially, of course, I suppose I would not have even tried cleaning it--it was pretty disgusting--and took about 3 weeks total time before it truly was deodorized.