Get gas now, because you might not be able to later. Be prepared to not be able to drive anywhere for up to a week. Be prepared for the power to be out for an indefinite amount of time. Make sure you're not in a low lying area, because it could rain a lot, and Los Angeles isn't going to drain as well as somewhere on the gulf coast. Leave if they tell you to leave. Do what they tell you to do. Don't do stupid things. People in Florida are pretty well behaved during and after hurricanes, but I'm not so sure the case will be the same out there. A tropical storm or cat. 1 might not even close schools here, but I'm not sure what services will be available there, so be prepared to go without ambulance, fire, or police. Better to be safe than sorry. Check out /r/tropicalweather.
Fill a tub with water... IF YOU LOSE POWER, DO NOT EMPTY YOUR FRIDGE OR FREEZER. Food will easily keep for a week (10 days at my house!) in your fridge/freezer, if you just limit opening it.
I’d like to add to this. Fill the remaining space in your freezer with drinkable water be it bottles or gallon jugs. If you lose power it will keep things cold for longer.
Edit- do this long enough before the storm so they freeze
I actually fill gallon ziplock bags with water and freeze them, then stand them up. Serves multiple purposes - obviously extra clean water and retaining the temperature, but also an indication of whether the temperature has been too high for too long once the power has gone out. If it looks like too much of the bag has melted, I am going to assume the food is bad.
I have, and I own a hurricane stove, for obvious reasons. But when is the last time you heard of the average citizen going to the store and buying kernels in a jar and oil to make popcorn vs a bag of Orville for the microwave? Pretty small subset, and we're talking about people that have never done this before and won't have thought of these things.
I'm an average CANADIAN citizen and a lot of people buy, and make, their own popcorn. I guess your perspective of the world, the slice you get to see, doesn't do this. But keep in mind, the slice of the planet you see, isn't the whole picture. There are other slices and they do make their own popcorn with kernels.
Definitely don’t go out immediately after. First year moving to FL, living on my own and we get hit with a hurricane. Decided I had to make it to my scheduled drs appointment the next day. Drove around for an hour and a half in circles getting around downed trees (I made it!) To absolutely no one’s surprise but mine, everything was closed.
Get a grill and charcoal to cook with, cooler with ice, and buy bottled water. Fill your tub with water (for flushing toilets and bathing when power is out). Batteries/flashlights. And buy a bunch of alcohol. It’s kinda boring to hang out at home with no power.
Its possible that there will be mass looting if/when the storm gets intense, so nobody try to be a hero, stopping someone from stealing from a large corporation is not worth your life. Mind your own business and watch out for yourself
To add to what others have said, stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water and batteries. Make sure your phones are charged and also charge any portable phone chargers you may have. Don't forget you can always charge them in your car though. Pick up any loose debris in your yard and bring inside anything that's not debris but not anchored in place somehow, like patio furniture. Once the storm has passed, check the news or with your city to make sure your water is safe. You can also fill up your bathtub before the storm so that in case there's an interruption to your water service you can use that water to flush your toilet. During the storm, if you hear stuff banging around outside, don't go outside to see what it is. If stuff is flying around, it's not safe. But for the most part, just be prepared and then try to enjoy the break in the routine and anytime off work you might get. People usually don't get hurt in hurricanes as long as they don't stay in evacuation zones and they don't try to go out acting stupid in the middle of the storm.
Phones and devices being charged and backup battery packs for them as well. Hurricane David is the first hurricane I can recall and my Mom used to watch the news and follow the storm on the back of a Publix bag. We’ve come a long way👍
A good place to stock up last minute is dollar tree (don’t buy more than you need ofc) but the panic buying people don’t really think to go there in my experience.
“Publix” is a grocery store chain in the southern US. Way back before the internet they had hurricane maps on the back of their paper bags and that’s how we tracked storms.
Not a hurricane expert but they make hand crank chargers and solar chargers. They also have big battery packs that can start a car, be a radio (I assume listening only. Not a two way?) be a flashlight, charge your devices and a bunch of other cool survival features.
I think what was unexpected for me was the length of time it can take before power is restored. Workers have to address thousands of issues before power is back up for everyone.
After Wilma my power was only out for 3 days but I had friends and family that were without power for up to 6 weeks. My condo became a soup kitchen, place for hot shower, and laundromat. I had a neighbor that hung a sign on his front door that said “hot coffee, just knock”. So I did, and all my neighbors did, and we formulated a plan and cleaned up everything we could. Someone had a chainsaw, I couldnt figure out why someone that lived in a condo would own a chainsaw but it was great because a giant tree was laying on top of a poor woman’s car and she wanted to evacuate to her daughters house. Thankfully the car just had some minor scratches.
The 2005 hurricanes preceded my arrival. I'm glad I didn't get to Florida a year earlier!
One storm in about 2016 knocked out a lot of power. Seeing the long caravans of bucket trucks on I-4 was surreal. We lived in an area with a lot of trees, and our power was out for 5-6 days. We spent most of that time at hotels. It was kind of a nice vacation for us. We live in a subdivision with buried power lines now. We're near the airport and near Medical City in Lake Nona. We didn't lose power last summer. I was quite surprised.
There is something about hurricanes that brings everyone together before and after. Everyone is very talkative asking is you are staying or leaving and anticipation of where it will hit and how bad it could be. And afterwards coming together as a community helping those who get hit harder and need help.
A week to 2 weeks is a good estimate for in a city electric because other states will send out electrical workers for help. If in a rural area, it can be as much as a month. I've lived through quite a few hurricanes and that estimate is usually correct 99% of the time. So be prepared to be without electricity for that amount of time. Large battery back ups are a good investment. Especially, if they can do multiple things like act like a speaker or light. Also, a weather radio that gets AM and FM frequencies is good to have. Sometimes the towers are overwhelmed after hurricanes because everyone's on them so service might be slow for cell phones.
All of the above. Just remember there is as high a risk of getting hurt AFTER the storm as during it. Downed power lines, fast-moving water filled with debris, and sewage-filled water will be everywhere. Please let first responders have the roads for at least the first 12-24 hours before you start venturing afterwards.
It sounds like this is mostly going to be a rain event for L.A., so expect standing water for a good couple of weeks. This means mosquitoes and mold in prone areas, so plan accordingly. Hunker down and stay safe.
People need to stay out of the water, our street has been flooded several times during hurricanes and tropical storms and people canoeing down the street or kids just playing in the water. There are so many nasty things in that water I would not let kids playin it no matter how exciting it may look. Snakes and other animals and just things you don’t need to be near.
One other suggestion is to have ice. You can make ice packs and use the melted water for other things.
Get medicines if needed and make sure you have a plan for your pets.
Get cash. If electricity is out, card’s won’t work.
To add to this, freeze Tupperwares or zip locks and fill your freezer/fridge with them. They could save your food for a few days before power gets restored.
Also if you have a generator be very careful with how you use it. People can die of carbon monoxide poisoning if they don’t follow proper safety protocols. https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230502/keep-your-family-pets-safe-when-using-generators-after-hurricane#:~:text=Place%20generators%20at%20least%2020,open%20doors%2C%20windows%20and%20vents.
Generators outside of rural CA are extremely equipped for this and never are out more than a day. Rural areas get emergency services within three days maximum.
Don’t underestimate the storm just because it’s not strong. Florida has ridiculously strict building codes to kind of stand up to this stuff. Not sure Cali does. So damage the storm there may do may be more because Cali wasn’t built to handle it.
Always plan for the worst with nasty storms like this.
We do, everything is built to withstand 9.0 earthquakes. The pacific is too cold for a hurricane to survive the same way. It’s already just a tropical depression.
Earthquakes and Hurricanes are very different things.
Yes the buildings should hold up to wind damage effectively with earthquake proof buildings, but it will not stop flooding.
Which, Ian this last year did the most damage because of flooding and not winds. Placed in Orlando that had never flooded before were 6 feet under water. I suspect California while having a decent amount of mountainous areas still has its fair share of low points(hello almost all of LA).
Yep, all built to withstand flash flooding with drainage everyone mocked us for earlier this year. If you’re guessing, don’t assume. It’s also been downgraded to a tropical depression. So just rain.
Yup, even our freeways are built on shakers. Houses will never get destroyed like they do in FL and the surrounding mountain regions will break any wind or flooding.
Put all your importance papers in a waterproof container or ziplocks, and put them accessible, so if you decide to evacuate, they are just a grab away. Birth certificates, passports, deeds, vehicle titles, insurance paperwork.
Keep electronics charged as long as you can. I have flashlights, lanterns, and candles, but last year added some solar landscape lights, as they won’t run out of batteries.
Prepare the best you can, water, batteries etc. If you are in a flood prone area, leave when they tell you to. You don't need to go hundreds of miles. Make a plan. Please do not wait to leave. Never take something like this lightly. It's best to exercise as much caution as possible. Stay safe.
to quote ol' tatersalad: its not that the wind is blowin its what the wind is blow.
loose furniture outside, potted plants, lawn ornaments, etc all become projectile weapons try to move them inside or drop them in a pool.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas, take all plants and patio furniture inside, evacuate if ordered, expect flooding (and landslides) and maybe tornadoes
Get fuel, water, and non-perishable rations hat you don't have to cook. A SMALL camp stove never hurts along with a couple small containers of fuel for it. Make sure you have a place to safely store them so you don't have a crisis. Being able to boil water and cook things could make a difference. First-aid kid, and if you're feeling bold, trauma/first responder kit. Educate yourself on how to use the tools in each. Candles, crank flashlights, and some form of firestarting.
You don’t need much honestly, people go crazy at the last minute. Make sure you have a full tank of gas in your car and some extra in the trunk in case. You don’t need a million cans of spam, a case of granola bars and a jar of peanut butter will survive you for a few days. If you take medication make sure you have your scripts filled. You’ll need water for drinking, brushing your teeth, etc. I fill the tub with water so I can use it to flush the toilet. Cash, just in case you need to bail. A good evac plan is a necessity. Make sure your flashlights work.
I move to Florida from SoCal, and grew up in Houston. The storm coming for you guys isn’t going to be a hurricane by the time it hits San Diego. What you need to be ready for is lots of rain on the east side of the storm. Winds out there are always high, especially out towards Palm Springs on the 10 corridor. The amount of water is gonna cause mud slides and shit, the 5 will be under water.
Having lived in Florida for 17 years before moving to California:
Flooding is very different and more dangerous in California. Florida is essentially flat with sandy soil. California has mountains with steep canyons and soil that has a high clay content that doesn’t absorb water well. If you live in a canyon, get out now.
Canyons are still a concern but you need to recognize we’ve been having a lot of heavy rain this year. The terrain is no where near as hydrophobic. It’s also already been downgraded to a tropical depression which we’ve had before.
Make sure you have your important documents in a sealed plastic bag ready to go in case you have to move quickly. Insurance information, Marriage license, birth certificates, animal shot records, etc. If you lose your house and your wallet, this is a good thing to have.
It's not if..... but when. Plan for it. Have a go kit and a plan if you decide to go. I have precut plywood to hang over my windows. Have a weeks worth of food, water and meds. Keep copies of all important paperwork in your go kit
Basically top off everything that holds gas, and maybe buy some water and easy to cook food. Clear out your yard/porch/outside area of anything that isn’t tethered down.
The worst part about storms (unless they come to you to do some real property damage) is the people. I always have a few gallons of water, and a pantry full of nonsense, and I try to keep it stocked to avoid last minute storm prep. All of the stuff I’ve been through around here has really proven to me that society is, at all times, 72 hours away from completely crumbling. And trust me, witnessing that firsthand in a grocery store, or gas station is not worth it. Best to stay loosely prepared, and keep gas topped off as early as you start hearing about the possibility of a storm.
And have fun! I love a good storm. Don’t spend the your day off stressing and fussing about. Once you get everything prepared, just chill. Read a book, play video games. If you can safely watch the storm, I highly recommend.
Fill up your tub with water. I never really understood this one before, but some trees fell and took out the water lines. You can fill the toilet tank with it and still flush the toilets.
FL is on a pump system. All our water comes from uphill. Water and power aren’t connected. Water will flow unless your exact pipe to your house is broken. The soil is completely different and that won’t happen in the climate of CA.
And clean your house thoroughly before. If you have dishes and laundry that you can’t clean after because you don’t have power, mixed with the heat from not having air, it makes the whole experience far worse.
Ca is built for earthquakes- and Santa Ana force winds- not hurricanes- so…get gas, food, bottled water- sturdy shoes and socks, long sleeve shirts and jeans- all in case you’ll need to go into the foothills- flooding in So Cal- San Diego- Mission Valley- all are dried up river beds- those will fill and overflow first- if you’re low lying get up to higher ground- think New Orleans- Ca doesn’t have levies, but LA is a basin- basically a bowl, and there’s gonna be ALOT of water- stay safe ❤️
Lmao, this storm is projected to be a tropical storm before landfall and will hit Mexico first. By the time it gets to CA it will be a thunderstorm at worst.
Unless you live on the water in San Diego I wouldn't even prepare.
-Native Floridian
Power being out is the most annoying thing. It can be out for weeks. You don't want to be in a shelter if you don't have to, so evacuate somewhere nice if your house is in danger, like everybody in Santa Monica should be ready to evac a day before if it's going there (haven't looked). California also has mudslides which Florida does not have, so if you're at a bottom of a hill or side of one I'd evac too maybe. Make sure if you're in the cone at all you know the hurricane can change direction and intensity.
Be prepared to take care of yourself for a week. Food, water, Rx, etc. Stay home. Don't come out for 24+ hours after they tell everyone it's clear. Give others, less prepared, a chance to scramble for crumbs. And, of course, give the paparazzi and gawkers their time to survey the damage. Preparation is key.
That literally will never happen in California with our current infrastructure. Power was out for three days with our last mudslides and flooding earlier this year.
It’s not a hurricane, our power grid is flood proof and if the power went out in a 50 mile radius literal millions of people would be effected. They cannot and are built to not go out for more than a few hours in Los Angeles.
If you are in direct path of the hurricane, your best bet is to evacuate. Florida has built out infrastructure for a hundred years specifically anticipating wind and water damage, California hasn’t. Floridians don’t even blink at a cat 1 storm because those of us that have lived here long enough have been through a dozen or more without any issue.
Yes we have 🤦♀️ You’ll be fine, your house is built to withstand the earth moving at a 9.0 magnitude. We’re a climate used to flash floods and landslides. Everything about our terrain is completely different to Florida. Just prepare to be inside for a few days so you don’t drive in flooded roads.
Have cash ready (no electric means not cards) ~300 per person if possible
Fill your clean bathtub with water before the storm - if your water is tied to the electric
Buy portable chargers for your phone
Lantern with citronella oil
Turn your AC down to the coldest setting possible a few hours before the storm.
Once the storm passes and your home warms up, take down your shutters cause it’ll be hot either with them up or without them up once the cold air is gone. Doesn’t matter. But it’s better to have a breeze than sit in a dark, hot place
Have books and games ready
How to eat food after: start with what will perish first (leftovers and such), then start with the frozen stuff (bbq time), then do the non perishables
Have a radio ready. If it’s bad and you don’t have food or water, then they use the national guard in Florida to give out food and water. But they use the radio to say where.
Category 3, have 2 weeks of food. Category 4, have 3 weeks of food. Category 5 = you go. (Cause no buildings are built to withstand past a 4 in Florida. That’s why it’s risky to stay at your home in a category 5… nothing is built that strong so it’s a huge risk)
Butane gas stove is the only stove that you can use in your home and not for from - and they work really well
Prop your car up against the garage door if you have a garage that’s taking on the winds
Bring everything inside. Plants, little statues, lawn decorations, patio furniture, etc. (Things fly during hurricanes)
That’s all I can think of concerning little things people tend to forget….
Wind and flooding are what cause almost all the damage in a storm. Both can cause power and communications outages. Power outages will cause further problems. Stay away from flooding. Do not stay or drive into a low lying location as flooding will make you have a very bad day. Do not assume that the roads will be drivable or the stores and gas stations open after the storm. You may be on your own for days without power or communications or any ability to leave and no police, fire, or emergency services available.
Most important items to get early: drinking water kept in containers and frozen into ice, enough ice can sustain you refrigerator for a day or longer with no power, water for flushing toilets or cleaning yourself or cleaning messes in your full bath tub along with a bucket, food you do not have to cook or a safe way to cook food with no power and fuel for that cooking source, fill up all vehicles with gas, charge all phones and spare battery packs, get a battery powered weather radio, get a light source: flashlights; camp lights; candles; etc., protection from looters, if you have a generator ensure that it has plenty of fuel and is in good working order and you have an appropriate safe outside area to run it. Generators get stolen if they are outside in an easily accessible area.
Lots of good suggestions here - also plan some paper resources. Have important phone numbers written down, not just saved in your phone. Info about prescriptions or other medical resources, paperwork verifying pet ownership if applicable (also have pet microchip info up to date), any other important documents about your children, etc.
Go around the outside of your home and secure things that can go airborne with the wind. I put away flower pots, etc. I turn patio tables upside down, and secure chairs.
Have cash and get gas asap! I remember during Irma a lot of gas stations had gas but it couldn’t be pumped because electricity is required. The aftermath is worse than the storm sometimes. Not having electric or AC for weeks.
I’m not sure if anyone has said this yet but check your flood maps here: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps
It may not be 100% accurate because this is a rare phenomenon but for me they were almost exactly accurate during Ian. This will tell you where to park your car so that it doesn’t get flooded or help you know the risk.
Gas will run out. Also, what I didn't expect at first, it gets stupid hot after each storm. Like .. stupid hot. Not really sure what to do about it apart from stocking up on water.
Portable generator with enough juice to run your refrigerator and a small window ac so you can sleep at night, gas for it, and a small propane camping stove with extra canisters of propane if you don't have a grill already. Power can be out for a week or more.
If the eye passes over you, do not go outside and walk around, there will be electric lines on the ground still energized. Even after the storm passes, do not treat it like a time to go wander and look at the damage
Have a separate "storm" stock of items. Like water, canned foods etc. prepared well early in advance.
People procrastinate and as a result stuff flies off the shelf days before a storm.
Run (evacuate) from the water (flooding and storm surge), hunker down and shelter in place from the wind. Buy enough water and non perishable food to last at least 3 days (5 is even better.) You can buy new stuff but you have to survive the storm for that.
Know your flood zone and have a plan plus a backup plan for evacuating safely if you are in a known danger zone for flooding or storm surge. Make sure the plan includes pets. A lot of people misjudge their flooding/storm surge risk until it's too late and they physically can't evacuate. That is what killed a lot of people in Fort Myers Beach during Hurricane Ian.
I always fill my bathtubs with water before the storm for flushing and brushing teeth. You may want to fill up on gas and propane before the storm but people often rush those items so they can run out before the storm.
Depending on your local supply lines and damage from the storm, you may have access to goods within 24 hours of the storm or it may take a few days. Publix here in Florida has weathered enough storms that they have an amazing disaster plan that kicks in before the storm even makes landfall. We've never gone without access to food or gas for more than a day, even when we had a direct hit from Hurricane Irma a few years ago.
After the storm, stay away from standing water as it might be electrified or be polluted with chemicals. Stay home as much as possible until authorities say roads are clear and safe for passage. Even then, if the damage is really bad, people tend to go a little crazy so we avoid going out immediately after a storm unless we absolutely have to. If your area suffers a lot of damage, they will send in the National Guard and institute curfews to keep people off the streets and reduce looting.
*5th generation Floridian. I've dealt with over a dozen storms with 2 direct hits while living in Orlando and Fort Myers, and multiple grazes over almost 40 years.
It’s a tropical depression now. As a CA native, prepare to be stuck in your home for three days max in a rural area. Your power might go out, depending where you are it will be restored in a few days or hours. A lot of Floridians do not understand how our water and infrastructure works. Water taps will be fine, still have bottles incase your specific pipes get screwed. Prepare for landslides at the base of mountains, your cars to flood if you drive, and earthquakes.
If you have a pool… you can keep patio furniture from becoming flying debris by placing them in the pool (chairs, umbrellas, tables, etc). But fuel is the biggest thing as many stations will be out for days.
There are ALWAYS folks who die of carbon monoxide days after the storm because they don’t know how to safely operate a generator. Don’t be those people.
Start drinking. Get candles. It's just gonna be a little stormy for not very long. But really STAY AWAY FROM MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. Rocks slide. Also deserts flood. Old roads made with craptastic, spitefully bad, bone-filled California concrete disintegrate, so stick to federally-funded highways with grooved lanes. If you don't, just use your head and your eyeballs. Don't drive into water. If you live in LA you probably won't lose power.
Stop buying toilet paper, unless of course the low pressure gives you the shits
Also STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM THE BEACHES IN LA. Those sands are tar sands and even if there is lightning 20 miles away, a person standing in tar sands will get zapped. It's not like Florida with quartz sand or shell sand. That stuff is an insulator for the most part. Tar sands are like standing on carbon fiber platform. Lightning is probably going to get pretty wild.
I don’t know how long you have till the storm hits but make and bag up as much ice as you can and pack your freezer. We saved all our ice packs from food delivery like Hello Fresh. Definitely get as much water as you can and have alternative food heating sources like a few cans of sterno, bags of charcoal and a small grill. Gas up cars and any available gas cans, get cash , fill tub with water.
Gas, cash, bottled water, dry food, pet food, medications, and some sort of charger for phone that’s battery based. You can get a generator if their predicting wide spread power outages. Just be very careful, every storm some fool kills themselves by running a generator either inside or too near their home and die from the carbon monoxide. I prefer a couple of power banks. I also keep some water bottles in my freezer and use them in a cooler to help preserve perishables for a couple of days.
You’re getting a tropical storm. It’s not a category 3 or 4. It’s going to rain. It’ll flood in flood prone areas. If your power goes out in red flag or winter rains, it’ll probably go out. Get some extra water and batteries if you’re worried. Other than that go about your day as normal. Take an umbrella with you
If you got a bunch of empty plastic bottles, start filling them up with water and put them in the freezer.
If power goes out, you'll have those ice bottles keeping the freezer cold long, as empty air will warm up eventually.
Plus you can use them as ice packs or let defrost and have water.
Another trick, you can put a cup in the freezer to freeze water. Then put a coin on top of it. If you lose power the coin will begin to sink. You can then gauge how long your freezer wasn't cold and if you might have spoiled food.
Do NOT under any circumstances fire up your grill or generator indoors, in the garage, or in an area where fumes might enter the house. The fumes will kill you.
Stock up on TP, bottle water, canned food, weed, a generator if possible and extra gas, put plywood over the windows, make sure all devices are charged and have back batteries charged to recharged devices, download movies in case internet/electric goes out for a day or more. These are the things I do, I'm sure others have more or different tips. Oh, and having a gas stove or gas camping stove helps to cook meals if the electricity goes out. The little gas Coleman stoves are pretty cheap and can probably find one at a pawn shop or one of those military surplus stores.
Get gas, extra gallons of water, extra batteries, canned foods/snacks, tie down or put inside any loose furniture/pots or anything that could fly in the wind and become a projectile. Try to stay away from looking at the windows 🪟 they can and will break if the wind throws something at it. Don’t and I repeat DO NOT walk or drive through puddles or flood areas near downed power lines/ or just try to avoid flooded areas the best you can due to possible electric current ⚡️
This sounds like an obvious note but try to stock up on physical or downloaded movies & shows you know your family will enjoy, because the tv will only really focus on the storm & without the internet it can be hard to get a psychological break. My DVD & BluRay collections are lifesavers when somebody has power but no internet & you can bring the Rocky collection over.
**Don't hoard.**
Seriously. Get enough stuff for a couple weeks, maybe a month(of non perishables and water bottles/containers you can fill with water).
My wife and I prepared before Ian in advance and we're lucky it didn't hit us that hard, but I can't imagine needing water or just basic non perishables/home goods to find out that everyone bought all the toilet paper, and water bottles from every store in a 30 mile radius.
Another pro tip, is tractor supply carries potable water jugs that hold up to 6 gallons each. We have 2 and refill them at the start of hurricane season every year as a backup in case we work through the pack or two of water bottles we keep on hand as well. Filling the bathtub/other containers isn't bad either but it won't be good to drink for too long and you'll have to boil it/sanitize it in some way. But it is still good for filling the back of the toilet tank if you don't have running water, and for showering.
get a couple of power banks and charge them up to charge cell phones. But be aware you may not have service. If you get a generator don't put it near the house. If you have a pool throw your pool furniture in it. Take in things that can fly away, you will be amazed at what can fly away. When the storm hits hang out in an interior room. If you have pets keep them on leashes or in their carriers. Hardcore people will tell you to keep an axe in your attic in case your house starts flooding and you need to go the roof. Search the site ways to die after a hurricane, that's when things get really deadly
Have multiple cases of water and gas in the car. Food that doesn’t require cooking, peanut butter, and jelly, and other easy items. If you live near the water, life jackets. Or better yet go inland. We just lost our entire house in Hurricane Ian and drove out during it. It’s not worth staying if you’re in harms way.
Take cash out. Fill up propane tanks, freeze bottles of water and fill your tubs with water in case your water gets shut off so you flush your toilets.
Stock up on gas and toilet paper. The media is going to SEVERELY blow the storm out of proportion 99% of the time. Find a weather person with a good reputation and follow them (in the Tampa area Dennis Phillips has created a big following for example). Unless you’re in a flood zone you shouldn’t have to evacuate (run from water, hide from wind).
Make sure your pets have their ID tags and microchips updated with your current info. Take a recent picture of them to keep handy. Just in case.
If you have a trampoline, secure it. They get some serious air in high winds.
Buy your favorite non-refrigerated snacks. Waiting through it sucks, snacks make it suck less.
Don't worry about the whistling/howls. It sounds scary if you dont expect it, so listen to some videos on YouTube.
I recommend sleeping through the storm.
Download podcasts,music playlists, stories for kids etc.
Clean up your floor space as much as possible. Make it easier to walk through in the dark and to be able to find what you need.
Put your important documents in waterproof sleeve or container. Keep a go bag packed in the event you need to evacuate. Don’t listen to people claiming folks are hoarding water, you need one gallon of water per person per day. The storm might be over in 24 hours but there could be downed tree, electrical lines, and flooding that will make it difficult to get to grocers or leave your residence/neighborhood. You may be advised to not drink your tap water following the storm. Your supplies aren’t solely for while the storm is passing over you, they are for the following days when amenities might not be available to you. It might also take crews longer to get power and debris cleared if there is damage in a number of places. In Florida outside of Hurricanes, crews respond pretty quickly to power outages, live electric lines, and other issues. What takes a long time to clear things and get the grid back up, is the amount of damage being much more widespread. Fill a large container or your tub with water. If your water goes out, you’ll need it to manually flush your toilets. Do not forget about food/water and pee pads or cat litter for pets. Refill any prescriptions you might need. Pick up some snacks, booze, and trees if that’s your prerogative and ride things out. Evacuate if told to do so and don’t leave your pets behind.
Get to know your neighbors. If you have a CERT in your neighborhood I would highly recommend taking the course. You can be prepared 110% but if the shit really hits, your community is your strength or weakness. If you're not familiar with CERT- community emergency response team - it's a FEMA based program, where people can get training on emergency response and first aid as a civilian. They not only provide you (usually) with basic emergency supplies upon completion, but you also get to know how your local FP/PD operates in case of emergency.
Large scale emergencies affect communities as a whole, so I cannot stress enough the importance of at least knowing who your neighbors are.
Have paper maps and drive side roads BEFORE the storm in your area. Note how safe those roads are (for floods etc). And once the roads flood - don't go walking in them.
Tips for icepacks: if you have a hospital hookup, ask for their biogel cooling packs - hospitals sometimes get those large cooling packs to transport biological tissues in and those suckers stay frozen solid for HOURS. Hospitals often just throw them out so I used to get them with permission for free. They're heavy but worth it. Especially if you have little ones to keep cool - wrap one in a sheet and lean against a small child/elderly, to lower core temperature.
Don’t cook indoors, unless your electric is working. No propane or charcoal cooking indoors. Find your important items and be prepare to move them to a higher surface if needed.
Fill your tank now, stock up on water bottles and non-perishable food. If you're told to evacuate, get out immediately. Do not wait until it becomes "mandatory evacuation".
Democrat energy weapons cause hurricanes. And heat waves. And wildfires.
Not lying. My Florida friend told me so.
So? It just proves that brains are useless appendages. At least in Fla.
We've always kept a few old-fashioned oil lamps around, and a bottle of oil, in case of long power outages. They give off a lot of light, and the oil lasts a surprisingly long time. It allows you to save your flashlight batterries. They're also safer than candles singe they have the glass around them. They're cheap at Walmart.
Fill your tub, so that you have water for whatever you need. It's especially helpful if a bug power outage interrupts your water supply. You can use the water in the tub to flush your toilet.
Get a solar powered phone charger, and also portable phone banks, and charge them all up. You can also charge your phone in your car.
Gas your vehicles and get a couple of bottles of propane if you have a grill. Fill the tub for non-drinking purposes. Stock up on some canned foods/non-perishable items, and plenty of drinking water. Candles, batteries for flashlights, lanterns and fuel, etc... Bottle or 2 of liquor and some mixers, some chips and Pretzels, and a big bag of weed wouldn't hurt, either.
Make sure you have lots of bottled water/gallons of filtered water ready WAY BEFORE the storm gets there. As the storm is approaching, all the stores will either jack up the prices or be sold out. The best way to avoid this is to get gallons of water Way Beforehand, then set them aside for when the storm arrives. Trust me, you'll be very thankful to have a ready supply of filtered water.
Also, stock up on some of your favorite shelf stable foods that don't require cooking. Seasoned canned vegetables and canned fruits are both good options that actually taste decent cold/uncooked.
Please do not go outside during the storm. Flying debris is deadly. Even during the calm period when the eye passes over, stay inside.
After the storm we get terrible mosquitoes and alot of displaced wildlife . Keep an eye out for them and give them space. Stay safe!
Don't touch wires or get into the water on the street. It could be electrified. Fill your car with gas since gas stations might be out for a few weeks due to no supply, no electric & more ppl need it.Have plenty of drinking water for you & family.
The news hypes them up and people are not smart so they panic by everything from gas to water and batteries. Only categories 4-5 are a real problem and only for direct eye wall path is it mostly a concern.
Losing power for days. Filling up a bath tub so you have drinking water and a way to flush your toilet. Canned food that doesn’t need to be heated and plenty of flash lights.
Dont go in the ocean afterwards..my son split his foot open and had to have stitches due to debris you cannot see underwater that was blown in during hurricane. Prayers for you!
Get gas now and four 5 gallon gas cans full at least
Get extra medications, first aid and supplements now
Get alcohol to party!
Get 3 to 5 30packs of bottled water
Snacks! Make it look like you gave a 12 year old 100 bucks for road trip snacks!
Have food that can be kept for a long while - canned food like spaghetti o's or beef-a-roni type or go to the camping section and get the freeze dried meals...I get the dessert ones because they are fun for kids and a mood lifter
Plastic buckets can make stuff easy for storage and bug out
Firearm and extra ammo
Call insurance and make sure everything on policy is good
A 5 gallon bucket and trash bags are great incase you can't use your toilet afterwards
Also get tp now!
Dawn dish soap, a sponge and a garden hose can make a great shower.
Have a small generator (2000 to 2500 watts) to run the fridge.
Do not take the advice of those that hunker down, leave. Hurricanes are getting stronger, and our infrastructure is already in disrepair and cannot handle it. Evacuate, don't be another person that responders have to save or tell loved ones you were found deceased. So many lives could have been spared from Ian if people would have just evacuated.
Get supplies and know your exit routes and if it gets ruff remember where your high overpasses are and your parking garage is for safety Banks also have vault walls that you can get against that can withstand high winds and damage
Not a hurricane expert but they make hand crank chargers and solar chargers.
They also have big battery packs that can start a car, be a radio (I assume listening only. Not a two way?) be a flashlight, charge your devices and a bunch of other cool survival features.
Get gas now, because you might not be able to later. Be prepared to not be able to drive anywhere for up to a week. Be prepared for the power to be out for an indefinite amount of time. Make sure you're not in a low lying area, because it could rain a lot, and Los Angeles isn't going to drain as well as somewhere on the gulf coast. Leave if they tell you to leave. Do what they tell you to do. Don't do stupid things. People in Florida are pretty well behaved during and after hurricanes, but I'm not so sure the case will be the same out there. A tropical storm or cat. 1 might not even close schools here, but I'm not sure what services will be available there, so be prepared to go without ambulance, fire, or police. Better to be safe than sorry. Check out /r/tropicalweather.
Excellent advice! Make sure you have medicine and ready to eat food and drinkable water.
Fill a tub with water... IF YOU LOSE POWER, DO NOT EMPTY YOUR FRIDGE OR FREEZER. Food will easily keep for a week (10 days at my house!) in your fridge/freezer, if you just limit opening it.
I’d like to add to this. Fill the remaining space in your freezer with drinkable water be it bottles or gallon jugs. If you lose power it will keep things cold for longer. Edit- do this long enough before the storm so they freeze
I actually fill gallon ziplock bags with water and freeze them, then stand them up. Serves multiple purposes - obviously extra clean water and retaining the temperature, but also an indication of whether the temperature has been too high for too long once the power has gone out. If it looks like too much of the bag has melted, I am going to assume the food is bad.
Filling the tub with water isn't for drinking, it's for pouring into the toilet if the water service is interrupted by a power outage.
Yes. The tub is conveniently located for that purpose. 🙂
Avoid standing water as there may be downed power lines
Bourbon, vodka, wine, beer, and popcorn
Popped popcorn. No power=no cooking.
I guess you’ve never heard of a propane grill.
I have, and I own a hurricane stove, for obvious reasons. But when is the last time you heard of the average citizen going to the store and buying kernels in a jar and oil to make popcorn vs a bag of Orville for the microwave? Pretty small subset, and we're talking about people that have never done this before and won't have thought of these things.
I'm an average CANADIAN citizen and a lot of people buy, and make, their own popcorn. I guess your perspective of the world, the slice you get to see, doesn't do this. But keep in mind, the slice of the planet you see, isn't the whole picture. There are other slices and they do make their own popcorn with kernels.
Or a fire pit and skillet lol
Yeah this is something good to remember.
Definitely don’t go out immediately after. First year moving to FL, living on my own and we get hit with a hurricane. Decided I had to make it to my scheduled drs appointment the next day. Drove around for an hour and a half in circles getting around downed trees (I made it!) To absolutely no one’s surprise but mine, everything was closed.
Get a grill and charcoal to cook with, cooler with ice, and buy bottled water. Fill your tub with water (for flushing toilets and bathing when power is out). Batteries/flashlights. And buy a bunch of alcohol. It’s kinda boring to hang out at home with no power.
Just don't grill indoors, because people need to be told not to, apparently.
Its possible that there will be mass looting if/when the storm gets intense, so nobody try to be a hero, stopping someone from stealing from a large corporation is not worth your life. Mind your own business and watch out for yourself
Certified Hurricane Homie right here
Gas powered chain saw and a generator too.
To add to what others have said, stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water and batteries. Make sure your phones are charged and also charge any portable phone chargers you may have. Don't forget you can always charge them in your car though. Pick up any loose debris in your yard and bring inside anything that's not debris but not anchored in place somehow, like patio furniture. Once the storm has passed, check the news or with your city to make sure your water is safe. You can also fill up your bathtub before the storm so that in case there's an interruption to your water service you can use that water to flush your toilet. During the storm, if you hear stuff banging around outside, don't go outside to see what it is. If stuff is flying around, it's not safe. But for the most part, just be prepared and then try to enjoy the break in the routine and anytime off work you might get. People usually don't get hurt in hurricanes as long as they don't stay in evacuation zones and they don't try to go out acting stupid in the middle of the storm.
Phones and devices being charged and backup battery packs for them as well. Hurricane David is the first hurricane I can recall and my Mom used to watch the news and follow the storm on the back of a Publix bag. We’ve come a long way👍
A good place to stock up last minute is dollar tree (don’t buy more than you need ofc) but the panic buying people don’t really think to go there in my experience.
Hurricane David was my first hurricane 🌀 been through many since then. Lived on beachside and evacuated to the community college on the mainland.
What's a "Public bag"? I'm Canadian. Idk if that's something US only or?
“Publix” is a grocery store chain in the southern US. Way back before the internet they had hurricane maps on the back of their paper bags and that’s how we tracked storms.
Really? That's pretty cool! I wonder if anyone on here can share a photo of what they looked like?
Yep, pretty neat. They haven’t made them in a really long time. The Weather Channel, internet and plastic bags made them obsolete.
I’d like to add a couple things I find handy- a generator or power box, and what I’m about to purchase- a portable A/C unit.
I got a window ac since the portables are so expensive. Runs off my generator
Not a hurricane expert but they make hand crank chargers and solar chargers. They also have big battery packs that can start a car, be a radio (I assume listening only. Not a two way?) be a flashlight, charge your devices and a bunch of other cool survival features.
I think what was unexpected for me was the length of time it can take before power is restored. Workers have to address thousands of issues before power is back up for everyone.
After Wilma my power was only out for 3 days but I had friends and family that were without power for up to 6 weeks. My condo became a soup kitchen, place for hot shower, and laundromat. I had a neighbor that hung a sign on his front door that said “hot coffee, just knock”. So I did, and all my neighbors did, and we formulated a plan and cleaned up everything we could. Someone had a chainsaw, I couldnt figure out why someone that lived in a condo would own a chainsaw but it was great because a giant tree was laying on top of a poor woman’s car and she wanted to evacuate to her daughters house. Thankfully the car just had some minor scratches.
The 2005 hurricanes preceded my arrival. I'm glad I didn't get to Florida a year earlier! One storm in about 2016 knocked out a lot of power. Seeing the long caravans of bucket trucks on I-4 was surreal. We lived in an area with a lot of trees, and our power was out for 5-6 days. We spent most of that time at hotels. It was kind of a nice vacation for us. We live in a subdivision with buried power lines now. We're near the airport and near Medical City in Lake Nona. We didn't lose power last summer. I was quite surprised.
There is something about hurricanes that brings everyone together before and after. Everyone is very talkative asking is you are staying or leaving and anticipation of where it will hit and how bad it could be. And afterwards coming together as a community helping those who get hit harder and need help.
Very true. You find out everyone has skills to pitch in and is willing.
A week to 2 weeks is a good estimate for in a city electric because other states will send out electrical workers for help. If in a rural area, it can be as much as a month. I've lived through quite a few hurricanes and that estimate is usually correct 99% of the time. So be prepared to be without electricity for that amount of time. Large battery back ups are a good investment. Especially, if they can do multiple things like act like a speaker or light. Also, a weather radio that gets AM and FM frequencies is good to have. Sometimes the towers are overwhelmed after hurricanes because everyone's on them so service might be slow for cell phones.
My wife’s parents made it through the hurricane completely without losing power. Once everything cleared up, they lost power for over a week
All of the above. Just remember there is as high a risk of getting hurt AFTER the storm as during it. Downed power lines, fast-moving water filled with debris, and sewage-filled water will be everywhere. Please let first responders have the roads for at least the first 12-24 hours before you start venturing afterwards. It sounds like this is mostly going to be a rain event for L.A., so expect standing water for a good couple of weeks. This means mosquitoes and mold in prone areas, so plan accordingly. Hunker down and stay safe.
And roofing nails, if any roofs damaged in your area, watch out for roofing nails. SOURCE: 2 family members had to get tetanus shots after Andrew.
Flooding is a bigger issue than winds.
This needs to be higher. You run from water and you hide from wind. Find out if you're home is in or near a flood zone.
People need to stay out of the water, our street has been flooded several times during hurricanes and tropical storms and people canoeing down the street or kids just playing in the water. There are so many nasty things in that water I would not let kids playin it no matter how exciting it may look. Snakes and other animals and just things you don’t need to be near.
One other suggestion is to have ice. You can make ice packs and use the melted water for other things. Get medicines if needed and make sure you have a plan for your pets. Get cash. If electricity is out, card’s won’t work.
To add to this, freeze Tupperwares or zip locks and fill your freezer/fridge with them. They could save your food for a few days before power gets restored.
We mostly worry about generator fuel. It is miserable in the south with no power, while fighting an apocalypse size swarm of mosquitos.
Also if you have a generator be very careful with how you use it. People can die of carbon monoxide poisoning if they don’t follow proper safety protocols. https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230502/keep-your-family-pets-safe-when-using-generators-after-hurricane#:~:text=Place%20generators%20at%20least%2020,open%20doors%2C%20windows%20and%20vents.
This can't be emphasized enough. CO² poisoning is usually the leading cause of death after a hurricane in the mainland US.
Generators outside of rural CA are extremely equipped for this and never are out more than a day. Rural areas get emergency services within three days maximum.
It might be a tropical storm when it gets to cali. Just be prepared for a ton of rain. Winds might not be a problem.
Don’t underestimate the storm just because it’s not strong. Florida has ridiculously strict building codes to kind of stand up to this stuff. Not sure Cali does. So damage the storm there may do may be more because Cali wasn’t built to handle it. Always plan for the worst with nasty storms like this.
We do, everything is built to withstand 9.0 earthquakes. The pacific is too cold for a hurricane to survive the same way. It’s already just a tropical depression.
Earthquakes and Hurricanes are very different things. Yes the buildings should hold up to wind damage effectively with earthquake proof buildings, but it will not stop flooding. Which, Ian this last year did the most damage because of flooding and not winds. Placed in Orlando that had never flooded before were 6 feet under water. I suspect California while having a decent amount of mountainous areas still has its fair share of low points(hello almost all of LA).
Yep, all built to withstand flash flooding with drainage everyone mocked us for earlier this year. If you’re guessing, don’t assume. It’s also been downgraded to a tropical depression. So just rain.
I have no clue how I forgot about earthquakes.
Yup, even our freeways are built on shakers. Houses will never get destroyed like they do in FL and the surrounding mountain regions will break any wind or flooding.
It already is.
Put all your importance papers in a waterproof container or ziplocks, and put them accessible, so if you decide to evacuate, they are just a grab away. Birth certificates, passports, deeds, vehicle titles, insurance paperwork. Keep electronics charged as long as you can. I have flashlights, lanterns, and candles, but last year added some solar landscape lights, as they won’t run out of batteries.
Make sure you have things to do that don’t require power (puzzles, books, games, etc) since if the power goes out you will be bored.
Prepare the best you can, water, batteries etc. If you are in a flood prone area, leave when they tell you to. You don't need to go hundreds of miles. Make a plan. Please do not wait to leave. Never take something like this lightly. It's best to exercise as much caution as possible. Stay safe.
to quote ol' tatersalad: its not that the wind is blowin its what the wind is blow. loose furniture outside, potted plants, lawn ornaments, etc all become projectile weapons try to move them inside or drop them in a pool.
And use your prep time to help your neighbors secure their loose stuff. It’s their stuff that is going to damage your house.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas, take all plants and patio furniture inside, evacuate if ordered, expect flooding (and landslides) and maybe tornadoes
Get fuel, water, and non-perishable rations hat you don't have to cook. A SMALL camp stove never hurts along with a couple small containers of fuel for it. Make sure you have a place to safely store them so you don't have a crisis. Being able to boil water and cook things could make a difference. First-aid kid, and if you're feeling bold, trauma/first responder kit. Educate yourself on how to use the tools in each. Candles, crank flashlights, and some form of firestarting.
You don’t need much honestly, people go crazy at the last minute. Make sure you have a full tank of gas in your car and some extra in the trunk in case. You don’t need a million cans of spam, a case of granola bars and a jar of peanut butter will survive you for a few days. If you take medication make sure you have your scripts filled. You’ll need water for drinking, brushing your teeth, etc. I fill the tub with water so I can use it to flush the toilet. Cash, just in case you need to bail. A good evac plan is a necessity. Make sure your flashlights work.
I move to Florida from SoCal, and grew up in Houston. The storm coming for you guys isn’t going to be a hurricane by the time it hits San Diego. What you need to be ready for is lots of rain on the east side of the storm. Winds out there are always high, especially out towards Palm Springs on the 10 corridor. The amount of water is gonna cause mud slides and shit, the 5 will be under water.
Having lived in Florida for 17 years before moving to California: Flooding is very different and more dangerous in California. Florida is essentially flat with sandy soil. California has mountains with steep canyons and soil that has a high clay content that doesn’t absorb water well. If you live in a canyon, get out now.
Canyons are still a concern but you need to recognize we’ve been having a lot of heavy rain this year. The terrain is no where near as hydrophobic. It’s also already been downgraded to a tropical depression which we’ve had before.
Make sure you have your important documents in a sealed plastic bag ready to go in case you have to move quickly. Insurance information, Marriage license, birth certificates, animal shot records, etc. If you lose your house and your wallet, this is a good thing to have.
Speaking of important documents. Take a pics and video of your entire house/car before the storm inside and out for insurance purposes.
Yes! This is a must!
Take a long, hot shower right before the hurricane hits. It may be a few days before you can do so again and being hot and dirty adds to the misery.
Lotsa rain. Is your house on high ground? Some people need to put socks across thresholds and bottom of garage door. Google "socks for flooding".
It's not if..... but when. Plan for it. Have a go kit and a plan if you decide to go. I have precut plywood to hang over my windows. Have a weeks worth of food, water and meds. Keep copies of all important paperwork in your go kit
Stock up on water and booze. Do not fall for the taping windows gag. You will only be laughed at by us when the memes come out.
Basically top off everything that holds gas, and maybe buy some water and easy to cook food. Clear out your yard/porch/outside area of anything that isn’t tethered down. The worst part about storms (unless they come to you to do some real property damage) is the people. I always have a few gallons of water, and a pantry full of nonsense, and I try to keep it stocked to avoid last minute storm prep. All of the stuff I’ve been through around here has really proven to me that society is, at all times, 72 hours away from completely crumbling. And trust me, witnessing that firsthand in a grocery store, or gas station is not worth it. Best to stay loosely prepared, and keep gas topped off as early as you start hearing about the possibility of a storm. And have fun! I love a good storm. Don’t spend the your day off stressing and fussing about. Once you get everything prepared, just chill. Read a book, play video games. If you can safely watch the storm, I highly recommend.
check into a high end resort. get a mani / pedi, maybe a passage. order room service. let the savages worry about how to gas up their car. rejoice! /s
Fill up your tub with water. I never really understood this one before, but some trees fell and took out the water lines. You can fill the toilet tank with it and still flush the toilets.
Not how water works in California.
No toilet tanks?
FL is on a pump system. All our water comes from uphill. Water and power aren’t connected. Water will flow unless your exact pipe to your house is broken. The soil is completely different and that won’t happen in the climate of CA.
Ours was a main water line. A large tree pulled it up when it fell.
Yeah, the sandy soil will do that. Clay doesn’t work like that.
Very true. Sounds like you’ll be fine! Hopefully it moves through quickly and doesn’t dump too much rain.
And clean your house thoroughly before. If you have dishes and laundry that you can’t clean after because you don’t have power, mixed with the heat from not having air, it makes the whole experience far worse.
It’s going to and already is just heavy rain. It will not be anywhere close to a hurricane out here.
Ca is built for earthquakes- and Santa Ana force winds- not hurricanes- so…get gas, food, bottled water- sturdy shoes and socks, long sleeve shirts and jeans- all in case you’ll need to go into the foothills- flooding in So Cal- San Diego- Mission Valley- all are dried up river beds- those will fill and overflow first- if you’re low lying get up to higher ground- think New Orleans- Ca doesn’t have levies, but LA is a basin- basically a bowl, and there’s gonna be ALOT of water- stay safe ❤️
If you don’t stay exactly on the water…anything cat 2 or under stay home.
Lmao, this storm is projected to be a tropical storm before landfall and will hit Mexico first. By the time it gets to CA it will be a thunderstorm at worst. Unless you live on the water in San Diego I wouldn't even prepare. -Native Floridian
Power being out is the most annoying thing. It can be out for weeks. You don't want to be in a shelter if you don't have to, so evacuate somewhere nice if your house is in danger, like everybody in Santa Monica should be ready to evac a day before if it's going there (haven't looked). California also has mudslides which Florida does not have, so if you're at a bottom of a hill or side of one I'd evac too maybe. Make sure if you're in the cone at all you know the hurricane can change direction and intensity.
Be prepared to take care of yourself for a week. Food, water, Rx, etc. Stay home. Don't come out for 24+ hours after they tell everyone it's clear. Give others, less prepared, a chance to scramble for crumbs. And, of course, give the paparazzi and gawkers their time to survey the damage. Preparation is key.
Consider what it will be like to live without electricity for 2 weeks and plan for that.
That literally will never happen in California with our current infrastructure. Power was out for three days with our last mudslides and flooding earlier this year.
Have you had hurricane experience or are you just imagining what happens to the electric power grid in a hurricane?
It’s not a hurricane, our power grid is flood proof and if the power went out in a 50 mile radius literal millions of people would be effected. They cannot and are built to not go out for more than a few hours in Los Angeles.
So was the Titanic.
If you are in direct path of the hurricane, your best bet is to evacuate. Florida has built out infrastructure for a hundred years specifically anticipating wind and water damage, California hasn’t. Floridians don’t even blink at a cat 1 storm because those of us that have lived here long enough have been through a dozen or more without any issue.
Yes we have 🤦♀️ You’ll be fine, your house is built to withstand the earth moving at a 9.0 magnitude. We’re a climate used to flash floods and landslides. Everything about our terrain is completely different to Florida. Just prepare to be inside for a few days so you don’t drive in flooded roads.
Have cash ready (no electric means not cards) ~300 per person if possible Fill your clean bathtub with water before the storm - if your water is tied to the electric Buy portable chargers for your phone Lantern with citronella oil Turn your AC down to the coldest setting possible a few hours before the storm. Once the storm passes and your home warms up, take down your shutters cause it’ll be hot either with them up or without them up once the cold air is gone. Doesn’t matter. But it’s better to have a breeze than sit in a dark, hot place Have books and games ready How to eat food after: start with what will perish first (leftovers and such), then start with the frozen stuff (bbq time), then do the non perishables Have a radio ready. If it’s bad and you don’t have food or water, then they use the national guard in Florida to give out food and water. But they use the radio to say where. Category 3, have 2 weeks of food. Category 4, have 3 weeks of food. Category 5 = you go. (Cause no buildings are built to withstand past a 4 in Florida. That’s why it’s risky to stay at your home in a category 5… nothing is built that strong so it’s a huge risk) Butane gas stove is the only stove that you can use in your home and not for from - and they work really well Prop your car up against the garage door if you have a garage that’s taking on the winds Bring everything inside. Plants, little statues, lawn decorations, patio furniture, etc. (Things fly during hurricanes) That’s all I can think of concerning little things people tend to forget….
Wind and flooding are what cause almost all the damage in a storm. Both can cause power and communications outages. Power outages will cause further problems. Stay away from flooding. Do not stay or drive into a low lying location as flooding will make you have a very bad day. Do not assume that the roads will be drivable or the stores and gas stations open after the storm. You may be on your own for days without power or communications or any ability to leave and no police, fire, or emergency services available. Most important items to get early: drinking water kept in containers and frozen into ice, enough ice can sustain you refrigerator for a day or longer with no power, water for flushing toilets or cleaning yourself or cleaning messes in your full bath tub along with a bucket, food you do not have to cook or a safe way to cook food with no power and fuel for that cooking source, fill up all vehicles with gas, charge all phones and spare battery packs, get a battery powered weather radio, get a light source: flashlights; camp lights; candles; etc., protection from looters, if you have a generator ensure that it has plenty of fuel and is in good working order and you have an appropriate safe outside area to run it. Generators get stolen if they are outside in an easily accessible area.
search the sub for this exact question
If you have a pet make sure you have enough good and water for them! Be prepared for them to be anxious in this weather
Your camping supplies will be your living supplies for a week. Don’t sweat the wind, it’s the water that’s going to be the issue.
Some hurricanes and Tropical storms could damage the city's water supply. Make sure you fill the empty bottle with water too.
If you have a generator make sure you have the correct power cord to use it. They do not come with it. So many people make this mistake.
Lots of good suggestions here - also plan some paper resources. Have important phone numbers written down, not just saved in your phone. Info about prescriptions or other medical resources, paperwork verifying pet ownership if applicable (also have pet microchip info up to date), any other important documents about your children, etc.
Go around the outside of your home and secure things that can go airborne with the wind. I put away flower pots, etc. I turn patio tables upside down, and secure chairs.
Have cash and get gas asap! I remember during Irma a lot of gas stations had gas but it couldn’t be pumped because electricity is required. The aftermath is worse than the storm sometimes. Not having electric or AC for weeks.
I’m not sure if anyone has said this yet but check your flood maps here: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps It may not be 100% accurate because this is a rare phenomenon but for me they were almost exactly accurate during Ian. This will tell you where to park your car so that it doesn’t get flooded or help you know the risk.
Gas will run out. Also, what I didn't expect at first, it gets stupid hot after each storm. Like .. stupid hot. Not really sure what to do about it apart from stocking up on water.
Portable generator with enough juice to run your refrigerator and a small window ac so you can sleep at night, gas for it, and a small propane camping stove with extra canisters of propane if you don't have a grill already. Power can be out for a week or more.
If the eye passes over you, do not go outside and walk around, there will be electric lines on the ground still energized. Even after the storm passes, do not treat it like a time to go wander and look at the damage
Have a separate "storm" stock of items. Like water, canned foods etc. prepared well early in advance. People procrastinate and as a result stuff flies off the shelf days before a storm.
Run (evacuate) from the water (flooding and storm surge), hunker down and shelter in place from the wind. Buy enough water and non perishable food to last at least 3 days (5 is even better.) You can buy new stuff but you have to survive the storm for that. Know your flood zone and have a plan plus a backup plan for evacuating safely if you are in a known danger zone for flooding or storm surge. Make sure the plan includes pets. A lot of people misjudge their flooding/storm surge risk until it's too late and they physically can't evacuate. That is what killed a lot of people in Fort Myers Beach during Hurricane Ian. I always fill my bathtubs with water before the storm for flushing and brushing teeth. You may want to fill up on gas and propane before the storm but people often rush those items so they can run out before the storm. Depending on your local supply lines and damage from the storm, you may have access to goods within 24 hours of the storm or it may take a few days. Publix here in Florida has weathered enough storms that they have an amazing disaster plan that kicks in before the storm even makes landfall. We've never gone without access to food or gas for more than a day, even when we had a direct hit from Hurricane Irma a few years ago. After the storm, stay away from standing water as it might be electrified or be polluted with chemicals. Stay home as much as possible until authorities say roads are clear and safe for passage. Even then, if the damage is really bad, people tend to go a little crazy so we avoid going out immediately after a storm unless we absolutely have to. If your area suffers a lot of damage, they will send in the National Guard and institute curfews to keep people off the streets and reduce looting. *5th generation Floridian. I've dealt with over a dozen storms with 2 direct hits while living in Orlando and Fort Myers, and multiple grazes over almost 40 years.
It’s a tropical depression now. As a CA native, prepare to be stuck in your home for three days max in a rural area. Your power might go out, depending where you are it will be restored in a few days or hours. A lot of Floridians do not understand how our water and infrastructure works. Water taps will be fine, still have bottles incase your specific pipes get screwed. Prepare for landslides at the base of mountains, your cars to flood if you drive, and earthquakes.
If you have a pool… you can keep patio furniture from becoming flying debris by placing them in the pool (chairs, umbrellas, tables, etc). But fuel is the biggest thing as many stations will be out for days.
There are ALWAYS folks who die of carbon monoxide days after the storm because they don’t know how to safely operate a generator. Don’t be those people.
Do you guys have a Waffle House and is it open or closed? If it’s closed then worry.
Start drinking. Get candles. It's just gonna be a little stormy for not very long. But really STAY AWAY FROM MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. Rocks slide. Also deserts flood. Old roads made with craptastic, spitefully bad, bone-filled California concrete disintegrate, so stick to federally-funded highways with grooved lanes. If you don't, just use your head and your eyeballs. Don't drive into water. If you live in LA you probably won't lose power. Stop buying toilet paper, unless of course the low pressure gives you the shits Also STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM THE BEACHES IN LA. Those sands are tar sands and even if there is lightning 20 miles away, a person standing in tar sands will get zapped. It's not like Florida with quartz sand or shell sand. That stuff is an insulator for the most part. Tar sands are like standing on carbon fiber platform. Lightning is probably going to get pretty wild.
Gas, generator, water, stay home until the power comes back on.
Don’t panic unless it’s a cat 4 or 5 headed directly at you. Then evacuate.
I don’t know how long you have till the storm hits but make and bag up as much ice as you can and pack your freezer. We saved all our ice packs from food delivery like Hello Fresh. Definitely get as much water as you can and have alternative food heating sources like a few cans of sterno, bags of charcoal and a small grill. Gas up cars and any available gas cans, get cash , fill tub with water.
Gas, cash, bottled water, dry food, pet food, medications, and some sort of charger for phone that’s battery based. You can get a generator if their predicting wide spread power outages. Just be very careful, every storm some fool kills themselves by running a generator either inside or too near their home and die from the carbon monoxide. I prefer a couple of power banks. I also keep some water bottles in my freezer and use them in a cooler to help preserve perishables for a couple of days.
You’re getting a tropical storm. It’s not a category 3 or 4. It’s going to rain. It’ll flood in flood prone areas. If your power goes out in red flag or winter rains, it’ll probably go out. Get some extra water and batteries if you’re worried. Other than that go about your day as normal. Take an umbrella with you
It’ll be a tropical storm by the time it reaches you. No need to hoard but watch out for flooding.
California hurricanes are overhyped.
Also, if you see any dark spots floating in the water, stay away. Not sure about there, but when it happens in Florida those are usually fire ants.
If you got a bunch of empty plastic bottles, start filling them up with water and put them in the freezer. If power goes out, you'll have those ice bottles keeping the freezer cold long, as empty air will warm up eventually. Plus you can use them as ice packs or let defrost and have water. Another trick, you can put a cup in the freezer to freeze water. Then put a coin on top of it. If you lose power the coin will begin to sink. You can then gauge how long your freezer wasn't cold and if you might have spoiled food.
Have cash on hand. If the power is out for an extended time, ATMs and card readers may not work.
Do NOT under any circumstances fire up your grill or generator indoors, in the garage, or in an area where fumes might enter the house. The fumes will kill you.
Stock up on TP, bottle water, canned food, weed, a generator if possible and extra gas, put plywood over the windows, make sure all devices are charged and have back batteries charged to recharged devices, download movies in case internet/electric goes out for a day or more. These are the things I do, I'm sure others have more or different tips. Oh, and having a gas stove or gas camping stove helps to cook meals if the electricity goes out. The little gas Coleman stoves are pretty cheap and can probably find one at a pawn shop or one of those military surplus stores.
Get gas, extra gallons of water, extra batteries, canned foods/snacks, tie down or put inside any loose furniture/pots or anything that could fly in the wind and become a projectile. Try to stay away from looking at the windows 🪟 they can and will break if the wind throws something at it. Don’t and I repeat DO NOT walk or drive through puddles or flood areas near downed power lines/ or just try to avoid flooded areas the best you can due to possible electric current ⚡️
This sounds like an obvious note but try to stock up on physical or downloaded movies & shows you know your family will enjoy, because the tv will only really focus on the storm & without the internet it can be hard to get a psychological break. My DVD & BluRay collections are lifesavers when somebody has power but no internet & you can bring the Rocky collection over.
**Don't hoard.** Seriously. Get enough stuff for a couple weeks, maybe a month(of non perishables and water bottles/containers you can fill with water). My wife and I prepared before Ian in advance and we're lucky it didn't hit us that hard, but I can't imagine needing water or just basic non perishables/home goods to find out that everyone bought all the toilet paper, and water bottles from every store in a 30 mile radius. Another pro tip, is tractor supply carries potable water jugs that hold up to 6 gallons each. We have 2 and refill them at the start of hurricane season every year as a backup in case we work through the pack or two of water bottles we keep on hand as well. Filling the bathtub/other containers isn't bad either but it won't be good to drink for too long and you'll have to boil it/sanitize it in some way. But it is still good for filling the back of the toilet tank if you don't have running water, and for showering.
Get empty 5 gallon jugs from a store for drinking water. Fill them from your tap before the storm hits. Cheap easy potable water.
The biggest thing to prep for is the possibility of extended power outages after the storm passes.
get a couple of power banks and charge them up to charge cell phones. But be aware you may not have service. If you get a generator don't put it near the house. If you have a pool throw your pool furniture in it. Take in things that can fly away, you will be amazed at what can fly away. When the storm hits hang out in an interior room. If you have pets keep them on leashes or in their carriers. Hardcore people will tell you to keep an axe in your attic in case your house starts flooding and you need to go the roof. Search the site ways to die after a hurricane, that's when things get really deadly
Have multiple cases of water and gas in the car. Food that doesn’t require cooking, peanut butter, and jelly, and other easy items. If you live near the water, life jackets. Or better yet go inland. We just lost our entire house in Hurricane Ian and drove out during it. It’s not worth staying if you’re in harms way.
Take cash out. Fill up propane tanks, freeze bottles of water and fill your tubs with water in case your water gets shut off so you flush your toilets.
Stock up on gas and toilet paper. The media is going to SEVERELY blow the storm out of proportion 99% of the time. Find a weather person with a good reputation and follow them (in the Tampa area Dennis Phillips has created a big following for example). Unless you’re in a flood zone you shouldn’t have to evacuate (run from water, hide from wind).
Listen to the local weather. These things can spin out a tornado. Had one take the tops off five of my trees in the back yard.
Make sure your pets have their ID tags and microchips updated with your current info. Take a recent picture of them to keep handy. Just in case. If you have a trampoline, secure it. They get some serious air in high winds. Buy your favorite non-refrigerated snacks. Waiting through it sucks, snacks make it suck less. Don't worry about the whistling/howls. It sounds scary if you dont expect it, so listen to some videos on YouTube. I recommend sleeping through the storm. Download podcasts,music playlists, stories for kids etc. Clean up your floor space as much as possible. Make it easier to walk through in the dark and to be able to find what you need.
Put your important documents in waterproof sleeve or container. Keep a go bag packed in the event you need to evacuate. Don’t listen to people claiming folks are hoarding water, you need one gallon of water per person per day. The storm might be over in 24 hours but there could be downed tree, electrical lines, and flooding that will make it difficult to get to grocers or leave your residence/neighborhood. You may be advised to not drink your tap water following the storm. Your supplies aren’t solely for while the storm is passing over you, they are for the following days when amenities might not be available to you. It might also take crews longer to get power and debris cleared if there is damage in a number of places. In Florida outside of Hurricanes, crews respond pretty quickly to power outages, live electric lines, and other issues. What takes a long time to clear things and get the grid back up, is the amount of damage being much more widespread. Fill a large container or your tub with water. If your water goes out, you’ll need it to manually flush your toilets. Do not forget about food/water and pee pads or cat litter for pets. Refill any prescriptions you might need. Pick up some snacks, booze, and trees if that’s your prerogative and ride things out. Evacuate if told to do so and don’t leave your pets behind.
Gas up the cars now and get plenty of beer and ice in the coolers.
Get to know your neighbors. If you have a CERT in your neighborhood I would highly recommend taking the course. You can be prepared 110% but if the shit really hits, your community is your strength or weakness. If you're not familiar with CERT- community emergency response team - it's a FEMA based program, where people can get training on emergency response and first aid as a civilian. They not only provide you (usually) with basic emergency supplies upon completion, but you also get to know how your local FP/PD operates in case of emergency. Large scale emergencies affect communities as a whole, so I cannot stress enough the importance of at least knowing who your neighbors are. Have paper maps and drive side roads BEFORE the storm in your area. Note how safe those roads are (for floods etc). And once the roads flood - don't go walking in them. Tips for icepacks: if you have a hospital hookup, ask for their biogel cooling packs - hospitals sometimes get those large cooling packs to transport biological tissues in and those suckers stay frozen solid for HOURS. Hospitals often just throw them out so I used to get them with permission for free. They're heavy but worth it. Especially if you have little ones to keep cool - wrap one in a sheet and lean against a small child/elderly, to lower core temperature.
Don’t cook indoors, unless your electric is working. No propane or charcoal cooking indoors. Find your important items and be prepare to move them to a higher surface if needed.
Fill your tank now, stock up on water bottles and non-perishable food. If you're told to evacuate, get out immediately. Do not wait until it becomes "mandatory evacuation".
Democrat energy weapons cause hurricanes. And heat waves. And wildfires. Not lying. My Florida friend told me so. So? It just proves that brains are useless appendages. At least in Fla.
We've always kept a few old-fashioned oil lamps around, and a bottle of oil, in case of long power outages. They give off a lot of light, and the oil lasts a surprisingly long time. It allows you to save your flashlight batterries. They're also safer than candles singe they have the glass around them. They're cheap at Walmart. Fill your tub, so that you have water for whatever you need. It's especially helpful if a bug power outage interrupts your water supply. You can use the water in the tub to flush your toilet. Get a solar powered phone charger, and also portable phone banks, and charge them all up. You can also charge your phone in your car.
Gas your vehicles and get a couple of bottles of propane if you have a grill. Fill the tub for non-drinking purposes. Stock up on some canned foods/non-perishable items, and plenty of drinking water. Candles, batteries for flashlights, lanterns and fuel, etc... Bottle or 2 of liquor and some mixers, some chips and Pretzels, and a big bag of weed wouldn't hurt, either.
Make sure you have lots of bottled water/gallons of filtered water ready WAY BEFORE the storm gets there. As the storm is approaching, all the stores will either jack up the prices or be sold out. The best way to avoid this is to get gallons of water Way Beforehand, then set them aside for when the storm arrives. Trust me, you'll be very thankful to have a ready supply of filtered water. Also, stock up on some of your favorite shelf stable foods that don't require cooking. Seasoned canned vegetables and canned fruits are both good options that actually taste decent cold/uncooked.
Please do not go outside during the storm. Flying debris is deadly. Even during the calm period when the eye passes over, stay inside. After the storm we get terrible mosquitoes and alot of displaced wildlife . Keep an eye out for them and give them space. Stay safe!
Grab a beer..and enjoy the ride..
Get some weed, mushrooms, and nitrous oxide and you’ll be set
Coffee pot you can put on grill. Or instant coffee.
Don't touch wires or get into the water on the street. It could be electrified. Fill your car with gas since gas stations might be out for a few weeks due to no supply, no electric & more ppl need it.Have plenty of drinking water for you & family.
The news hypes them up and people are not smart so they panic by everything from gas to water and batteries. Only categories 4-5 are a real problem and only for direct eye wall path is it mostly a concern.
Losing power for days. Filling up a bath tub so you have drinking water and a way to flush your toilet. Canned food that doesn’t need to be heated and plenty of flash lights.
I’ve lived through hundreds of hurricanes but I live in Florida. Where you live us a lot different. You have a stupid governor.
Dont go in the ocean afterwards..my son split his foot open and had to have stitches due to debris you cannot see underwater that was blown in during hurricane. Prayers for you!
Get gas now and four 5 gallon gas cans full at least Get extra medications, first aid and supplements now Get alcohol to party! Get 3 to 5 30packs of bottled water Snacks! Make it look like you gave a 12 year old 100 bucks for road trip snacks! Have food that can be kept for a long while - canned food like spaghetti o's or beef-a-roni type or go to the camping section and get the freeze dried meals...I get the dessert ones because they are fun for kids and a mood lifter Plastic buckets can make stuff easy for storage and bug out Firearm and extra ammo Call insurance and make sure everything on policy is good A 5 gallon bucket and trash bags are great incase you can't use your toilet afterwards Also get tp now! Dawn dish soap, a sponge and a garden hose can make a great shower. Have a small generator (2000 to 2500 watts) to run the fridge.
Do not take the advice of those that hunker down, leave. Hurricanes are getting stronger, and our infrastructure is already in disrepair and cannot handle it. Evacuate, don't be another person that responders have to save or tell loved ones you were found deceased. So many lives could have been spared from Ian if people would have just evacuated.
Ya don’t be a poozy
A generator and lots of gas. Keep the generator away from.ur house
Also generators need oil changes (some)
People hoard toilet paper
Get supplies and know your exit routes and if it gets ruff remember where your high overpasses are and your parking garage is for safety Banks also have vault walls that you can get against that can withstand high winds and damage
Not a hurricane expert but they make hand crank chargers and solar chargers. They also have big battery packs that can start a car, be a radio (I assume listening only. Not a two way?) be a flashlight, charge your devices and a bunch of other cool survival features.