Saturday, August 27, 2011

Things you learn when surviving a hurricane

Here we are again, huddled up indoors while a hurricane rages outside. Folks of a certain age learn a few things about surviving a hurricane, and this axiom applies to folks who are 100 miles inland as well as those along the coast.

If you're not evacuating and are instead staying at home, here are some things I learned about getting through a hurricane, courtesy of Fran in 1996 and Floyd in 1999.

1. Expect electricity to be out, at least for a while. With Fran and Floyd, my wife and I went without electricity for nearly a week each time.

2. Invest in some lights that will actually provide enough illumination to read. When you can't watch TV or listen to the radio or stereo, being able to read is important. Electric lanterns that throw a circle of light are best for reading. Regular flashlights don't work very well at all, and neither do oil lanterns or candles.

3. A gas hot-water heater will allow you to take showers even when the electricity has been off for days and days. You can survive cold showers, but a hot shower is a wonderful luxury when the house is dark.

4. A gas stove is also preferable to an electric stove when the electricity goes off. Although the coffee maker might not work after the power goes off, you can use a gas stove to heat water and make tea or coffee the hard way. If the electricity is off long enough, you'll get used to it. A gas stove also allows you to cook meals. The microwave won't work, but you can cook a lot of nutritious food on the cooktop.

5. You might be able to find a gas-powered refrigerator. These are not common in North Carolina, and I've never used one, but that concept really sounds great after the electricity has been out a few days and the frozen foods are starting to thaw.

The Red Cross urges people to prepare for emergencies. A gas stove and gas water heater are good preparation steps for the next hurricane or other power outage.

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