Hurricane Preparation...

As you should all know by know I live on Long Island and they are predicting that Hurricane Irene is going to head this way between Saturday and Sunday. Because of this Erin and I headed to the store earlier to pick up a few cases of water, candles, flashlights and other various items just in case -- Better safe than sorry!

I really hope it ends up swinging into the Atlantic and we bought everything we did for no reason because I have honestly never had to deal with a hurricane -- Last time a hurricane actually really hit Long Island was Gloria in 1985 and I was only six months old. So the idea of Irene heading up towards us and having to deal with power outages and such is not my idea of a fun weekend. Wasn't the earthquake enough? Why must we get an earthquake and a hurricane in the span of a week. I'll keep you up-to-date on everything.

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When A Hurricane Threatens
(via: The Weather Channel)

No Later Than When A Watch Is Issued:

• Fill vehicles with gas.
• Get extra cash.
• Fill prescriptions.
• For mobile homes, secure tie-downs and prepare to evacuate when ordered.
• Bring in loose objects from outside.
• Prepare to secure all windows with shutters or plywood.

No Later Than When A Warning Is Issued:

• Secure all windows with shutters or plywood.
• Place valuables and important papers in a waterproof container and store on highest floor of home.

If You Are Told To Evacuate:

• Follow all instructions from local officials, and leave immediately when told to do so.
• Bring emergency supplies listed above.
• Bring copies of important papers such as insurance policies and list and photos of your home’s contents.
• Bring blankets, sleeping bags, books, and games.
• Unplug appliances, turn off electricity and main water valve.
• Lock windows and doors of your home.
• Go!

If You Are Not Told To Evacuate:

• Stay at home! Leave the roads available for those who must evacuate.
• Clean bathtub with bleach, fill with water for washing and flushing (Not drinking).
• Set fridge to maximum cold and keep closed.
• Turn off utilities if told to do so by local officials

During A Hurricane:

• Go to an interior room on the lowest level of the structure in which you’re taking shelter.
• Stay away from windows and doors, even though they’re covered with shutters or plywood.
• During extremely strong winds, lie under something sturdy such as a stairwell or large piece of furniture.
• Do not go outside, not even during passage of the eye. If the eye passes directly over you, the winds could become very weak, but only for a very short period. It will not be long before hurricane-force wind resume, blowing from the opposite direction as before the eye arrived.

After A Hurricane:

• Help might not come for up to a few days, and power could be out for days or even weeks.
• Avoid driving on roads covered by water and/or debris. It is often difficult to determine the depth of water covering a road. Turn around, don’t drown.
• Avoid downed power lines. Stay away from objects that are touching a downed power line, such as a fence or tree.
• Do not touch anything electrical if you are wet. Stay out of water that could be touching anything electrical, such as in a basement with electrical appliances, or in flooded areas outside where there could be downed power lines.
• Only use a generator in an outdoor, well-ventilated area, and closely follow manufacturer’s instructions. Many people have died in the aftermath of a hurricane from inhalation of poorly ventilated carbon monoxide from a generator.
• Use flashlights instead of candles for light. Candles pose a serious fire hazard.