Most of us are probably mostly ready. This sort of thing pops up a few times a year, so it all should be fairly routine. Batteries, flashlights, water, battery or crank radio, first aid kit, food for both us and pets, medications… you know, all the things we may need to survive for a couple days.
We probably have most of these things, already. And they likely even started off in the same place. And drifted who knows where. So now would be a good time to make sure you can find these things and can easily lay hands on them. Or replace them while you can.
I noticed a few people who seemed to be stocking up on food over the weekend. This can be good or bad, depending on the item. There were some who seemed to be stocking up on easy to prepare frozen meals. Seems ideal. Until the power goes out and the method to store these types of things, (like a freezer) and a method to cook them (like a microwave or oven) goes away. At that point, a full freezer might not seem like such a good idea. Unless you have also stocked up on a generator.
And if you do have a generator, don’t forget the fuel.
But it’s the summer things that we also have to think about at this time of year. All the various toys and lawn furniture. You just never know. And wind can do funny things.
Last year, during Dorian, I watched as a couple large sections of a nearby dock lifted up into the air and flipped over in the wind. Pretty impressive. Yet a few hundred feet up the shore of the lake, another person had left their beach umbrella not only on the beach, but fully deployed… like wide open. The umbrella never moved. The direction of the wind left some things untouched and played havoc with others.
You never know what might happen. But when the wind picks up you and your little dog and deposits you in a strange country, it’s probably too late.
So put your stuff away or get it tied down. And make sure you have what you need on hand, just in case. Never hurts to be ready.
