How to prepare for a hurricane…

Hurricane Sandy is bearing down as I type. The lights are flickering. I feel butterflies in my stomach, half-afraid of the lights going out. Half wishing they just WOULD so we can get it over with, this waiting-for-the power-to-go-out business!

We spent most of the weekend preparing for the storm (along with holding an ill-timed and poorly attended tag/yard/garage sale! haha!).

So how did we prep for our second “100-year-storm” in two years time?

18 Ways to Prep for a Hurricane!

1. Set out flashlights and lanterns at strategic points around the house. You don’t want to fumble around in the dark for these items!
2. Put matches and lighters near stove/candles.
3. Fill all bottles we could find with water (or buy water – we filter our own so it was cheaper this way, although more time consuming).
4. Charge all electronic devices. Oh, and charge your little battery powered vacuums too!
5. Clean all bathrooms, run vacuum.
6. Wash all dishes.
7. Wash all the laundry in the house, including bedding – hey, last year we were without power for 8 days! I want clean laundry!
8. Remove all loose items from yard/patio. Strap down larger items like grill to the fence.
9. Fill up cars with gasoline.
10. Put emergency kits within easy access.
11. Have cash on hand in case ATMs don’t work.
12. Fill up 5 gallon buckets with water for washing or flushing toilets. (We actually have city water so we should have water even if power goes out).
13. Make a couple pots of coffee in carafes for later (or remember to buy instant).
14. Turn freezers down to lowest / coldest settings. Be sure they are FULL – a full freezer takes longer to defrost than a half-empty one. If you have to, just fill up containers with water and put in freezer to free and take up that space!
15. Have toddler-friendly snacks on hand!
16. Place flashlight in bathroom, along with wet wipes for cleaning things if we have no water/power.
17. Wash all cloth diapers. Buy disposables OR set up a station to handwash your cloth diapers (flats are preferable for this!).
18. Get the board games ready for the long haul! Staying entertained will make the time go faster!

Well, I hope we’re ready! The wind’s howling – I’d better go!

What else do you do to prepare for bad weather situations?