Here in Tomball TX, we’re about 70 miles from Galveston, and pretty much directly in Ike’s path, as of the 4am update. We’re not too worried about the storm itself. We may get Cat1 gusts, and heavy rain. But since the storm will be moving quickly through the area, we should avoid serious flooding from rain (I hope). My major concern at this point is power. We’ll almost certainly lose power tonight, and the talking heads are telling us to prepare for the possibility of power outages lasting a much as 2 weeks. How does one prepare for 2-weeks with no power? Leave?
Valid question.
Buy lots of canned goods, and several tanks of propane for the grill. Your refrigerated goods will likely spoil.
A generator would be nice as well, and bottled water.
“How does one prepare for 2-weeks with no power? Leave?”
You can pull up stakes and live away from home until things get better or you can use generators. I’ve done both. It isn’t hard to live without electric or with limited electric if you are mentally and physically prepared ahead of time to do so. Basically you learn to do what you have to until the power comes back. You learn how people lived before electrification.
How does one prepare for 2 weeks without power? You plan a trip to the high country, NM, CO,MT. I grew up in Houston without A/C I am too old to go back to that.
Maybe someone has already commented to you, but here’s what I’d do. Stock up on water, fill up some large containers and small containers if you can. You might need it for drinking or flushing the toilet. Have a way to cook food, like propane or charcoal for the grill, or wood for fire, or candles for warming up ready-to-eat foods (set the pot on a “box” of wood or maybe set it up on some rocks). Have lots of easy food, things that don’t need cooking or are easy to heat. Have batteries on hand, or fuel for a generator. I hope that helps!
If you can get gas ... get it now!
No power ... then the service stations can't pump gas!
A generator with out gas ... don't work!
Propane for the BBQ!