[Prep] POST- Jeanne, Ivan, Frances & Charley Hurricane Prep Lessons Learned.

[A.T.Hagan]

I'd like to keep this thread specific to hurricane prep and what new lessons we've learned or maybe relearned now that we're into the recovery phase of Hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Charley.

So, what will you do for the next hurricane that you didn't do for these two?

What won't you do for the next one that you didn't do for these two?

What permanent or long-lasting changes will you make to your home, business, whatever to help you better survive the next storm?



For myself these are the following changes or new things we're going to do as we are able to afford them.

#1 - We're going to get some form of permanent storm shutter or panels for the house. I've put up plywood twice now in a month to cover my windows and would have to do it a third time were I to take it down now only to have Ivan come this way (if he does). I don't know what system we're going to go with yet, but I want something that doesn't take so long to get up. I'm thinking corrugated aluminum storm panels, but I haven't begun to research them yet. This season may be a fluke, or it may be the norm for the next however many coming years.

#2 - This probably wouldn't apply to anyone not in similar circumstances, but in the future if I'm going to be working with county emergency management I'm going to have more of my storm preps broken out, ready to go, and in place before the storm hits. Doing twelve hour shifts at the EOC then trying to catch up at home is a poor plan. Need to teach my wife more about how the generator and propane gear works so she can do some of that herself when I'm not home.

#3 - I'm going to buy one or more of those shower bag things that you can fill with warm water and hang from some handy high place. Should be easier to bathe than trying to use a bucket.

#4 - Need more battery powered area lighting. I've got flashlights aplenty. What I really want are LED lamps that I can run off batteries, turn them on then set them down on a table, dresser, or something so that I can illuminate a general area. We're getting through this whole thing without resorting to candles, oil lamps, or anything else that has to be lit with a match (and that produces heat!) but I think I can do better still.

#5 - Need to not put quite so much chlorine in the water barrels. This time around I got a bit too much in and using the water to bathe with is like bathing in an over chlorinated pool. I'm going to use the test kit from the pool to measure the chlorine content when I fill the barrels. We've got plenty of drinking water.

#6 - One way or the other I've got a half a dozen trees too near my power lines that are going to get taken down. Since my power lines are snapped at the moment I'm tempted to simply drop the things now and cut them up later after we see what Ivan is or isn't going to do.

#7 - I'm going to increase my fuel storage. I won't have used half of my fuel storage from Frances/Charley, but I could have used a lot more of it if we'd taken a more severe hit. For a couple of days gas was hard to come by here because either the stations had no power or they'd sold out.

All-in-all we've weathered this storm better than we've ever weathered one before but I think I can do better still. If I could just come up with some way to afford to buy one I've already sold my wife on the idea of getting a bigger, more durable generator that we could run the house a/c on. Wouldn't need to run it 24 hours a day, just maybe three or four hours would make sleeping at nights more tolerable and improve everyone's disposition.

Having another potential hurricane to worry about right on the heels of the one that just blew though complicates matters. The air circulation in the house would be much improved if I took the wood off the windows, but I don't want to do that if Ivan is going to come this way because I'd just have to put it all back up again! Same for clean-up. I could put several days in on cleaning up what was blown down only to have Ivan come and do it all over again so I'm just going to leave the stuff laying until he makes up his mind where he's going to go. I'm of the mind that he's going to go to Louisiana, but only God knows for sure where a hurricane is going to go so we're trying to cover all bets here.

You all who have been impacted by the storms what have y'all learned?

.....Alan.

 

[night driver]

Alan, consider a solar recharger for a couple car batteries (or deep-cycle/trolling batts), and an auto heater fan or other squirell cage type hi-volume 12-volt fan to move the air in the house through a small opening.....

And fergawdsake since the wires are down now take the trees down.....why fight the wires after they get replaced.

 

[kittyinva]

Glad you and yours came through the storms okay. We were without power for 8 days last Sept after Isabelle but fortunately our RV provided all the amenities. That was okay for the short term as we had a full gas tank. But I read somewhere (here?) about using those solar lamps (like you put in your flower beds or walkways) for lights at night. Just charge them during the day and then take them inside when it gets dark. So simple I never thought of it!

 

[Onebyone]

We didn't get the actual hurricane winds but when it came through here it caused our power to go out. We had no AC which meant no circulation of air. Couldn't open some windows as the rain would blow right in. Could have been worse if it has been in the hotter part of day.

I think I am going to see if I can find a few cheap battery operated fans.

Also since I left behind all my oil lamps and oil I need to replace those and also will add a coleman lantern run on batteries.

Also will replenish my strike anywhere matches. I only brought one of the boxes and left the others. Will build that back up to 12 boxes. I can still use the gas stovetop for cooking if I have the matches.

 

[Charlie]

A. T. Be sure to call the power company before you cut those trees. They could be working upstream from you and they could re-energize at any time. They will then be sure to call you when they plan to recharge your lines.

 

[Deena in GA]

Well, we certainly didn't have it as bad as those of you in FL, but still have several trees down (none on the house or cars, thank goodness) and lots of limbs down. The power was out for 15 hours yesterday and has flickered several times this morning.

One thing I learned was the Aladdin lamp puts out too much heat if we need to use it during the summer months. Candles too. Think I'll go get some of those solar lamps kittyinva mentioned. Also I need to rethink what I keep in the freezer as I was determined not to open them until the power came back on. Seems like everything I came up with to cook had something I needed in the freezer or refridgerator. I've even been keeping my flour in there. Of course, I should have gotten out the hand grinder and ground more. Overall, though, we came through pretty good.

The "funny" part was I had thought our power would probably go out and took appropriate measures including filling water jugs with water and sticking them in the freezer to keep it colder when the power did go out. Then I sat here late at night peeling more pears to put in the crockpot to cook overnight for pearsauce. When I had a little over two quarts of pears peeled and cut is when the power went out. So I stayed up 'til 1:30 or 2 a.m. cooking them down on the stove and processing them. Next time I will NOT start something like that without thinking it through.

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Charlie,

I have a very simple way of knowing whether the lines are energized or not. The line from the junction pole to my house is several hundred yards long and it's snapped not fifty feet from the junction pole and laying in the bushes. Everything on the downstream side is cold.

And a good thing to or I wouldn't have been able to get out of my driveway!

The power company is saying it's going to be Saturday sometime before they get around to it.

.....Alan.

 

[Deena in GA]

After taking a few minutes to think about the solar lights, I've realized they wouldn't have worked in this situation as we had a day or two of cloud cover before getting the winds and rain. Oh well! Back to the drawing board. They still might be good to have on hand for other situations. I do believe in redundancy.

 

[north runner]

Glad you're getting the improved window protectors Alan. If you weren't home and she had to put up the plywood

You're power line was snapped. Doesn't the power company wrap the wires around steel cable. We have a whole bunch of trees here. My service entrance is done that way. The other popular idea with wires is to bury them and save the trees.
We have a flood watch until ... it snows I guess

 

[Gr8DaneDood]

Alan, I'm going to look into these for next time, if I HAVE time.

http://www.plylox.com/

(From the website)
PLYLOX™ window clips are patented h-shaped carbon steel clips engineered to fit 1/2" plywood without nails, screws or adhesives. There is no longer any need to drill holes in brick in order to protect your windows from storm damage.

 

[homestead2]

Hang on to your register tape for the solar lights until you find one that emits a bright enough for your purposes, - so that you can return them.

I am on my third light so far in trying to get one that is bright enough to do any good for me. Although they all make a nice accent light for outside, so far, none have been bright enough for sitting in the middle of the table or on the counter for work or living light.

Don't try the amber or yellow colored ones, they are worse yet. The ones with the brighter, blue-ish light seemed hopeful, but they are too weak for serious light. In theory, I thought I had stumbled onto the perfect long term answer for a renewable light source. Just sit them outside for the day and bring them in at night. True, - on a cloudy or rainy day, they won't recharge significantly, but, long term, they have the potential for answering the lighting problem. Fall back on traditional oil lamps and candles when these don't recharge enough. The challenge is to find some that are bright enough for real lighting needs. Like every technology, solar lights will only keep getting better. Brighter ones will be coming along soon, I'm confident of it.
homestead2

 

[Deena in GA]

Okay, I was just rudely reminded of another must-have. BUG SPRAY Am I the only one that every ant and roach around is trying to get into my house? We've had sooo much rain that they're looking for a dry spot. I've gone through two bottles of spray just today on the outside of the house. Started noticing a few yesterday inside the house and decided I better check the outside. Yikes! There's a million of them, some carrying their eggs, trying to get in.

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Something I learned just yesterday --


I don't know for sure about other cell phone carriers, but Verizon Wireless customers need to update their cell phone software about once a month in order for their telephones to be able to communicate with ALL of Verizon's towers.

Just get on your cell phone and type in:

*228

then choose option 2.


THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU FOLKS IN FLORIDA TO DO, BECAUSE VERIZON IS PUTTING IN LARGE NUMBERS OF NEW TOWERS IN THE WAKE OF THE HURRICANES, AND THEY WILL USE THE NEW SOFTWARE. Verizon's Customer Service told me that you can be standing right below one of those new Verizon towers, and if your software is old, your phone will tell you that there is "NO Service."

 

[Dean Miller]

#4 - Need more battery powered area lighting. I've got flashlights aplenty. What I really want are LED lamps that I can run off batteries, turn them on then set them down on a table, dresser, or something so that I can illuminate a general area.

Battery powered fluorescents are more energy-efficient than LEDs for area lights. There are a few 12-volt setups that can be powered for a long time from a big gel-cell or deep cycle battery.

(TIP: Talk to a local ham or ham club about the guys who have used gel-cells for sale, cheap. These batteries come from battery backup systems for cell phone towers and other radio equipment. They're replaced routinely on a one or two year cycle and dumped -- but the batteries have lifespans of 5 years or more.)

 

[Dennis Olson]

Got juice...?

<img src="http://www.timebomb2000.com/Mbrs_pics/DJO/Genny1.jpg">

 

[closet squirrel]

Dennis, quit showing off with that thing!

 

[Dennis Olson]

Neener neener!!

 

[RC]

Charlie,

I have a very simple way of knowing whether the lines are energized or not. The line from the junction pole to my house is several hundred yards long and it's snapped not fifty feet from the junction pole and laying in the bushes. Everything on the downstream side is cold.

And a good thing to or I wouldn't have been able to get out of my driveway!

The power company is saying it's going to be Saturday sometime before they get around to it.

.....Alan.

But keep in mind that some dammed fool might be running his generator into the house wiring without turning off the main breaker! It's probably not a large risk--chances are, he would have fried something at his end by now if he had done that, but it is something to keep in mind.

 

[Doc1]

Area lighting, kero & diesel

Alan,
For area lighting, consider going the kerosene pressure lantern route. Some excellent candidates are the Petromax or the Coleman 639 and 214 models.
These lanterns produce a brilliant, white light and are significantly brighter than white gas lanterns. Additionally, they offer excellent fuel economy and will operate on diesel. The Petromax claims to operate on diesel and it does so excellently. The Coleman kero lanterns do not claim to operate on diesel, but they do!
We're no longer buying any gas/naphtha/white gas appliances or vehicles and are slowly but surely standardizing everything on kero and diesel. These fuels are much safer than gasoline and have far superior keeping qualities.

Best regards
Doc

 

[north runner]

72 tornados spawned by Francis....Are you ready for a tornado/hurricane/nuke blast shelter yet Alan?

For a personal led light to read by I like the Surefire aviator A2 - 3 leds or 1 reg bulb or all of them at once.

Reading bout the bugs looking for dry spots, I was wondering if snakes are also being affected by the rain and goig for houses?

 

[prudentwatcher]

We came through Frances pretty well on this side of Gainesville. We decided that we liked the battery lanterns we have (2) and will get 2 more when we can. With the A/C out, it got hot here. I'm going to look into getting some battery operated fans.

The biggest thing I found was that people were BORED without the usual electronic gadgets, and the kids were going crazy. The minute they could get out, people were on the road just driving around. My advice is to stay at home for several days after the storm to let everybody drive it off, restock and get the h$#))*$E out of my way (it's been a long two days ). Have plenty of things to do at home that don't require electricity==we had books, board games, craft projects and a ton of stuff we didn't even try to get to, but had on hand, like puzzles. And two days after the storm it is still hard to find milk and bread and any kind of chips/junk food and several of the grocery stores are pretty bare and some gas stations aren't full of all grades yet.

Lots of people have cell phones and with no electricity could not recharge their batteries. The cordless phones that most people have don't work when the power is out so you need a back-up old fashioned phone to get calls out.

The biggest thing you need is PATIENCE, something I sorely lack on even a good day. Everybody has trees down, lots of people still don't have power or phone, lots of people have leaks in their roofs, but folks, it's not all going to get fixed today, tomorrow or even next week. You need to be able to deal with that and a lot of folks are having trouble with being told they are not the main priority for a business at the moment. Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now, but that is what I observed.

 

[Greybeard7]

A.T.:

The start up power requirements for my new heat pump are very large, even though it would run on the 5kw generator I have after startup. A 10-14kw generator is way too expensive for me for the rare times I might need it. The 5kw is properly wired into the house, and will run ceiling fans, a couple of burners on the electric stove, lights and any entertainment devices desired. By restricting what else is on, it can run the electric water heater, the washer, or electric dryer.

The more economical solution, IMO, would be to get a window air conditioner for the bedroom. I think you could run one with a 5kw generator and cool the bedroom enough to get a decent nights rest. (Just run the window unit all out for 2 or 3 hours to get the bedroom cool, turn off the generator, lock up the house and go to bed with the bedroom door shut.)

FWIW

GB7

 

[Trailfox]

Storm prep.

I think every one could learn a lot of leassons from the past storms whether we were in it or not. About 15 years ago we had some bad storms, lot of trees down , no power for a few days. To put it mildly I was cought in a rough time. I said that that would not be the case again!! First I made a list of the things that were needed for a time without power, heat ,water,and the ability to get any thing. Next I reserched what the stores ran out of and the things that were priced out of sight. Then I went to work,first was the heat , I put in a wood heater that would heat the whole house and heat water also. I try to keep 2 years of wood on hand at all times.
Next was power, I bought a genarator ,6 deep cycle batteries, an assortment of 12v to 110 v converters along with lights , radio , cb's, and tv that will run on 12v. also batterie chargers. This way I only run the genarator 1-2 hours a day. We figure out every thing that we need power for a head of time and plan these for the time the gen. is running.
Next was water, first I had a well put in on a hill close to the house with under ground storage for 400 gal. also on the hill. If the water goes off ,which it has, all I have to do is turn 2 valves and have enough gravity flo for even a s
hower. We also have 2 burkeys to filter drinking water. We can also get water out of the well without power.
Next was cooking , I bought a two burnner propane stove and got a three burnner from an old camper and have stored about 150 gal. just for this. We can also use the wood heater if in winter . Also have a small wood cook stove with pipe that can be set out side and cook on or heat water.
next was shelter from sever weather. I built an under ground shelter with 2bunk beds, kitchen erea , bath room, pantry, comunacations center,and room for a good bit of storage. Water flows from storage on hill. also in seperate area is a genarator that can be gotten to without going out side with exhaust piped out side. Also have ventalation fan with filter system that I built to filter about anything out.
Next was extra fuel , I have plenty treated and stored with extra treatment to be added before use.
next was medical and first aid supplies. I was a medic in Vietnam and sence that an instructor for the Red Cross, Civial Defence,and local fire dept. When it came to supplies I lucked up , had a friend that run a safety supply that called and said they had some supplies being discontinued and wanted to know if i was interestet, to make a long story short I bought $2500 worth for $200.
Next came food and other supplies. My wife and I did a lot of thinking about how much too store up. We live in a small erea out of the city with only one rood in or out, we know almost everyone along with children, we also know that there is only one other doing any preps and that on a small scale,so we decided that we could not turn away anyone in need. So we planed acordingly.
This is not all we have done but this will give you some idea. A few years ago we had a large snow storm, was without power for 7 days and could not get out for most of that time, our system worked wonderfull and we had a house full, but with the Lord's help we were glad we were able to help and feed everyone who came..

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Much to my delighted surprise we got our power back on yesterday about 5:30 pm just as I was getting ready to uncover one window each for our bedrooms and the bathroom. With no a/c and the windows in those rooms boarded over they were simply unlivable when the sun came out. Now I can leave them covered since today's five day forecast is showing Ivan making a close pass on us. Sigh...

Didn't get a chance to drop any of the trees though and now that the lines are energized it'll probably be late Fall or Winter before I can harass the power company into coming out and trimming them for me.

<strong>Gr8DaneDood,</strong>

I've turned several folks onto the PlyLox clips, but you have to have inset windows to make them work and I don't so I have to go another way. They sure are convenient though if you have the right kind of windows for them.

<strong>Dean Miller wrote:</strong>

<i>Battery powered fluorescents are more energy-efficient than LEDs for area lights. There are a few 12-volt setups that can be powered for a long time from a big gel-cell or deep cycle battery. </i>

Any suggestions for brands and models you'd like to make?

For our main area lighting we're using a couple of 15 watt compact fluorescents that run off 12v that I bought from Bass Pro Shop. They're on about a twelve foot cord and have cigarette lighter plugs. We have two of the jump-start battery packs that we use as power sources and recharge them either in my truck when I'm driving or when the generator is running. Those worked our pretty well.

What I'd really like is something that's self-contained that we can carry around and set down for when we want to go into the bedrooms, bathroom, whatever, where I don't have the main lights set up. LED or fluorescent is fine, but it has to have a fairly long lived batter life.

<strong>Doc1 wrote:</strong>

<i>Alan,
For area lighting, consider going the kerosene pressure lantern route. Some excellent candidates are the Petromax or the Coleman 639 and 214 models.</i>

You live down here, do you <i>really</i> want to use a light source that produces copious quantities of heat? I've got two or three Coleman lanterns, but seldom use them because they either produce huge amounts of heat at a time when we don't want still more heat or they produce so much light that it becomes a problem in itself. For a pressurized fuel lantern though I do like the idea of kerosene.

Just not for a hurricane!


The boredom factor didn't really happen too much with us this time around though it can be a problem. I was gone twelve hours a day at the EOC and we managed to keep our five year old more or less occupied though for the next one I think we'll stock up on more time fillers. In the past we've kept a dedicated game box full of stuff to do. Unfortunately, when we moved into DunHagan the box inadvertently got stored in the workshop and mice nested in it ruining it. I need to assemble a new one.

My biggest problem personally during Frances was trying to get enough sleep.

I'm going to keep my eye out for a small window unit a/c that I can pick up cheap on an end-of-season closeout sale and put it away as a storm prep. If we could just cool down and dry out one room long enough to let the wife and child get a little comfortable shut eye I think it would make matters easier to bear for everyone. If I'm careful with motor startups I might be able to run everything at once and not have to run the gen-set longer hours. Going to have to study it a bit.


Is there anyone else out there that has learned new lessons or relearned old ones as a result of Bonnie, Charley, or Frances?

Looks like by next week we'll have to add Ivan to the list as well.

This time around I'm taking a sleeping bag to the EOC!

.....Alan.

 

[nanna]

What I'd really like is something that's self-contained that we can carry around and set down for when we want to go into the bedrooms, bathroom, whatever, where I don't have the main lights set up. LED or fluorescent is fine, but it has to have a fairly long lived batter life.

We used something like these (I got two huge boxes of them from Home Shopping some years ago for real cheap) when we lost power last summer. Put a light on the counter, on the stairs, whatever ... very handy, and they lasted for several hours on one lot of batteries.

http://www.cyberbrands.com/pub/taplight.html

Good luck weathering the storms.



nanna

 

[Charlie]

Alan,
For area lighting, consider going the kerosene pressure lantern route. Some excellent candidates are the Petromax or the Coleman 639 and 214 models.
These lanterns produce a brilliant, white light and are significantly brighter than white gas lanterns. Additionally, they offer excellent fuel economy and will operate on diesel. The Petromax claims to operate on diesel and it does so excellently. The Coleman kero lanterns do not claim to operate on diesel, but they do!
We're no longer buying any gas/naphtha/white gas appliances or vehicles and are slowly but surely standardizing everything on kero and diesel. These fuels are much safer than gasoline and have far superior keeping qualities.

Best regards
Doc

I almost bought a petromax, but instead spent my ca$h on some alladin lamps. The petromax cannot be used safely indoors due to the incredible amount of stink and carbon dioxide/monoxide it will emit. The alladins burn clean on lamp oil and smell some with K1 Kerosene. The single fuel colemans run on anything but clean high grade white gas will plug up the generator and be inoperable in no time. We also have several coleman gas lanterns and they can be used outside a window and will cast the light inside. They are ok indoors, but put out odors/gasses in a confined area. I still swear by the alladins. I use one every evening on my porch while checking in to TB2K and just LOVE it.

 

[CanadaSue]

She's packing a long term punch

We're getting the remnants now. It gusted up to 40 mph for brief periods overnight but it's the rain that's going to be a problem. Been raining steadily all night & watewr is just pouring into our basement level garages/storage areas. Another few hours of this & there will be standing water in the garages. By night, the storage rooms may have water. I've shifted anything I don't want wet in our storage locker up on the shelf.

I expect intermittent power outages & cable/net have already been wonking out.

Incredible when you consider how far we are from Florida.

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Here's another hurricane related issue that I've never had to contend with before that many of you others may be dealing with as well.

When a hurricane threatens it is often enough the local schools that are used for storm shelters. A day, sometimes two, before the storm hits the schools are closed so that they can start taking people in. They stay during the storm and often enough for a day or three after the storm has passed until where ever it is they came from is safe for them to return. In the case of special needs folks they may not be able to go home until services have been restored because a lot of them must have electricity and so on for their medically required equipment to function.

What this means is that sometimes the schools will be closed for days during hurricane season. My daughter will miss this entire week. Only four days rather than five because Monday was a holiday. If Ivan comes to call she'll miss that much more time on top of it. All of that will have to be made up at the end of the year.

Which leads us to child care issues. No school means no after-school care many times so all of a sudden we have to find someone to watch our daughter. This time around we couldn't come up with any satisfactory arrangements so my wife and I are working half-days until the schools open again. Another big hit.

Hopefully, by next year we'll have this problem worked out. It's a problem that a lot of people have so it's something to think about - in advance - every hurricane season.

.....Alan.

 

[Doc1]

Well, not exactly...

I almost bought a petromax, but instead spent my ca$h on some alladin lamps. The petromax cannot be used safely indoors due to the incredible amount of stink and carbon dioxide/monoxide it will emit. The alladins burn clean on lamp oil and smell some with K1 Kerosene. The single fuel colemans run on anything but clean high grade white gas will plug up the generator and be inoperable in no time. We also have several coleman gas lanterns and they can be used outside a window and will cast the light inside. They are ok indoors, but put out odors/gasses in a confined area. I still swear by the alladins. I use one every evening on my porch while checking in to TB2K and just LOVE it.

Charlie,
A few common misconceptions should be cleared up here: The Petromax - or virtually any other quality, pressurized kero lantern only produces really noticeable "stink" when it's first lit or when they're shut down. After reaching operational temperature - which only takes a minute or two - they are nearly odorless and in fact, produce far less "stink" than wick style hurricane lanterns. Start and stop the lanterns outdoors and you'll eliminate 99% of objectionable odors. All lanterns - including Aladdins, hurricane lanterns and even candles - produce some CO and CO2, but the kero varieties produce significantly less CO than white gas lanterns (which should never be used indoors). I like the Aladdins and have a beautiful, antique brass Model 9!
Alan's concern about indoor heat production is certainly valid, especially during the warm hurricane season. This can be mitigated to a high degree by - as Charlie pointed out - putting the lantern outside of a widow and directing the light inside. A side reflector is helpful here. Additionally (depending on the insect situation), you can hang it from the ceiling with a bail extender near an opened front door.
The CO problem is my biggest concern, though to date, having used woodburning stoves, candles, kerosene heaters and lanterns for years, we've never had a problem with it. Of course, we've (hopefully) applied at least a modicum of common sense to their use, including fresh air venting and flue or flame adjustment for optimum combustion. Still, I've just ordered a couple of CO monitors to increase our safety margin.

Best regards
Doc

 

[Gr8DaneDood]

Alan: Had you seen the "Commercial grade" Plylox?

Requires using 3/4" plywood, but it probably would work for you...

<TABLE width="70%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>PLYLOX™ Commercial Applications

</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>

• Boardup aluminum-framed windows without drilling or screws
• PLYLOX™ works with aluminum-framed window casings that are at least 1-1/2 inches deep
• Protect your property from hurricane-force wind and rain with PLYLOX™ Clips!

</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>

Experts say:"Board up your windows"
​

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Once your windows break, the storm is inside your business.
​

</B></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Installation Instructions </TD></TR><TR><TD>PLYLOX™ should be used with 3/4" plywood. Use CDX grade, or better, plywood that is in good condition. Do not use plywood that has delaminated, is easy to bend, or is badly warped. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Step 1 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Measure the length and width of each window. Subtract 1/2" from the width measurement and 1/4" from the height measurement. Record the measurements in this measurement chart. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Step 2 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Cut the plywood covers for each window. Some hardware stores will cut the plywood for you. Use good quality (CDX or better) 3/4" plywood. Plywood comes in 4' x 8' sheets. Windows bigger than 48" x 48" will require 2 or more sections of plywood. Each section can be hung independently (more clips) or they can be spliced together (more work).

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->
​

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Step 3 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Slide the PLYLOX™ clips on to opposing edges of the plywood cover.

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->
​

The average window requires 4 clips. Space the clips no more than 36" apart. The thickness of plywood varies with humidity. This will cause the clip to fit differently from time to time. If the fit is loose, tap on the clip with a hammer to close the opening. If the fit is tight, then force the clip on by tapping the clip on with a hammer.

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->
​

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Step 4 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Using an Allen Wrench, extend the set screws on all the clips on one side of the plywood cover 1/4". On the opposite side of the plywood cover make sure the set screws are flush on the clips. Insert the plywood cover into the aluminum window casing until the clip touches the frame.

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -->

<!-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --></TD></TR><TR><TD>Using a 5/32 allen wrench, firmly tighten the flush set screws. Then tighten the set screws on the opposite side at least 1/2 turn. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>


Removing PLYLOX™ is easy! </TD></TR><TR><TD>You can remove PLYLOX™ clips quickly and easily. Use the allen wrench and loosen the set screws. This releases the PLYLOX™ clip and the plywood is easily removed. The PLYLOX™ clips can then be stored and reused the next time you are threatened. </TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[closet squirrel]

My sister in law (19) moved to Clearwater a month ago to be with her boyfriend (dont get me started on that!!!) She is living with him, his parents, and a brother. I talked to my mother in law the day after Frances went through to see how SIL was doing. She said she was really hungry because stores were not open yet and all they had in the house was a can of chick peas and some butter.

I never really believed that people were so oblivious until then. You can maybe excuse it from a teenager, but there are adults living there too. What kind of bubble do you live in to not atleast get a day or two of food before a major hurricane comes, one that you had many days warning for?

 

[Cascadians]

It pays to listen to major disaster events even if in "far away" locations, because the after-effect ripples are sure to impact everybody in same way or other.

Got an eMail 3 days ago; never got one like this before. (edited to protect privacy) excerpts:

"NET Participants:

Today I received an announcement from the Mitigation Branch Chief at the Emergency Management Institute at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).* FEMA is requesting the assistance of any volunteers in the Citizen Corps, including Community Response Team members (that would be you!).* Volunteers are needed to handle a number of jobs in the areas of Florida hit by Hurricane Charley and Frances.* After talking with _____________________, I'm forwarding the information below about the roles and requirements for working in this deployment, and what you should do if you can help.
....
....
Citizen Corps and Hurricane Frances

As you are aware, the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA is responding to its second major hurricane to hit Florida in the past several weeks, and we need your help. Hurricane Frances is approximately 2 times the size of Hurricane Charley. It is expected to hit Florida and, potentially other states, resulting in devastating damages. FEMA Response and Recovery operations are a top priority of the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA is asking us to contact and tap our State and local Citizen Corps Councils, our affiliates and program partners to find volunteers who could serve as Hurricane Frances Community Relations Officers.

You are being requested to immediately seek individuals among your State and Local Citizen Corps Councils for a two-week minimum field assignment as a Community Relations Field Officer. WE NEED 1000 COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS WITHIN 48 HOURS BEGINNING NOW (SEPT. 4th) FOR A TOTAL OF 2000 WITHIN 7 DAYS.

Requirements for individuals:
Must be sponsored by your State or Local Citizen Corps Council.
Must be a United States Citizen with no prior felony convictions and the ability to successfully complete a government background check.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be physically able to work in a disaster area without refrigeration for medications and have the ability to work in the outdoors all day.
Must be willing to work long hours under arduous conditions (e.g., individuals may reside in an emergency worker tent city rather than a hotel during their assignment.)
Workers may be exposed to mold, high heat and humidity and insects.
Must be willing to work in vicinity of disaster debris, damaged facilities and related adverse conditions.
This assignment is temporary and is a paid assignment.
Must not self-deploy. Individuals who self-deploy will not be reimbursed.
Role of Community Relations Officer:
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with disaster affected communities and the citizens of those communities
Collect and disseminate information and make referrals for appropriate assistance
Identification of potential issues within the community and reporting to appropriate persons
Convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public
Perform outreach with community leaders on available Federal disaster assistance
Upon arrival at the Mobilization Center in Atlanta, GA, the recruit will:
Be sworn in as a Federal employee.
Be given training on Community Relations in Atlanta, GA before you are deployed to the field.
Receive training on deployment procedures and requirements.
Be compensated for the period of employment as a level C-1 reservist ($18.88 per hour)
Receive per diem at the local rate.
Airfare and/or other transportation to Atlanta, GA will be by invitational travel (paid by FEMA)
Note: individual must save all travel related receipts for "vouchering"
Be issued a FEMA badge.
Be issued a temporary government travel credit card. (You are expected to use this card for all travel related expenses such as airfare, lodging, meals, gas, etc. and to pay all bills after reimbursement.)
...."

One thing CERT participants are taught right from the start is that local emergency response professionals in any area cannot handle a major disaster all by themselves, and will need help. With the National Guard otherwise occupied, and more than one locale impacted by more than one disaster, the government may call upon citizens to help.

Prayers up that Ivan is not so terrible by the time it reaches more land.
Leska

 

[CanadaSue]

Well it took Ontario long enough..

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1094741401882_90150601/?hub=TopStories


***Hydro One workers aid Florida

In Florida, power is still out in many parts of the state after Frances pummeled the state last week.

So Ontario's electricity provider, Hydro One, is sending a small army of staff and vehicles to help get the lights back on.

Hydro One spokesman Al Manchee said about 240 line staff and 130 vehicles are heading down in four convoys. They will gather in Daytona and then be deployed throughout the state where needed.

With about 1.4 million homes and businesses without power, it could be early next week before power is restored statewide.

Hydro One has assistance agreements with a number of utilities in the northeastern United States, but the Florida devastation was so severe that state officials called the utility for help.

"It's important to note Ontario electricity customers will not be paying for this. All of the costs will be paid for by Florida Utilities," Manchee said.

Manchee said the utility is well prepared for any Frances-related problems that may arise in Ontario.

"We have other resources we can call on in the event of a bad storm in Ontario," said Manchee.***


Imho we shouldn't have waited for FLA to call - we should have called them in advance of landfall & told them what we could send, give them a convoy start time & ask where they wanted our guys to stage until the storm passed.

FLA sent help our way after Ice Storm - over 30 states sent help & many brought their own supplies, light poles, wiring etc. I figure we still owe you guys big time. Power was restored quickly in most areas & I have no doubt countless lives were saved because of it.

One good thing - our trucks will be there to help with Ivan too.

 

[Imaginethat!]

Reading bout the bugs looking for dry spots, I was wondering if snakes are also being affected by the rain and goig for houses?[/QUOTE]

I HOPE not!!!!! Yikes! But I do watch out as I wander my swampy back yard for just in case!

Question - is there any non-chemical way to get rid of fire ants? They are getting very active in my yard, as I'd like to have my goats graze ther in future?

Imaginethat!
Please check out my swap/sale thread! Thank-you!

 

[Laurane]

Aladdin Lamps......

do put out a lot of heat - we used them to make hot chocolate one winter's night when the power had gone off......if you put a metal tomato cage over it, you can rest a little saucepan on the cage and heat anything you want in it.

Can't believe you guys are still talking about heat!! It is snowing HUUUGE flakes here in Alberta......and the temp was down to freezing last night. This is too early

 

[night driver]

OFUZZY01 wnted this posted and Summerthyme is up to her eyes in "stuff: so here it is, his "list":

Linda, please post this on tb.

We're okay, here's a short list of things to do.

To DO:
- finish the hurricane straps. 3 hours
- Pick up Mom-i-l
Do some minor last minute details work at her place
Her Storm shutters were not properly secured!
I will need to do that myself.
- Pull car into garage
- Batten down the garage shutters.
- 'quick' screw the big shutter middle pieces. 45 min
- Lug in the fuel jugs from the mini shed. 20 min
- Lug in the garden supplies from the mini shed. 20 min
- Do last minute check of yard, pickup all the stuff on the ground.
I left a power cord plugged in outside, used a dirll on the side.
YIKES, I forgot to one last check in the backyard.
- Pool Add Cholorine
- Bring in trash cans.
- Set up emergency shelter on southside inside closet.
lay down sponge mat [exercise / work mat]
stock with: food, water, games, lights, potty bucket + trash bags]
- DO LAUNDRY
- DO DISHES
- MAKE COOKIES AND CAKE - copmfort food and nice treat.
- Fill water buckets and bottles
- REMOVE pool and sprinkler pumps --
tape up their power connections / pipe
- Tape using painters tape the exterior doors and locks.
This will reduce the amount of water coming in from dirven rain.
- Remove outside light bulbs and tape their sockets - [flourecents]
- Install the Garage Huricane beam.
- Remove and cap roof turbines.
- Keep the wheel barrow easily accessable.

Our cleanup was made alot easier when we used an old sheet and dragged
the small stuff to the piles.

 

[Seabird]

We are in St. John's County (NE FL. coast just south of Jacksonville ) and we were surprised at what Frances did at the lower speed she had by the time she reached us. At this point the speed wasn't the problem, it was how long her visit lasted. Our county was hit hard.

Learned two things:

1. Put anything that holds water into the freezer one day before the storm hits. This saved our frozen food long enough for us to barbecue everything safely.

2. Prep for babies and small children even if you don't have any. Last minute emergency guests joined us and we only had a little preps for the babies. At least some powdered milk, etc. If things had gone long term, we would have been in trouble. So I am planning in cloth diapers (which can be used for a zillion other things, as well) and other items.

3. Nothing tastes better than coffee perked on a barbecue in a camping percolator. Nothing.

4. Stock plenty of sterno cans. This was invaluable. We placed a sterno can in a sauce pot, laid a small oven rack (like the removable ones in a toaster oven) across the top of the pot, and we cooked coffee, soups, etc., and then hot water to wash the dishes.

 

[A.T.Hagan]

Seabird,

You make a good point about keeping baby supplies on hand for a just-in-case. We keep a small number of cloth diapers, plastic pants, and such as a permanent part of our stores. We also keep at least two cans of lactose free cows milk infant formula. The stuff keeps for two years as it comes in the can so it's not like we're out any real money for keeping the supplies.

Chuck,

That's a good list. Reminds me of what I was doing the Thursday before Charley was supposed to come to call. I worked the entire day getting ready and part of Friday and was exhausted when I finished.

Then he turned and never hit us at all!

For expedient cooking I like propane camping gear. Doesn't have to be rotated, doesn't smell, and is easy to use.

.....Alan.

 

[BaywaterRoss]

When my lease is up in June, I'm moving!

I'll stay in Florida, but will get to higher ground. There is a beautiful area about 50 miles north of here in rolling hills which are about 175 feet above sea level. Get a nice little plot of land, then build a bunker in the side of one of those hills!

Yeah, have a house there, maybe even a manufactured home. But get a big honkin' steel building and shove it into the side of the hill and when a big one comes, just put everything in there and ride out the storm.

Enough with hurricanes already!

 

[wasabell]

BaywaterRoss,

What part of Fl are you moving to with that elevation? DH and I will be moving there soon, (Tampa area) and WE DONT DO FLOODS!

Jan