A few days ago, I was not even aware that we a storm brewing. It is not that I do not watch television at all; I just prefer to not watch the news. When my son went to Iraq in 2006, I made it a habit to not watch what was going on, as it did nothing but keep my nerves on edge. While he came home, it has still left me with anxiety from watching the news reports.
When I did find out that Hurricane Irene was on its way to Maine, I really didn’t think too much about what I would have to do. Living in this part of the United States, we get a lot of bad weather that leaves us without power. Just last winter, we went almost three days without power. I am just thankful that the weather is warmer and I will not have to go out to start the car to get warm.
As a Mainer, I have learned how to prepare for an emergency in bad weather. If you have not started preparing for Irene, now is the time to do so. The following are just a few things that you will need to do:
Cell Phone
Make sure you have minutes on your cell phone and that is all charged up and ready to go. If you do not have a car charger, you may want to invest in one, as you will more than likely not have power in your house to recharge it.
If you do not have a cell phone, at least go buy a cheap one. You can get them for under $20 and that is a small price to pay if you needed the phone for an emergency.
Water
It is very important that you stock up on enough water for at least three days for each member of your household. The one thing you do not want to forget is to store enough water to flush your toilet. It can make for a very long three days when you can not flush.
Food
Sandwiches. Sandwiches and more sandwiches. This is what most people plan on when there is no power. What you may not realize is this is your time to be creative. Instead of eating peanut butter or Spam sandwiches, get out your grill. You do not want to be standing outside in 80 mph winds, but you can put it in your garage or shed. Just do not leave it unattended and make sure that it is safe before you start it.
Batteries = Light
Yes, you need a good supply of candles if you are going to be without power for a few days, but it is safer to go with camping lanterns. These can be purchased cheaply and will simply need a battery replacement every so often. If you do not have these yet, Irene is a good reason to go get them.
When buying batteries, do not forget to get some in the right size for your radio. This is very important and every Mainer knows that this is probably going to be their only form of news when the storm hits.
Clear the Path
You also do not want to give Irene any ammunition when she strikes. Make sure everything outside your home is either put away in the garage or make sure it is tied down. While the birds may notice that their birdfeeder is gone, believe me, when the storm hits, they are not going to care anymore. By taking everything down, you can prevent unwanted entrances through your windows.
Window Care
Do you need to cover all of your windows in plywood? It depends on what you have for windows. Personally, I love to look out at the storm, but when it gets really bad and the wind is gusting, forget about looking. If the windows are not covered up with plywood, be sure that you stay clear of them, just in case.
These are just a few things that a Mainer has to consider when bad weather happens. While you may want to go jump in your car with your camera, think twice. A downed tree could take out power lines and you could find that it was your last view. The thing to remember is that it is much better to ride out the storm in your home. Use this time to catch up on your reading or another hobby. Whatever you do, be safe.