HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KIT

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KIT

Living on the coast of South Carolina, we are now closely watching the path of Hurricane Matthew.  Even though it’s only Tuesday, the hurricane is projected it hit around Little River, South Carolina near the North Carolina border.  We all know nature has a mind of its own and that could change. But everyone along the coast has to keep a watchful eye and make a hurricane preparedness kit.

martyafter
The first thing you need is to make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.  You also need to have the evacuation route in order. It is suggested to drive at least 100 miles from the coast and if you travel with your pets, make sure you bring food and water from them.

It’s good to know where shelters are located in case you can’t find lodging elsewhere. Some are pet friendly, others are not.

We have a hurricane kit ready at all times just to be on the safe side.  These are some of the things that we keep stocked up:

Flashlights and Batteries, Candles and Matches

Solar charger for cell phones

Important papers – Insurances, medical, and phone numbers for the same.

Cash  if power is out, credit cards may not be able to be used)

Prescription medications

Water for at least 3 days

Non perishable foods

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN:

Take coloring books and crayons, reading books and other games that can be played without needing batteries.  Also pack some snacks that they like and their special blanket or security item they like to carry with them.

For the few days preceding a hurricane,  updates will be constant letting residents know when mandatory notices will be in place and pointing out the evacuation routes.  It’s at this time when you will want to put things in your yard in a secure place. Chairs, barbecue grills, flags and anything that can fly around can be dangerous in high winds.

zacyardwork
If a hurricane hits in your area, the following day will be one to survey your property and check on any damage.  A word of caution if walking through water, be sure to wear boots!   Some people don’t realize that debris with possible nails may be under the water. Also there can be snakes and other animals along with bacteria.   It’s also best not to drive through water, sometimes it may not look deep but you could find your vehicle totally submerged.

The other thing, you may lose power after the hurricane and it may be out for some time. Some people have generators but many don’t. If you don’t open your freezer, the food can be safe for a day or two but once it starts to thaw, you will want to cook it up.  Make sure you have a full propane tank before the storm hits and you will be set for grilling.  Cook up what is thawing out and pass out to your neighbors or any volunteers helping out after the storm.

If in the path of a hurricane, stay alert to details, follow the directions from the local officials, have a hurricane preparedness kit, know your evacuation route and stay safe.

 

UPDATE:  Hurricane Matthew came to shore about a week after I wrote the above blog and this is what it looked like before and during the hurricane.  To see more photos and read about our experience, click this link: http://themarthareview.com/before-hurricane-matthew-hit-south-carolina/

While we lost power at our home for about four days, our store power stayed on.  I loaded up our induction burner and food that was beginning to thaw out and off to work we went!  Sometimes we have to make the best out of things beyond our control. These are two blogs I wrote after the hurricane left our shores and some of the devastation.

http://themarthareview.com/faced-with-adversity/

http://themarthareview.com/no-power-at-home-so-went-out-for-dinner/

 

 

Share this:
Martha DeMeo

I started my blog on Christmas Day 2014 mainly to review products I received. Since then it has evolved into many other categories of lifestyles, family, money saving ideas, low cost, delicious and healthy meals plus other surprise posts. My granddaughter has her own category, Alex's Articles and the latest addition to my blog is my great granddaughter now has her category, Lia's Likings The Baby Blogger! Lia started blogger at 8 months old and she now has a Friday Story Time blog you won't want to miss! I welcome you to join the conversation, ask a question, give a suggestion or leave a comment on any blog post. I hope you enjoy Lia's Likings, she has some great posts that will make you smile!

12 Discussion to this post

  1. Hi, Martha. I really appreciate you sharing this readiness post. More people need to be reached and educated on how to prepare themselves in case of disaster or emergency. With Climate Change exacerbating how we live, we need to be ready for any number of things that can cause an emergency situation. While I’m in Canada, we’re still expecting heavy rains and winds from Matthew. Time to get a few supplies on hand in case we lose power! I’ve shared your post to my Facebook page (Emergency and Disaster Preparation) and to my Twitter page (@Emergency__Prep) as well.

    • Martha says:

      Hello Jane! Living in a tourist town, there are so many that take a hurricane lighty. The more that people know, I feel the better it is for everyone, including the local officials that risk their lives to protect those that don’t want to follow evacuation orders. Thank you for sharing to your page and now I know of it, I am following it. Keep safe and hopefully Matthew will calm down.

  2. Pam says:

    We are in this boat with you! I am in South Florida and getting prepared. Schools are already cancelled for Thursday and Friday. We have gotten water, gas, medicines and dog food! I think we are all done. As an aside, I moved to FL 24 years ago about 6 weeks before Hurricane Andrew. That was very scary to live through.

    • Martha says:

      I’ve been watching “the cone” all day and looks like it was changed a bit with more of Florida in it. We’ve been in SC full time for about 17 years and I don’t even like the small storms. Stay safe and we’ll catch up after it settles down. Thanks for visiting Pam.

  3. Danielle says:

    Oh my – that is so scary. I am so grateful to live somewhere where we rarely have any severe weather. A lot of snow at most! LOL This sounds like good advice. I hope everyone will be safe!

    • Martha says:

      We are originally from way upstate New York and my hubby says he’ll take a huge snow storm over a hurricane any day! The not knowing what the path will be is so frustrating for three days prior to it getting organized. We’re packed and ready to evacuate if necessary but praying Matthew changes his mind and turns out to sea. Thanks for stopping by Danielle.

  4. Jennifer Bay says:

    Such great info!!! Good luck, I pray that you are safe this weekend. I know you will be prepared!!!

    • Martha says:

      Thanks Jennifer! Since so many people are relocating to the “sunny south” and have never been through a hurricane, I’m hopping this may help even one person be a bit more prepared. Thanks for stopping by.

  5. We don’t suffer hurricanes in Central California where I live, but this is a great article, Martha 🙂

    • Martha says:

      Your weather is scary with earthquakes though Marsha! Seems like every part of the country has their own weather worries, hoping Matthew stays east and out at sea. Thanks for visiting.

  6. Cindy says:

    Thinking of you and sending good vibes your way…stay safe!!

    • Martha says:

      Thanks Cindy, as of now they say the track may be turning east after it passes Florida. We’re packed and ready if we have to leave but hoping we dont. I’m catching your good vibes!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.