We currently have a big storm headed toward Florida - Milton - that is monstrous, and most likely will be devastating. I am wishing those that can leave safe travels and those that stay, to be safe. It's scary. I am not in Florida, but lived through Superstorm Sandy. That was nothing compared to Milton that is bearing down now on Florida. For Sandy, we had no power for 10 days, gas lines for days (certain days for certain license plates based on letters/numbers), with trees and water everywhere. Also at that time, we were selling and buying a house, so 2 properties to worry about. My thoughts turned to prep today. We have family in Florida, both coasts, but not in the expected path. During Sandy, we were able to get a generator, and I had plenty of food on hand. We did have neighbors around us to help as well. We were lucky that we were high enough that water did not affect our immediate area of homes. Driving was still an issue through all the water around. Many trees, power, and other issues. Both DH (verizon) and I (work for a stair builder) were still working, so we sent our kids to Virginia with family. We also have a radio, batteries, water, blankets, and first aid kits handy, and still do. We were aware she was coming, so I think we were a little better prepared. Do you prep before storms? Do you have a bug out bag? How do you handle them? What storms have you had to endure?
Do you prep before storms? no not really Do you have a bug out bag? I keep blankets and spare warm clothes and food in back of my car in winter incase stuck in snow How do you handle them? here in wisconsin we don't have to deal with a lot of that stuff... besides snow storms and maybe a few bad thunderstorms we haven't had anything too bad What storms have you had to endure? snow storms? and maybe a couple nasty thunderstorms that took down trees and flooding
I'm thinking good thoughts for Floridians. Up in Virginia, we've only gotten some tropical storm weather after hurricanes have slowed down. I have gotten firewood, library books, and groceries before some big snow storms over the years.
Saying prayers for everyone in the line of this monster storm! I sure hope it dies down some before it hits the coast! Do you prep before storms? The only storms we know about ahead of time are winter storms, but we don't even get those very often or very bad these days. (We're in Michigan) Do you have a bug out bag? Sadly, no. How do you handle them? The most I do usually is make sure we have some batteries in the flash lights and that our phones (and battery packs for the phone) are charged ahead of time. What storms have you had to endure? We had a tornado when I was a kid, but it was just really loud and didn't really cause any major damage to our house. Just some branches down on our trees. Then I lived through the blizzard of '78 which was epic. I thought it was awesome because we didn't have school for over a week. The snow was so deep my Dad had to abandon our car in the road and walk the rest of the way home. This is not my picture, but this is what it was like. The snow was up to the roofline on the back of our house. We had an amazing time digging tunnels in the snow.
I’m in Pennsylvania. We get snow sometimes, ice sometimes, severe thunderstorm lots, and the occasional flooding. The worst has been the flooding. Back in 2011 it was September and right before our big county fair. It was the first time the fair ever was cancelled. We’ve been without power for a couple of days but nothing that was awful. In the winter if the power goes out we have a wood stove for heat and cooking. We have never had to leave due to weather. The snow is like okay whatever. Clean up starts at daylight. If we get a lot like several feet we do have friends that will help plow us out. My husband also uses the neighbor’s tractor and does his snow and another neighbor and then ours. I think he actually likes it! I do wish we had a generator. Maybe some day! My in-laws are currently in Florida. In the direct path. They moved to my sister in laws house and now she is in an evacuation zone but they are staying. Too late for them to even try to get out. They said it’s too much of a hassle to leave. They did one time a couple of years ago and said never again. My mother-in-law is worried she will not have a house once it’s done and she has no insurance because Florida says it’s too old and will not insure. Praying for the best! My husband is prepared to head that way if they need him.
I am in the direct path of Milton. Our home is new construction, built to withstand a hurricane. I guess we'll find out tonight. It's supposed to make landfall around 8 pm. We are not in an evacuation or flood zone, so we're staying put. We have a generator. Do you prep before storms? Yes! Hurricane shutters are up. Outdoor furniture is bungie corded together or put into the garage. Do you have a bug out bag? Not this time, but we are also packing for a cruise vacation this weekend. How do you handle them? I try to stay calm. I've only lived in Florida for 5 years, so I'm still new to hurricanes. What storms have you had to endure? This is the third hurricane to hit the west coast of Florida since I've lived here. We've also had some pretty bad tropical storms. What storms have you had to endure? Hurricane Ian, Idalia, Helene, and now Milton. Several tropical storms including Debby just last month. When I lived in Pittsburgh, we had to deal with blizzards. I remember once we had 3 feet of snow in one day.
Do you prep before storms? I grew up in central FL and the most we ever did to prepare was to have extra water on hand. Here in WNC we don't usually get big storms...but of course, we had a huge one 1.5 weeks ago that nobody was really prepared for. How can you prepare for mudslides, wind, and 30 inches of water? Thankfully we didn't get it too bad here. But it's really bad about 1 hour east of me. I just went to visit friends their yesterday. It's devastating. Do you have a bug-out bag? Not really How do you handle them? In FL we just hunkered down. I do remember one time we hid in the closet. My parents weren't home and we had a tornado warning in our small town. It was sort of out of the middle of nowhere. Thankfully we were all fine. What storms have you had to endure? The biggest one I remember as a child was Hurricane Andrew. It hit South FL so didn't impact us too much. But I remember the devastation and my family and friends going down there to help people rebuild. And I think as an adult Hurricane Helene has been the worst - not necessarily enduring through it because miraculously we didn't get much of the wind here but watching all of my friends east of me and seeing it all afterwards is just heart-wrenching.
Do you prep before storms? Not really but probably should have some version of prep Incase of a natural disaster Do you have a bug out bag? Have no idea what they even are....so nope! How do you handle them? As I live a fair way above ground, we are ok but generally just wait then out. What storms have you had to endure? Not storms per say but we had some pretty bad cyclones & flooding in January/February 2023 (peak summertime here & very uncharacteristic for the area & season)
That's crazy you lived through Superstorm Sandy Jenn. No power for 10 days sounds so crazy! Do you prep before storms? No. If we have a natural disaster it will be an earthquake so we have to be prepared all the time. Do you have a bug out bag? No. The closest thing I have is the emergency kit we keep in the car for when we travel. What storms have you had to endure? When I was little I went to school with my cousin in Florida and there was a tornado warning so we all went to the ground level of the school. That was interesting. We have water, food pouches, and solar in case of emergencies. Fingers crossed we never have to use any of it!
