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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Such great info!!! Good luck, I pray that you are safe this weekend. I know you will be prepared!!!
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.
We don’t suffer hurricanes in Central California where I live, but this is a great article, Martha 🙂
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.
Thinking of you and sending good vibes your way…stay safe!!
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!