OT no brakes on Hurricanes

Okay. Talking to myself here which is okay. If you are within 200 miles of the Atlantic, you need: gas in your car. (service stations can not pump gas if they lose power) cash. ATMs don't work without power either. your pills. If streets are flooded, you can't run to the pharmacy. And please. If you have a glass topped table on the patio, bring it inside. Ask Michelle what kind of mess they can make. Polly

"Polly Esther" <

We all need to be ready.

Right now it is the time for those in the Hurrican zone to have their survival kits and plans of action.

Plains and Midwest, a good winter project for you would be to get ready for the next tornado season, if not right now since your season is not quite over.

Forest fire areas, evacuation plans and what to quickly grab.

Those of us in earthquake areas, act now. Our gallon green tea jugs are full of water to water the plants and in the event, they are our water source, as well as a crank radio and flashlight amongst other things.

Winter areas, do you have a survival kit in your car? I will. A rubbermaid tote keeps it all contained in the trunk. Once the snow flies it comes out from under the workbench and into the car.

Anyone else, do what you need to.

Also, choose a meeting place should you become separated, and have an alternate. Also have a phone number of someone well away from your potential disaster area where you can all check in, and an alternate phone.

As those of us once in Boy Scounts knew/know, our motto was Be Prepared. I even have basic supplies in my cabinet at school should there be an earthquake as the bridges could go out and I couldn't get home. Basic clothes, food, toiletries, and always in my backpack, in case I am stuck anywhere with nothing to do, some hand sewing/quilting project. You didn't think I would forget that would you?!

Steven Alaska

Watching Earl in Florida. More worried about DB in South Carolina who is over 200 miles inland and got slammed by Hugo. Canned food in place. Coleman stove on the ready. Have time to get gas since we are too far south for Earl. Also time to turn over the glass top table. DS flyin from Boston to New Orleans this week. Earl may mess up his flight home- We have had very high tides and rip currents for the last week.

Anna Belle in Palm Bay

Up here in Maine, the local TV/radio stations (and newspapers) are keeping a close eye on it. Even though it may not be a direct hit where you need to evacuate, still, the winds and heavy rains can be very destructive - loss of power, clean drinking water....

As a (retired) military family, we learned from typhoons that hit Japan, to keep supplies of canned food, large jugs for water, and all the stuff the others have listed (radio, batteries, medicines). I can also add: if you have kids, keep some games / books / coloring books&crayons on hand --- in case you lose power - it'll keep them occupied Since the Navy days, we still keep supplies on hand. Some years back, we had a terrible ice storm and most areas lost power for a week or more. Thankfully, we had a shorter blackout and had many family members that stayed with us because they were without power. We also had a propane mini-stove - and a BBQ outside.

Better safe/warm/fed than sorry. ME-Judy

Very good point Susan. I forgot about something like this, but then again, for those like your husband that work in such a building, it is a daily and relevant reality. Our tallest building up here is 15 floors. Not negating the point, probably just why I didn't think of it. We do have a couple of stay put and lock down drills each year at school but that is more for an intruder or incident alert.

In truth, I really should have considered something like what your husband and his co-workers are doing as I knew someone that died in the twin towers attack. Times have sure changed since my grade school days in the late 60's when we used to have to deal with bomb threats at our grade school on the college campus.

Wishing everyone a be safe weekend and and beyond at all times.

Steven Alaska

Hurricane weather folks are saying that too many are taking a cavalier attitude about Earl. . . and mentioned that some areas of the east coast haven't had a ferocious hurricane since 1991. Judy, I'm so glad that you know the drill. Don't forget to put your kitchen trash can into the bathtub and fill it with water. That will let you flush if you loose power/water. Safe, warm and fed - those are good. So is flushing. Polly

"ME-Judy"

Polly, that's a hint I've never heard before, but a good one. You're right, flushing is good! I always have drinking water in jugs around (or at least distilled water that I use for my CPAP machine), but never thought of flushing water.

Donna in Idaho

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It seems to me that most of the hurricane preparation articles are written by people who have never tried it themselves. Many recommend filling your bathtub with water. That might work for a few hours but if the rascal's drain leaks you are in big trouble. Polly

"Donna in Idaho" <

Polly, in Florida our power in the park is turned off fairly often, but we have advanced notice so we fill a small trash can with water to be able to flush 2 or 4 times until the water is turned back on. About Cajun cooking and eating------dear son used to work at Lowe's and a new worker from Miss came in. He heard son talking about camping and cooking up his catch of fish. He asked son if he would like to join him during lunch break to cook up a mess of "bugs". They both enjoyed the time together! Barbara in SC

We have finally heard from our Pat in VA who is in Hurricane Earl's path. She can't 'do' rctq just now but has battened down her hatches. We will hold Pat and Judie and our other quilters in harm's way close in our prayers. Polly

Thanks Polly. When I saw the map of the path of the hurricane on our weather news last night, I immediately thought of Pat. I didn't remember where Judie lives. . In message , Polly Esther writes

Seems like Judie and Judy both could get some wind and rain but we'll hope that's all. Wonder what Fiona's going to plan? Polly

"Pat S" Thanks Polly. When I saw the map of the path of the hurricane on our

I have a son in the Ohio National Guard. When he came home from Kosovo we found that there were MREs packed with his stuff. We put a couple in each car with the other emergency supplies. Last year we figured they were getting too old to use (especially being carried in a hot car in the summer). We took the little sealed packets out that hold a pack of matches, a hand wipe, powdered drink mix, tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce, gum, and toilet paper. We also saved the sturdy plastic spoons and the chemical heat packs. We just tossed a couple of sealed packs in each glove compartment- they're waterproof,

Anyone could make her own packs.

waterproof container- heavy quart size zipper bag(double layer)-bags are handy as part of kit too purse pack of tissues bar of hotel soap matches tea bag, coffee bag, instant coffee pack, and/or water bottle size drink mix- what you would want

3 Band-Aids sugar, salt, & pepper packs from fast food meals hand wipe packet or 2 1 or 2 thin sanitary napkins- make good bandages for larger wounds, too reflective mylar blanket- I found some at the dollar store needle & thread

in winter you could add: hot cocoa packet/ instant hot soup packet- they won't keep in the summer instant heat hand warmer packet

That makes a bigger pack than the MRE ones, but still small enough to fit in my glove compartment