[lizardlady]

Hurricane season started June 1st and we already have our second named storm. I'm not ready. Okay, from a practical perspective I am almost ready. I start buying emergency supplies in April/May. The only "supplies" I haven't gotten yet is a generator, though I've been educating myself and shopping. I have my plan in place and food supplies purchased.

It's emotionally that I'm not ready. The cumulative affects of the five in 2004, Irma in 2017, then Ian last year. Riding out Ian last year scared the beekeepers out of me. I'm already on edge about the latest storm. I know what to do. I have things in place to do those things. Still, I'm scared and on edge.

[CANDC]

@lizardlady I hear you it is very difficult being subject to the weather and its many variations.

I have not seen any updates since yesterday but I hope your area will not be badly affected.

Water is a thing I am concerned about. In hot weather each person may need up to a gallon a day so having gallon containers of spring water is one way to get ready. Also easy or no prep meals.

Keep up updated please.

[unaluna]

We're gonna get Jolene a gift basket with an apology card #catcalling #catcomedy #talkingcat - YouTube

In keeping with the dolly parton theme...

[lizardlady]

Thanks CanDc.

Just checked the status. Current prediction is for it to fizzle out over the weekend.

I wish I could find it in myself to relax about possible storms, but can't seem to. Life is likely to be an emotional roller coaster until November.

TS Brett did inspire me to do more research on generators. Read enough stuff this afternoon to make my head spin. Am letting it all settle.

I hear you about water. My well water is nasty -iron and sulfer so I buy bottled water to drink. This time of year I buy more than usual. I also fill everything I can with water for the animals, flushing toilet, etc. I found a bag on Amazon you fill with wafter then lay in the sun to heat the water. It comes with an attached shower head so you can use it to shower. Going to order a couple. I really missed being able to shower after Ian.

I also stock up on non-perishables this time of year - tuna, canned chicken, canned soup, jerky, crackers, etc. I know what practical things I need to do and do them. It's the emotional stuff that gets to me.

[Nammu]

I live in tornado and blizzard country but I can’t imagine living where there are hurricanes. They are incredibly scary.

[splitimage]

My one and only direct experience of a hurricane was Andrew, way back, when I was in Florida for a sales meeting when it hit. That scared the heck out of me. I can't imagine living with them as an annual occurrence.

[lizardlady]

Una, not sure what the video has to do with hurricanes, but it is hysterical.

[lizardlady]

Nammu, I grew up in the midwest. I remember hiding in the basement during tornado warnings. A friend's sister, niece and nephew were killed when they could not get to their basement in time and their house came down on them. I have a very health respect for tornados. At least with tornados you don't have the days of anticipation.

[unaluna]

Songs by Dolly Parton? "Here we go again"

Oops, my bad - the song is Here you come again.

[lizardlady]

Holy crow splitimage! Andrew as your first and only hurricane! That's terrifyingly impressive.

I used to be one of those diehard " I'm not evacuating unless they carry me off the property." The damage caused by Andrew convinced me to get the *heck* out of Dodge. I'm not anywhere near where Andrew hit, but pictures of nothing but rubble where neighborhoods use to be really got to me.

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Thanks CanDc.

Just checked the status. Current prediction is for it to fizzle out over the weekend.

I wish I could find it in myself to relax about possible storms, but can't seem to. Life is likely to be an emotional roller coaster until November.

TS Brett did inspire me to do more research on generators. Read enough stuff this afternoon to make my head spin. Am letting it all settle.

I hear you about water. My well water is nasty -iron and sulfer so I buy bottled water to drink. This time of year I buy more than usual. I also fill everything I can with water for the animals, flushing toilet, etc. I found a bag on Amazon you fill with wafter then lay in the sun to heat the water. It comes with an attached shower head so you can use it to shower. Going to order a couple. I really missed being able to shower after Ian.

I also stock up on non-perishables this time of year - tuna, canned chicken, canned soup, jerky, crackers, etc. I know what practical things I need to do and do them. It's the emotional stuff that gets to me.

@lizardlady
I am still working on lowering anxiety. Some of it is in my body so Adrienne yoga and 5 minute Tai Chi on youtube help my body feel better.

A friend has PRN anti anxiety meds that help on a temporary basis if they have extreme anxiety.

When you pick a generator, there are some less expensive ones you have to start and run on gasoline. Be sure to not use inside as this can cause cabon mononxie poisoning.

The ones that run on propane go for a long time without having to refuel. If you already use propane you may be able to use the tank you have but if new setup, a hundred pound tank may last 5-7 days. Bigger tanks last longer.

Another option is to have an auto switching generator that comes on automatically when the power goes out but this can be an expensive set up by an electrician. I f you do have a manual generator you have to shut off the electric main switch BEFORE starting the generator so if the power comes on it will not burn out the generator. ALSO you have to shut off the generator before turning on the power even if you are not sure it is on.

That is what I learned from my dad who was an electrician.

Keep us updated on how things are going. We are listening and wishing you the best outcome. @CANDC

[lizardlady]

Thanks for the generator info Candc. It's helpful. I looked into autoswitch generators in the past. Holy crow they are expensive! Am still educating myself about other options.

[eskielover]

The last 2 years here in Ky we have had such bad winds (not tornado). I was sitting in my upstairs bedroom against the wall & could feel the wall move every time the 75 mph gust hit the house which was almost continual. Lost 10 trees totally uprooted in my woods & huge branches in trees around the house. That was trivial compared to the hurricanes you go through each year & it was scary enough for me. (I didn't go down to my basement).

Many around here have the auto switch generators in their home. I bought a gas powered one in the middle of a 5 day ice storm the 2nd winter I lived here not knowing how long my electric would be out (estimated 2 weeks). It is sitting in my garage since then & not sure if it even works now. (13 years ago).

Did the tornado thing growing up summers in Kansas but this all was a foreign concept preparing for bad weather we never experienced in Calif.

I can totally understand your anxiety level each year

[lizardlady]

We've reached peak hurricane season.

There's a storm brewing in the Gulf. Scheduled to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday. I was doing okay initially because it was supposed to just be a tropical storm. Now they it will be a Cat 1. I'm kind of nervous. Reminding myself I have all the supplies I need. Tomorrow I will storm proof outside. Fingers crossed it doesn't hit here.

[Nammu]

Hope it petters out and is just a tropical storm.

[Travelinglady]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Hope it petters out and is just a tropical storm.

Me, too. I've lived through several tornadoes--one a #2 and that was scary enough with trees twirling and falling over and water pouring down the wall in my dining room. Be careful.

[neverending]

I m on the Atlantic side. Depending on where it makes landfall and how it turns, along with how strong it is, will determine how it affects me. Hopefully also no power outage, but ready anyway.

[neverending]

I guess we are also more susceptible to the tornadoes being on the backside of it possibly.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by neverending

I guess we are also more susceptible to the tornadoes being on the backside of it possibly.

Looking at the spaghetti models it looks like effects on the east coast will be up near Jax.

A hurricane watch went up for my area late today. Fingers crossed it stays a Cat 1.

Spent time this afternoon prepping the yard and around the barn. Did not quite finish before I ran out of energy. Got a bit more to do tomorrow. All the work I've been doing around the farm the last few months is paying off with lots less to pick up.

I kind of freaked out a bit when I saw the watch went up this afternoon. Had a long talk with myself and calmed down.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

[SIZE="3"
I kind of freaked out a bit when I saw the watch went up this afternoon. Had a long talk with myself and calmed down.[/SIZE]

Weve had no power for 72 hours (finally came back on at 7pm sunday) and ive had to talk myself down a few times. Plus my toilet (in a windowless bathroom) started leaking yesterday. I knew that guy didnt seat it right.

I saw the hurricane path and i kinda missed t****'s little Sharpie addition to send it into alabama.

Good luck.

[neverending]

Predictions are moving it up to a cat 3.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by neverending

Predictions are moving it up to a cat 3.

[lizardlady]

[lizardlady]

Weather service just issued hurricane warning for the area. Starting to consider evacuating. Track still supposed to be north of me. If it stays north I will ride it out at home. If it starts turning south I'm out of here.

[Nammu]

Oo that sounds stressful.