Things To Do Ahead Of Irene’s Arrival
Updated: Thursday, 25 Aug 2011, 1:27 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 25 Aug 2011, 1:27 PM EDT
Charlie McKenna, head of New Jersey’s Homeland Security Department, warns residents to prepare early for Hurricane Irene.
Here is a checklist of things to do before Irene’s suspected arrival late Saturday:
Top off gas tanks. If power is knocked out, gas pumps and ATMs
won’t work.
Have a working flashlight and batteries handy.
Have a battery-operated radio (to be able to listen to news
reports about the storm).
Fill drug prescriptions.
Have a first-aid kit at home.
Stock supplies of water and nonperishable food for 5 days. An
adequate water supply is 1 gallon of water per person per day.
Stock baby formula and diapers, if there are babies at home.
Heed evacuation orders from the Office of Emergency Management.
Governor of NJ said people should get out of Dodge (Shore towns) by Friday.
Maybe I’m missing something here...I have heard about a number of ‘box stores’ that have run out of bottled water. I just fill some containers at home with water from the tap...sure saves a lot of money and gas. :-)
Great info! An addition, if I may? Don’t forget plans/supplies for any pets :)
Great list mware.
For those in areas potentially affected by Irene GAS UP NOW. I’ve been through 2 cat 3s and the gas lines right before and after blew my mind.
Best wishes.
Take it from a veteran of Katrina, Betsy, and more hurricanes than I can remember:
You will need a lot more than 1 gallon per person per day to flush toilets. Fill tubs and some 5 gal. buckets.
Fill refrigerators now to keep them cool longer. Make block ice if you have a large freezer, from gallon (or larger) jugs or plastic buckets.
If the power should be out long enough for your refrigerator to lose all its cool, empty it out and leave the door open, to prevent maggots from breeding in spoiled food. Dispose of perishables because they will spoil and turn really, really nasty if you don’t. You have 5 days to a week before this will be necessary. Less time in hot weather.
Finally, what sounds silly but really is critical to your happiness and comfort: vacuum the house and do laundry right now!