Pre-storm advice please.

[Paper Roses]

Since I am now alone, I have a lot of small projects to do today and tomorrow. Please let me know if I should take the screens off the exterior doors and put the glass panes back. I will close the storm and regular windows.
I would also like to know if I should take the air conditioner out. I'm sure the plastic flanges will not hold up with the winds we are expecting.

My worst fear is loss of power but I have bought a long pump/hose manually operated that I can use to pump out anything that accumulates in my old cellar.

Good luck to all of us on the east coast.

[beac]

1. I can't advise you on the windows, but I went through Isabel with

all the A/C units in the windows in the house I lived in at the time. I have heard Irene might be worse than Isabel, so if you can manage getting the unit out by yourself, it might not be a bad idea.

Be sure to fill your bathtubs with water (to flush toilets, in case you lose water service.)

[trud]

2. should you be evacuating?

My neighbors are I are dithering here in RI about evacuating. Not the wind so much as the possible storm surge.

My Dad always put tape across the windows, to try to keep the glass from shattering. I have never done that.

If you expect a chance of flooding, put stuff high up - in the second floor, on top of furniture if you have only one floor, etc.

We never did anything with screens and I don't recall those being a problem.

I have an emergency kit (which will be useless if I get flooded) - flashlight, battery operated lanterns, spare batteries, battery operated radio, water stockpiled, food, medicines. ditto supplies of food and meds for pets.

God bless us every one.

[trud]

3. p.s.

I think AC units are heavy. You might be biting off more than you can chew, esp. if you find the window then won't close if it hasn't in a long time.

if you have some small pieces of wood (a hardware store should be able to cut some to size for you) you could nail them over the openings where the plastic is.

Let us know how you are doing after the storm.

[beac]

4. How'd you do? Please check in when you can.

:hug:

[Dover]

5. A couple of considerations (not safety related) if you have time.

And these might be helpful to have on hand for any emergency.

Put together all important papers/documents and important items and either put them in a safe place and/or in a to-go kit/briefcase. Include some cash (3 days to a week's worth). It might be helpful if the container to hold all this is waterproof and marked with your name/address.

If you have insurance you might take some photos of items you own or at least list them. Itemizing just makes it easier to establish real estimates.


http://www.ice-qube.com/blog/in-case-of-emergency/emergency-preparedness-tip-8-important-documents