Hurricane Preparedness ( and general "bad times" links )

various FR links & stories | 10-23-05 | the heavy equipment guy

[backhoe]

As usual also, you have to follow "the links within the links" to see all the information. Rest assured, if you do so, you will find much to do, and much to ponder.

[Pessimist]

"Any group of idiots with a crate of hand grenades can do to the country at large exactly what we see happening in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. "

But not for long. Witness the recent attacks on Baghdad's electrical grid.

[America's Resolve]

Bookmarked! Thanks Backhoe! Excellent work! I live way outta town in the Iowa countryside, so we're used to going for days without the amenities, never hurts to be MORE prepared though :)

[backhoe]

Thank you both for looking.

I'll be around, but have to retrieve the Lovely Miss Emily from the boondocks at some time soon.

[mother22wife21]

Thank You so much for providing this info.

[backhoe]

Thanks for looking- it's appreciated.

[IncPen]

... boy scout ping...

[backhoe]

Thanks for those pings, neighbor... and regarding your tagline, take a look at mine:

[TheSpottedOwl]

I bookmarked this. I wonder what happens to inner city apartment dwellers who don't have the room to store all this stuff?

This might be mentioned on the links, but diaper wipes are indespensible. I used to fill up 2 liter soda bottles with water for camping trips many years ago, for a block ice substitute. Just pop them in the freezer for a couple of days before the trip.

Don't forget pet food. Storing an adequate amount of water has always seemed like a problem. It takes up so much space, and trying to remember to rotate the stock can be a pain.

Thank you for posting this! I don't think we have to worry about a hurricane, but we've had earthquakes frequently in the last few months, and in June or July, I think we had a small twister roll through. East facing, west facing doors, and all the windows trying to bust loose....? Lasted less than a minute. We need to get off our rears and get prepared, after we move.

[Vinnie]

Bookmarked and ping

[FReepaholic]

Here's a great water filter:

Here's the website:

www.aquarain.com

I bought one of these after September 11 when we were all concerned about the safety of our water supply.

[backhoe]

Hi, Owl!

Thanks for those tips, they're good ones.

Remembering food for any animals is easy to overlook- I've done it myself in the past.

One little-remembered source of clean water is your water heater- the water is flat ( shake it in a bottle to re-aerate it ), and may have minerals in the bottom of the tank when you first start draining it
( the hose barb at the base, behind the access panel- be sure to kill the power, just in case, and do not restore it until you get the tank refilled, later )
but it's potable.

Another overlooked source of water is every toilet tank ( not the bowl, mind you! ) which has about 5 gallons in it. If you're paranoid or fastidious, water purification tablets can be used to treat it, but it's perfectly sanitary, despite how it sounds!

[FReepaholic]

...I wonder what happens to inner city apartment dwellers who don't have the room to store all this stuff? ...

You'd be surprised how much room you can come up with if you try.

Store water containers under beds, can goods in closets, etc.

Another good way to store water is in a waterbed. There is a problem with some waterbed chemicals, however.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I only have 1 20 gauge shotgun am I doomed?

[backhoe]

http://www.aquarain.com

I bought one of these after September 11 when we were all concerned about the safety of our water supply.

---

Thanks- I'm sure many will find that helpful.

[backhoe]

Thanks for looking.

[backhoe]

I only have 1 20 gauge shotgun am I doomed?

Not at all- I routinely recommend a 20, or less often, a 16 gauge if that's what you are comfortable with.

The list you are probably referring to was copied from an unknown FReeper- I do recommend each person have a shotgun, a sidearm, and if possible, a rifle. Preferrably of common calibres/gauges. In other words, if you have a 20 gauge, it is less of a logistical problem if everyone else in your "unit" uses it, too.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I feel quite comfortable with my 20 and a 40 by my side. No rifles though.

[backhoe]

I feel quite comfortable with my 20 and a 40 by my side. No rifles though.

It's not really needed that much in a home setting- slugs will give your shotgun a reach of about a hundred yards, and that should be enough.

[Armedanddangerous]

No, you are ok, but I'd lay in extra shells. I have 10 boxes of 12 ga shells here and three more in the back of my Bronco.

Don't you have a handgun? You should.

I have a Glock 17 with six 17 round mags, plus a Kimber Gold Match 45 auto with several Wilson Combat 7 round magazines.