From the Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center – A Cozy Lifestyle
How to Prepare For An Impending Weather Emergency 2019 2020
A Cozy Lifestyle with Clearissa Coward
2020 has been quite the year. So busy with not so pleasant stuff. North Carolina even had an earthquake…go figure. And there have already been several names storms. Storms during a crazy and relentless pandemic is not a good thing. Not pleasant to think about but alas, in order to be prepared, just in case we have to learn How to Prepare For An Impending Weather Emergency 2019 2020.
Once again, I am reposting an oldie but goodie. If you are not prepared for an impending weather emergency this is the post for you. If you’ve read it before, it is a reminder. If you have never read this article, you definitely should. We are living in turbulent times and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. So let’s learn or relearn How to Prepare For An Impending Weather Emergency 2019 2020.
Please get prepared.
Once again, it’s that time of year. The time of year when we, here on the east coast, are faced with hurricane season. And while other areas may not have to worry about hurricanes, they may face, tornados, or earthquakes or wildfires, or other areas that may have other types of catastrophic weather.
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A Weather Emergency can be unpredictable and it seems that all areas of the world have some sort of scary weather to prepare for. And because of that, I share this article annually. I think it is apropos.
I hope this post will help someone prepare and be prepared just in case the weather should turn topsy turvy.
Because we are in the midst of an active hurricane season, I thought now would be a great time to re-share this article and focus on a weather emergency. Please, please, I cannot stress enough how important this information is and what makes this article even more helpful is that you have no worries because I have pulled a lot of information together for you. Please read, heed and stay safe.
Hurricanes are especially frightening, however, if you are in an area where forest fires are prevalent or mudslides or tornados, this information is for you as well. There is nothing better than knowing you are prepared.
I decided to get my home and my family in order to survive a minor and/or major disaster. I began by reevaluating our choice not to purchase flood insurance. After all, we live inland and a flood could never happen to us…right? Wrong! We were recently under the threat and warning of severe flash flooding and flooding in general so I promised God that if He saw me through this one without damage, I would certainly begin the process of researching flood insurance.
Over
Note: My research has indicated that flood insurance is majorly expensive. We did not do the smart thing and purchase the insurance this year because it did not fit our budget. Instead, we put it off for another year – full disclosure. But we have to bite the bullet and get flood insurance. It keeps me up at night this time of year. Nowadays it doesn’t seem to matter if you are inland, you still need flood insurance. We are still considering.
- First off I pulled the following from my files (luckily my files were in order so this was pretty easy. I just pulled entire folders)
- Once pulled, I placed the following documents into a ziplock bag and put them in a backpack to be
accessible just in case we had to leave suddenly
- marriage license
- passports
- birth certificates
- home insurance papers
- information to contact my home insurer
- photo IDs (in our wallets)
- credit & debit cards (in our wallets)
- dual sets of house and car keys (we each had one and there was one extra set)
-
Disaster Supply Kit I also pulled together the medication that hubs and I take daily which weren’t many, but I wanted to have them none the less. I made sure I had extra asthma medication for me. I also packed pain relievers and ibuprofen, just in case of a fever.
- I placed the medication in a zip lock bag as well and placed them near the backpack
- I maintain a spreadsheet with the medications and supplements we both take, the dosage, the doctor who prescribed them and the reason they were prescribed. I printed a copy of this document and placed it in the ziplock bag with the medication. I was mindful of hurricane Katrina victims when I did this because many of them were never able to return home and had to begin new lives in other states after the disaster and God forbid, If that happened to us, at least we would have our medical requirements with us.
- Inside the backpack I placed:
- shower gel
- deodorant
- toothbrushes
- toothpaste
- travel size Listerine x 2 (can also be used as an antiseptic)
-
Stocked Pantry Next, just in case we were able to stay put but were without power I did a pantry and cabinet sweep checking for the following:
- canned tuna
- canned vegetables
- canned soups (we could heat on the grill on the deck)
- cereal (can eat dry if necessary)
- nuts
- crackers
- three cases of bottled water (a case for each of us and one to share with someone in the neighborhood who perhaps was not as prepared and our dog Rome)
- dog food
- gas for the grill, just in case we were home but without electricity, we could still cook and eat a hot meal.
- Next, I checked for the practical items such as:
- flashlights (everything on the internet suggested we should exchange our old fashioned
- flashlights (everything on the internet suggested we should exchange our old fashioned
-
- flashlights and trade up to LED ones. That sounds good and we will soon.
- the next item was a battery-operated radio or TV. We did not have a battery operated TV, but we did have an old fashioned boom box in the closet so I pulled it down and added batteries to it. It was working just fine.
- I also added the weather app and our local news apps to our phones and tablets (they can be charged in the car if necessary)
- made sure we each had a car and house charger for our cell phones and tablets
- laptop bag with electronics
- Every place I checked suggested a first-aid kit and although I had my first aid “stuff” all in one easy to grab and go basket; it was not travel-friendly. So I packed the important stuff into yet another ziplock bag (you can pick up travel-size items at most drug stores, Walmart and even the dollar stores). I included:
- band-aids
- alcohol
- peroxide
- antibacterial cream
- anti-itch cream
- aspirin & Aleve (my personal favorite)
- gauze
- tape
- I added protein bars & mini bags of nuts and almonds
Finally, because I wear jeans because they are cute and not because they are comfortable, I packed sweats both lightweight and heavy for both hubs and me and several pairs of undergarments and socks for us both as well. I figured I could maneuver better in comfortable sweats than in form-fitting jeans in an emergency. 🙂
I ended up with two backpacks, but that was okay. Hopefully, if we had to leave, we could take our vehicles, which is where I left an additional case of water.
I am sure you all know this, but I will say it anyway, fill all vehicles with gas and be sure to get some money from the ATM when you hear of a storm coming. It is a good idea to keep some cash in a special place or in your survival kit at all times. Just in case there isn’t much notice. We both try to keep our vehicles filled with gas and if you hear of an impending storm, please remember to hit the ATM so you will have cash on hand if you have to move quickly. I also picked up a couple of inexpensive blankets and pillows and I will place them in both vehicles.
We have not done this yet, but we will. Make sure everyone in the family knows where to meet if you are separated and have to leave in a hurry. In my case, my daughter and grandchildren live 20 minutes from me but if something happens suddenly, we need to know where to meet if we can not get to each other. And finally, make sure all devices are charged fully. Cell phones, iPads, etc. It would not be a bad idea to have backup batteries or at least portable chargers.
It feels good to be organized and ready if a disaster is predicted. I suggest you take the time to get your family organized as well because we never know when an emergency or disaster can happen. We live in very uncertain times and it behooves us to be prepared.
Note: If you have pets, please prepare for them as well. Make sure they have their collar on and/or is micro-chipped. The collar tags should have the following information:
- Pet’s name & age
- Owner’s name and a way to reach you (preferably cell phone number)
- When packing your food and supplies, be sure to have enough food for your furry friend as well and enough water to share with them
- If you have a pampered pet, be sure to include a sweater and any medications or vitamins they may be taking
- Pace a lot of patience because they are going to be terrified
Each time I post this article, I try to add more helpful information; however, I’m sure I’ve left something out. If I have, please add it to the comments. You may have an idea or a tip that could save someone’s life.
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Until next time…I remain in my Element – God Bless!
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XOXO,
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A great blog with lots of really practical advice.
Hi Dorothy. Welcome back!!! We are under a severe hurricane warning on the east coast and I thought this might help my readers in the path of this hurricane to prepare. Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed the article.
It’s so easy to underestimate the weather. One can never be overprepared.
Great tips, Clearissa and I love the new layout of your website. Very professional. Congrats!
Thank you Debbie. Yes I know, the weather is so unpredictable and unstable of late. I hope this helps someone. And thanks, I love the new site. 🙂
Such a great list of things you’ve put together for you all who get hurricanes and for those of us who get tornadoes. Shared your post x 4 ♥
Since I wrote my comment on the original post we went through a scary time with wild fires in Italy. We had a drought that lasted from February to November and by late September there had been quite a few fires near us. We sat and wrote an emergency plan and gathered lots of things together (like you suggest) plus cat baskets. It really is better to be prepared and this article is full of great advice.
Thank you Dorothy. That is why I post it annually. Here we are entering hurricane season and flash flooding and evacuations can happen in an instant. I am happy you and your little family got to stay put and to stay safe. Thank you for understanding why I continue to post this.
Hi Dee,
Thank you. This is throw-back but I feel it is necessary I hope you found a tip or two that you can use during any weather emergency. I appreciate your support.
Great post – I re-evaluate my disaster plan each may and also do a post on it. Good ideas as usual miss Clearissa!
Thank you Carol. 🙂
Pinned!
Thank you.