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-   -   Hurricanes Oh My! (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/hurricanes-oh-my-466361/)

Scarlett Aug 11th, 2004 11:47 AM

Hurricanes Oh My!
 
I should have realized when the super market was so busy that something was afoot!
On the car radio I heard that the Governor had declared a State of Emergency for all of Florida because we have not One but Two! hurricanes bearing down on us.
We have groceries and food and books, Pup has plenty of Pigs Ears, so I think we will be fine.
What do you do when a Hurricane, Blizzard, Big Storm is forecast for your town?
Do you worry? Get excited? Are you prepared ahead of time or do you rush out to the stores?
Stay safe, all my friends here and on the islands!!

iceeu2 Aug 11th, 2004 11:50 AM

You evacuate when they tell you!

Just where are Bonnie and Charley headed?

GoTravel, are either of them headed your way?

seetheworld Aug 11th, 2004 11:52 AM

Quick, run, hurry, GET milk! This is what WE do, especially during the winter season because 'they' (and you know who you are) are ALWAYS predicting the "big one" :)

Seriously, hope things go well in your neck of the woods.

tpatricco Aug 11th, 2004 11:55 AM

What to do? STORM PARTY!!

Prepare your basic essentials. Water, flashlight, candles & matches & some snacks. Make sure there's gas for the generator in case the power goes out. Make sure the outdoor furniture is safe in the garage!

I thought of you Scarlett & the rest of the Fodorites in FL as soon as I heard the predicted track of the storms. Sounds right now like they won't be extremely severe, just alot of rain & some wind. Batten down the hatches, and stay dry! Trish

Anonymous Aug 11th, 2004 11:58 AM

I wash my hair and do laundry, cuz if we lose electricity that's what I'll miss.

Here in Boston, our supermarkets are always mobbed if a storm is predicted; bread and milk shelves are cleaned out. Are there really that many people who don't have a few days' worth of food in the house? Even after the huge storm of 1978, when the roads were officially closed and highways and business shut down for a week, the supermarkets were open in a couple of days.

Anonymous Aug 11th, 2004 12:00 PM

Oops, hit "post" too soon,

My niece in FL keeps a week's worth of food & bottled water in her garage, calls it the hurricane stash, but sometimes the food expires before she remembers to use it up and replace it with fresh.

Good luck to everyone down there, we'll be thinking of you.

Judyrem Aug 11th, 2004 12:01 PM

Scarlett: I just did a grocery run here in the FT. Myers area. It was a steady stream of folks, nothing outragoeus IMO...not as bad a snowstorms up north. We are supposed to be very close to Charlies's (he is already a Cat 1)landing, so my DH is running around putting all our outside stuff in the garage. We are heading over to FLL tomorrow to deliver some stuff for our new house. We are debating on whether or not to stay an extra night there. Scarlett, I think you will get both,,,Bonnie first, then Charlie...Bonnie will miss us, thank God. Hope you are ok there....I hope we ALL are! Stay safe Floridians! Judy

Blacktie Aug 11th, 2004 12:04 PM

Hurricane/watch toward lower keys, eventually out near Daytona ... heavy rains. The ashore again in SC. The other, still a tropical storm, up the gulf toward the panhandle. Some riviera red necks are going to get wet! Funny, but Jeb must think it's an election year.

Tennischick Aug 11th, 2004 12:05 PM

In my (much) younger days when I lived in the southeast, we'd organize hurricane parties! :)

All of you in the path, stay safe!

JohnD Aug 11th, 2004 12:08 PM

((8))<b>Don't</b> bring back my bonnie :-&quot;to me((8))

<font color="blue">http://www.theteachersguide.com/Songs/my_bonnie_lies_over_the_oceanmy_.htm</font>

amatters Aug 11th, 2004 12:11 PM

In Pa we have gotten used to the blizzards, so instead of buying milk and bread like the rest of the Pa Dutchies, i go for wine, cheese, and other yummy items. Theres nothing better to do during a blizzard then snuggle up to the one you love and have a glass of Chalbis

Vicky Aug 11th, 2004 12:11 PM

Hello from Sarasota, FL. I've been here for 21 years, no hurricanes hit, thank God. Some close ones but it always turned. I believe Sarasota has' protection' kind of like Sedona, AZ - the natural beauty and concentration of arts means the place is at a higher vibration. Anyway, am hoping my luck holds a few more months cause I'm selling the house and moving. I dont' believe in sending out MORE negative vibrations with fear and panic, so I stay optimistic but minimally prepare casue I've found when you do have a back up plan, you usually don't need it. But at work, we're all checking the internet weather sites for the updates. We're calling them bonnie and Clyde! Turn turn and go out to sea!!

AHaugeto Aug 11th, 2004 12:17 PM

Aaargh. Aargh. Aaargh.
Scarlett, you asked what do we do for hurricanes?

I am Always. Scheduled. To Fly. Somewhere.

This time, I am due to take not one but TWO BLOODY TURBOPROPS from Providence thru Philly and finally to Salisbury, Maryland where I was hoping to hang out at the beach in OC with my family for some much needed R&amp;R.

And now I suspect it will rain all weekend too. If I even get there with the eight million flight delays and what is sure to be a queasy ride.

I swear, everytime they say one is coming up the east coast it is because I booked plane tix! To all those fodorites in Flaarda, Georgia, on up to Boston, please accept my apologies. The next time I fly during hurricane season I will warn all ya'll to stock up on milk and TP...

Oh well. Seriously, though - Good luck down there! I hope all of you stay safe and sound.

hibiscushouse Aug 11th, 2004 12:20 PM

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the Fl. Keys, MM 72 (below Islamorada) and Key West.
We've been evacuated for lesser storms, so I went ahead and did my shopping and took it straight over to my brother's house on the mainland. Saves the trouble later.
Brought in the furniture at the condo, will secure the boat at the house, empty the porch of stuff, lock up and leave if they tell us to. Hope for the best.
We were evacuated during hurricane Elena back in 1985. Hurricane sat off the coast for 3 days, never making a direct hit. They kept us off the beach for an additional two days b/c of the damage. Was a long 5 days away from home.

Austin Aug 11th, 2004 12:20 PM

Definitely make sure you have plenty of wine, cheese and...hmmm. Can't think of anything else. Oh, maybe a baguette or two or three. :)

placeu2 Aug 11th, 2004 12:35 PM

Why is it that people immediately think of Milk in these situations? I read that there is no milk left in stores when people across the nation are shut in for whatever reason. Is milk that valuable to that many people? Yes I know about children but come on now.

By the way, I have family members that have dairy farms so I am all for bigger sales but I stil don't get it.

Just curious.

seetheworld Aug 11th, 2004 12:41 PM

Paceu2, didn't ya know...
&quot;milk, it does a body good!&quot;

Ya need it in your coffee, for making hot cocoa, cereal, for baking when there is nothing else to do. It also has an expiration date - so if your milk is on the 'verge', you must run and get that fresh milk! And like you said, kids, for the most part, drink lots and lots of it (mine included)

Brian_in_Charlotte Aug 11th, 2004 12:42 PM

There's always those idiotic reporters live at the checkout lines of the supermarket reporting that the biggest sellers are bread, milk and eggs. Of course, if you look closely at the carts behind him, they're always full of beer.

SuzieQ Aug 11th, 2004 12:46 PM

I understand the evacutation in the Keys is only for people who are not year round residents and for the visitors there.

GoTravel Aug 11th, 2004 12:46 PM

Fill the bathtub up with water so you can flush the toliet in case they turn the water off.

Flashlights and batteries. We use candles but you could burn your house down and emergency response will not send a crew to your house.

Battery operated radio. I cannot stress this enough. In 1989 I was in Myrtle Beach for Hurricane Hugo. Up until 9PM we had power and everyone was saying we were going to get a direct hit from Hugo. After we lost power, Hugo made a sharp left and made landfall at McClennanville. We did not have contact with the outside world for about three days. No power or cable.

Lots of nonperishables like peanut butter and jelly, beeforoni, etc.

Booze. Hopefully, the storm will head out to sea and all you will get is a snow day. Since we live in the south, we don't get snow so no snow days. Everything shuts down and we call them snow days.

On the serious side. Take the evacuations seriously. I've been stuck in one hurricane and never again. I'll stay for a Category One but I'm the heck out of dodge anything closer.

We live on the beach and I've seen the damage hurricanes can do. The biggest myth is that people inland are okay. Not true. The tornados and flooding are the worst part.

If you are under a mandatory evacuation, head out. If you stay you chance being arrested for endangering the life of a civil servant.

I haven't checked the latest but I'm sure we'll get messy weather from Bonnie.

seetheworld Aug 11th, 2004 12:47 PM

It's sort of like the snow shovels during a snow storm - I envision garages filled with multiple shovels - are the same people going out to buy them each and every storm? :)

Suzie Aug 11th, 2004 12:47 PM

Not much is ever forcast for the central valley area. I live on a hill and all the water flows away from me so even when part of the town flooded enough for Pres Clinton to visit, we were high and dry. My personal big fear is earthquakes, having been in many big ones. Unfortunately we can't really plan for those.

Do those reporters doing live shots ever actually go to the grocery store? Every cart has milk, eggs, water etc every day of the week rain or shine! LOL ;)

dcespedes Aug 11th, 2004 12:50 PM

Scarlett...um....I have a cat so I need to know what is a pigs ear? :@) Is it what the name implies?!? &gt;) Are they toys...chewies...? Curious....

Please be safe and take necessary precautions...my in-laws lost their home during Andrew :-( You are in my thoughts :-) Now, about that ear...

GoTravel Aug 11th, 2004 12:51 PM

SuzieQ, the evacuations are usually voluntary or mandatory and have nothing to do with residents. In voluntary evacuations vacationers may be advised to leave. Under mandatory evacuations, EVERYONE must leave.

When an area is under a Hurricane Watch it means that a hurricane may hit and conditions are favorable for the storm. Under a Hurricane Warning, it means it will most likely hit within a certain amount of hours.

dcespedes Aug 11th, 2004 12:52 PM

Icon issues!!! Where did the little green man come from, I don't know!

Mary2Go Aug 11th, 2004 12:55 PM

Here in So Calif when they tell us the big one is coming I get out my floaties so when we fall into the ocean I will be saved!

GoTravel Aug 11th, 2004 12:56 PM

Susie, I stand corrected. The evacuation for the keys is mandatory for non residents and visitors.

It must be to get everyone off US1 so the residents can get out.

Scarlett Aug 11th, 2004 12:57 PM

This is just Fabulous!! Thank you all for so much great information!
I know snow...lotsa snow...but that always finds me snuggled with a pup or a husband or both in front of a nice fire.
HERE, I will sit in front of all those big glass windows and doors and watch the tops of those pine trees :(
Luckily, we drink bottled water so there is plenty, Thanks GT for the bathtub full of water suggestion.
I have one of those huge garden tubs, we can all climb in and have a candle lit bubble bath too..should make the time go more pleasantly :D
I am also very happy to see that Peanut Butter is Emergency food and that it is OK for me to eat it..How do PB&amp;J sandiches go with Pinot Noir?
Milk! Important in our house, I cannot drink coffee without it, I am cranky without coffee, you can imagine being stuck in a house in a storm with a cranky coffeeless Scarlett...(sort of in the general catagory of Worst Nightmares)
I think those reporters are photographed in one other spot, aside from the grocery store line.
Standing out in the storm, slicker hood over head, yelling into the microphone as huge waves break behind them. :)
I will keep an eye on the water though, big waves and we might head for Georgia, anyone in NYC want a nice couple with a pup for a week or so?
Bighugs everybody ((L))
ps-
does anyone really like to be called a Riviera Redneck ? :o

FainaAgain Aug 11th, 2004 12:57 PM

And nobody mentioned candles? Wine and candles, what can be more romantic? Use the situation!

And make sure you have everything GoTravel mentioned in the 1st post.

SuzieQ Aug 11th, 2004 01:00 PM

In this statement is seems to say it is mandatory for the non residents to leave the Keys. I understand what you are saying Go Travel but I think they have to think of the road traffic if they were to evacuate everyone at once.

Scarlett Aug 11th, 2004 01:00 PM

Faina, I printed this thread with lists! I will be prepared for anything!!

Pigs ears...yes, sigh, they are exactly that. Smoked .. they are Caviar to a Pup.
Cats are more refined, they like real Caviar :D

GoTravel Aug 11th, 2004 01:00 PM

I forgot to say get plenty of ice.

If you have a lot of expensive stuff in your freezer, buy duct tape and insulate your freezer in case you lose power.

Fill the other bathtub up with ice.

SuzieQ Aug 11th, 2004 01:01 PM

I forgot to post the link

http://fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=1304


seetheworld Aug 11th, 2004 01:02 PM

Be careful...wine, cheese, candles... during the blackout of '77 that led to a baby boom!!

FainaAgain Aug 11th, 2004 01:02 PM

Scarlett, take this list to the supermarket and start shopping, LOL

razzledazzle Aug 11th, 2004 01:04 PM

Well, the upside might be that
you get a few days notice!

Here in Earthquake-ville you just
never know...SHAZAM and it's shakin'!!!
During the '89 quake I was on the 32nd floor of a building in SF and it gives a whole new meaning to the idea of &quot;swing dance&quot;...had I any notice I fer sure would have been elsewhere!

As Anonymous said, I was certainly glad to have washed my hair that morning-I didn't have power for 6 days
(had to relocate).But, there were certainly folks worse off than me.

So, as there is no point to rushing
out for milk after a major rumbling event, (I have had more than one moment of noting tiny tremblors while in the market purchasing the milk),
and we most likely would not have power
to keep it cold anyway, I would be better served to have fresh water and
old wine.
Yep, we do have a stocked Earthquake locker,'cause we just never know.

You all stay safe and if &quot;they&quot; say
go, GO!
R5

stjohnbound Aug 11th, 2004 01:07 PM

Just picked up all the lawn furniture, etc. and raised the boat up as high as it'll go on the lift. Scarlett, trust me, PB&amp;J goes great with Pinot Noir! In fact, everything goes great with wine during a storm. On a more serious note, you may want to invest in storm shutters for those big picture windows. We have the same here and believe me, those shutters make you feel much safer, especially with those pine trees swaying all around you (I have those too).

Scarlett Aug 11th, 2004 01:08 PM

I think I have been accused of posting
DIRE WARNINGS!! :o
LOL

GoTravel Aug 11th, 2004 01:09 PM

Scarlett, Pinot Noir and Peanut butter would be too rich.

Funions! Now there's a food for a good bottle of vino!

Do you have good board games? Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, cards, Pictionary, scategories, etc.

You must have a selection of board games.

Squirt cheese and cheeze-its are good food. If you cannot find cheeze-its, Guac flavored Doretos.

While I still smoked cigarettes, one time I ran out. It was ugly.

Blacktie Aug 11th, 2004 01:09 PM

lol, sure they love it! And regrets, but that's an r, r and n ... reflecting small cap status.


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