Coastal Commentaries

I wrote this last year on my old blog. As the information is good, I thought I’d bring it back for an encore (I will be doing a lot of that over the next few weeks.)

When I first moved here at the end of June last year, hurricane season was already upon us. Everyone cautioned me to stock up on supplies so I would be ready, just in case.

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The original end date has changed twice over the last several years. First, it was Oct 30, then it changed to Nov 15 and now it’s at Nov 30.

Scotty the downstairs neighbor says that in the 14 years he’s lived here, there have been five hurricanes. After looking it up for myself, since 1995, there have been six storms, not all of them hurricanes, and not all of them direct hits.

The Hurricane City website states that this area gets brushed or hit roughly every 4.15 years and the average years between a direct hit is 12.45 years. Statistically, the next hit for this area should be at the end of the 2009 season. (We got slammed pretty hard last year by Tropical Storm Fay.)

Scotty claims never to have evacuated. However, in my county, Brevard, when living on a barrier island, evacuation is mandatory. And quite frankly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

My mama didn’t raise no fool either, so I have been slowly stocking up on suggested hurricane kit items. Since it’s just my son and I, our list is a tiny bit shorter.

Water- 1 gallon a day per person for 3-7 days.

Food- at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, snack foods, non-electric can opener
cooking tools / fuel, paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight re-sealable plastic bag…insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Books and games

For others who have infants, elderly family members, make sure you have what they will need such as diapers, formula, speciality foods (such as Ensure or Boost), medications, etc.

For pets, owners need to have proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash.

Wal Mart sells bottled water either by the gallon (around 84 cents,) the 2.5 gallon (around $3,) and the big 7 gallon plastic carboy ($7 for the first fill up including the bottle, $1 for refills.)

When I was a kid, deviled ham came only in deviled ham. Now they offer deviled chicken and deviled beef. The same with Spam, it comes in turkey, with cheese, with bacon, hickory smoked, lite, and a few others. There’s also the tried and try Vienna Sausages, which also now come in a variety of flavors.

For travelers planning a vacation to a historically active hurricane destination, you should also keep hurricane supplies on hand. You might want to consider travel insurance as well. Places such as InsureMyTrip.com and Priceline.com offer travel insurance, so in the event of a hurricane canceling or ruining your trip, you can recoup a large portion of your hard-earned money.

Whether you live on a barrier island, like me, or you’re simply planning a trip to one, you can’t go wrong with the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared. I know I will be.