Posted on 07/21/2005 7:53:28 PM PDT by The Other Harry
I recently posted up a message about first-aid kits and received many useful responses.
Now, let me ask about hurricane kits. What with Emily and all, I have been thinking about these also. We don’t get many ‘canes where I live (central VA), but we do get a few. Not too many years ago there was water up in the streets not far from me.
I would think that the basic thing would be pre-cut and numbered plywood, or some other form of shuttering for the windows. This would need to be done in advance, as by the time the hurricane is forecast, there won’t be any plywood at the stores.
A nice way to affix it would also be good. Nails will work, but something else would be better. I’m not sure what that is.
I have also read that cleaning all debris away from the drains is good. That presumably includes the gutters.
What else?
As for shuttering the windows, you can get pre-cut plywood and drill it into the house instead of nailing it. Also, there are companies that make some sort of clip that supposedly keeps the wood on during hurricanes, but I've never used it.
Is tomorrow's question "Earthquake kits"?
Or.... nuclear kits?
I remember the drills from my childhood. You don't need a survival kit after a nuclear blast.
Lots of bottled drinking water, canned food rations with portable cooking stove (don't use it inside), a gun to fend off the looters (but that's just me), portable radio, flashlights, blanket and pillow, spare batteries, extra change of clothes. Of course I doubt you have much to worry about in VA.
I'm originally from central Virginia, and I think the chance of needing to put plywood over your windows practically zero. You might want to just prepare for an extended power outage or flooding.
Even Camille, which went right through us, didn't cause any broken windows that I remember.
> Is tomorrow's question "Earthquake kits"?
You obviously think that's a joke.
I lived through the big earthquake back in California in around 1988. It was like a freight train running thru the middle of the house. No exaggeration.
I have no idea what kind of a kit you would put together for that.
We were without electricity for days. We cooked with charcoal and used a keroscene latern for light. It was no big deal, but it was.
Do not NOT think about these things.
Adding...
The stores were all closed. You couldn't get anything that you didn't already have. No gas, no nothing.
Do not NOT think about these things.
The biggest threat where I currently live is tornados. Due to the nature of that threat, you either take a direct hit, or you'll be fine in an hour or so. Last time I had to crawl under something sturdy, I never lost power, cable, or internet. Some folks like a battery powered radio, but the community wide loudspeakers are adequate.
If you are truly concerned, start here: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm
and then go here:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
Securing plywood? Down here, we use double-headed nails- the kind you use in concrete formwork. The first head prevents driving it too deep to pull easily, the second allows you to extract it with a claw hammer.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.