Episode # 93, "Lessons Learned From Hurricanes"

For more information on being prepared for hurricanes, you might consider listening to these previous podcast episodes:

• Episode # 62, "Prepping For Hurricanes And Other Weather Related SHTF."
• Episode # 34, "Preparing For Hurricanes"
• Episode #53, "Dealing With Heat Related Illnesses"

In a news briefing just ahead of hurricane Ida, a government official said, "the first 72 hours are on you"

Another said,  "If you call 911, we can't help you"

That's why we've say stay prepped for a minimum of a week on your own, but a month is even better.

Lessons:

Help Isn't coming

• No EMS
• No Firefighters
• No Law enforcement
• The time comes when it is just too dangerous to put personnel in harms way

If you ignore an evacuation order, do you really have a right to ask someone else to risk their life to come to you when you should have evacuated?

When help does come, it will be delayed.

• They must triage & prioritize 
• Why proficiently in first aid is so important
• Why having a well stocked first aid kit is so important
• Why storing medications is so important

People get displaced

• Have an evac plan
• Motels get filled to the north
• May be better to go east or west by 100 miles
• Take a weeks worth of clothes when evacuating, extra shoes, at least one of which is sturdy work or walking shoes/books

Some people lose everything

• Preps should be split to store in several areas, even if it is two areas inside the same house, or in the house and the garage

The power goes out

• Generator
• Have enough fuel stored for generator to last several weeks.
• Run generators outdoors only
• Carbon monoxide KILLS !
• Cannot be used indoors, in the garage, or below open windows.
• Safest to have a battery operated CO detector nearby
• Batteries & inverter for CPAP and life sustaining equipment

Keep a Lights out kit

• Flash lights
• LED lanterns
• Headlamps
• Glow sticks

Plan for aux heat & cool

• Propane heater for cold weather
• Window unit A/C w/ generator for hot weather

Food delivery stops for a while

• No pizza delivery, no Steak Out, no Grub Hub
• Be prepared to either cook food with a non-electric method, or have plenty of no prep needed foods.

Food may not be available

• Grocery stores are closed due to damage
• There are power outages

Cash becomes king

• Credit/debit cards may not work
• ATMs can go down due to power outage, Internet outage, or being empty.

Plan for mosquitoes

• There is a lot of standing water after hurricanes. Be prepared with insect repellant. 

Communications are interrupted

• Cable TV gets interrupted
• Cellular network are quickly overloaded
• Text msg uses less bandwidth and may work when voice doesn't 
• Have a battery operated AM/FM for local information, with extra batteries.
• It's a good time to have ham radio, if you have the license.
• Check out episodes #16 & #25

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