I read a blog by this guy who survived Katrina (he fled to Texas well before things got really bad) and he covered something everyone here missed: paperwork. Have copies of EVERYTHING. Insurance papers, home and auto stuff, identifications, current resumes, etc. He wrote about getting to Texas and finding the perfect job to work while waiting for things to blow over, but not getting hired because he lacked credentials. He also mentions dealing with FEMA, why you should avoid shelters unless absolutely necessary for survival, and having papers to ID your kids as well (if a rescue chopper can only take one of you, and it's you and your kid, you'll send your kid first-- but does he have ID, medical info, etc?). It's fun to think about guns, ammo, your zombie mobile, and supplies, but that "boring" stuff is important too. If we had to evacuate my apartment, sure, I could survive for a month or two totally on our own-- but I didn't have anything on me to prove that I owned my apartment, which car was mine, that my guns were legally mine, etc. Hell, if I went missing and my g/f didn't have her ipod or cellphone, there'd be no pic for a "missing persons" poster...

http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/blogs/klessons/

Next fuel run for the generators will get the E-free stuff down by the harbor.  The Aloha station on Queen K has it.  Use Sta-bil in the gas regardless.

Rather than draining the carb on my Honda, I try to remember to start and run the thing every month or so.  Just moved it to a more convenient loacation so may be more diligent.  Sure starts easier if it has been run recently.

Why aren't clear polycarbonate panels for windows available here for hurricane prep?  There's only the corrugated stuff but that's for roofs!   Then we all could simply install anchors to window frames and when the time comes, wingnut the panels on quick and still have light in the house and be able to see out.  much easier for most vs. heavy plywood, which probably gonna' get eaten by termites while in storage.

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8cgwQ-_A3uY/maxresdefault.jpg

#2, through this last storm warning I learned about garage door braces but of course ZERO available here in the whole state.  why?  the garage door is the biggest opening on your house and also the flimsiest.  in direct hit it can be blown open very easily.  they run about $158 from Lowes + shipping.  good insurance IMO, even when not storm conditions, check it out.


http://knoji.com/images/user/garage-door-failed.jpg

http://www.lowes.com/pd_247967-64840-180_4294763916__?productId=3041386&cm_sp=Millwork-_-Hurricane|LR-_-Merch|Prep_GDO_Brace

Those garage door braces are an excellent idea.  My door would definitely break like the picture if anything larger than a CAT 3 came through.  I think i'm gonna rig up something like that with brackets and 2x4's.  Thanks for the link

Those garage door braces are an excellent idea.  My door would definitely break like the picture if anything larger than a CAT 3 came through.  I think i'm gonna rig up something like that with brackets and 2x4's.  Thanks for the link

Great idea. You think you could post your after pics. I too am thinking of this.
Maybe one could have some pre drilled holes in the floor for the floor bracket...then if a strong hurricane is inbound one could screw the plate in and slide the 2x4 or 4x4 in place.

Why aren't clear polycarbonate panels for windows available here for hurricane prep?  There's only the corrugated stuff but that's for roofs!   Then we all could simply install anchors to window frames and when the time comes, wingnut the panels on quick and still have light in the house and be able to see out.  much easier for most vs. heavy plywood, which probably gonna' get eaten by termites while in storage.

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8cgwQ-_A3uY/maxresdefault.jpg

#2, through this last storm warning I learned about garage door braces but of course ZERO available here in the whole state.  why?  the garage door is the biggest opening on your house and also the flimsiest.  in direct hit it can be blown open very easily.  they run about $158 from Lowes + shipping.  good insurance IMO, even when not storm conditions, check it out.


http://knoji.com/images/user/garage-door-failed.jpg

http://www.lowes.com/pd_247967-64840-180_4294763916__?productId=3041386&cm_sp=Millwork-_-Hurricane|LR-_-Merch|Prep_GDO_Brace

'78, did you try calling takase door service or any other garage door company?
if they don't carry them, maybe we could get a group buy together
i'd be in for that

just ordered from Lowes, is sitting in garage!  group buy is excellent idea if can pull it off.  intarwebs should have DIY alternatives?

just ordered from Lowes, is sitting in garage!  group buy is excellent idea if can pull it off.  intarwebs should have DIY alternatives?

macsak, can't find the darn receipt but s/h was minimal.  advantage of big box store.  couldn't avoid local tax though

free shipping.  order total was only $165.44!  but I only got one.  double door should have 2 in a perfect world. 

another edit:  yeah right on great vid!  see, how come nobody tells us this before right? in other hurricane states these are common knowledge.
 is like how deny our rights to keep us victims.

I hate that bacon, even when frozen solid, just doesn't keep longer than a few months.  While I was doing LIFO that meant a whole stack underneath was no good.  I threw out like 30 lbs. of it    all bought on the cheap from 2011.   I think most of my pancake mix will be tossed too, got lazy didn't seal properly.

Anything kept in a frost-free freezer at appropriate temperature will last indefinitely from a food safety standpoint, it just starts to lose flavour/texture. Chest (non-FF) freezers are best for long term frozen food storage.

I've eaten months old frozen bacon and it was fine honestly. I mean it's still.. BACON!!