The hype is on with Wilmington, NC in the bullseye. Talk about anxiety. Husband and I are checking flashlights, buying more water, bringing some outside furniture in (the easy stuff - we'll wait 'til later to finish everything). We've been through 3 hurricanes here in the late 90's - not an adventure I ever look forward to. I'm planning on cooking stuff from the freezer rather then throwing it out - friends are happy recipients. Losing power is pretty much a given. Longest time without power was 3 horrible hot days. Yep - I'm really into air-conditioning. Due date of Irene keeps changing from Sat morn to Sunday morn depending on who's predicting. So we get several more days of this reporting stuff as in,' maybe here/maybe not' or 'definitely here'. When Jim Cantori turns up we know it's for real.

I don't wish this stuff on anyone so I'm hoping it will go out to sea???
Hope springs eternal................ Alicia

 

Take special care of the most valuble things, yourselves.

And then tell the husband to cover the Crossie.......... with his body. Just in case.

BTW a $400 generator with electric start and a $150 AC unit plus extention chords will save you and all the food in your freezer, icebox. A wise investment.

 

Great, I had to read this post then checked out weather.com . Sunday morning puts me dead center of the projected path at a Cat 1. Wouldn't be so bad except I live in the boonies out in a coastal area. Might be a good weekend to get away.

 

Franc - I love the numbers you mention - last time we looked into this option it was $$$$$. Of course that was awhile ago - probably after the last hurricane when I had to dump all freezer stuff. So,plz send more info for future reference (and action).

Stocked up at the grocery - have lots of wine and beer and chips. That's what I like to live off of in times of stress. Well - I also have lots of veggies - good with dip and wine and beer. When you really need this stuff is before and after the event - during the hurricane I just cower. Once it is over, we share everything with neighbors and friends. It is a toss up as to if it is coffee ( from a neighbor with a gas stove) sodas, or something stronger. Grocery traffic was heavy today. 'Nuff said.

This will be the first hurricane for my XFIRE. I'm hoping we both make it through in good shape.

Your 'hurricane phobic friend'
Alicia

 

You must have looked at a full automatic backup system for the house. Such systems are expensive for the hardware and the electrical hookups required to be safe and legal.

All you really need is a 3800 to 5500 watt portable generator. A good 3800 with electric start can be had at a Farm and Home store for $400.00

A small 5000 BTU unit window AC unit can be found at Lowes for $150.00.

Add some 50 foot 14 Ga extension chords and you can run a freezer all nite, the frig and the AC unit during the day.Plug the Micro wave in, unpllug the AC unit and make dinner.

This requires some effort, the ability to do simple math and a little common sense. But no expensive electricians or permits.

Remember to keep the generator outside. Most will run 5 to 10 hours on a tank of fuel.

Always add up the wattages of the equipment you are plugging in. Most outlets on the generators are 20 amps or 2000 watts. A small AC unit is about 2000 watts. Your freezer about 750 and the frig about 750. Even a small heater can be only 1500 watts. But look on the panels to be sure.

A fan or two draws less than the AC. Flourescent lights draw less than incadenscents. A flourescent Work-light extension chord costs $20-$30 bucks at Lowes and lights the whole kitchen. Plug your cell phione charger in only when being used.

A few flashlights, some candles and a battery powered radio, your set.

For a few days, it maybe complicated, but surely better than losing all your food and comfort. It's like camping inside you house.

 

Hurricane Irene came through P.R. Sunday night/Monday morning. Power was restored about 30 minutes ago. The eye passed right over us which was a trip. One minute 75 mph winds and then next almost nothing. A little later they picked up again but from another direction. A few hurricane tips. All the cars full of gas, fill the freezer with 2 liter bottles of water. When the power goes off you can bring down 2 a day to keep the fridge cold for several days. I prefer LED flashlights with a flat bottom, they last forever and stand up. It's worse to be without water so be sure to have plenty for drinking and fill a tub for flushing just in case. I have a few propane bottles to make coffee or heat up food. I mostly eat bachelor food (cookies too!) wine and cheese. It sure helps to have a generator, I'm thinking of buying one.

I almost forgot, cash is good, no Credit Cards or ATM's without power.

Les

 

All good points Les.

We always keep at least five milk jugs full of water and frozen. If you don't open the frig, it'll last for days. If you have a freezer full of16 OZ water bottles one can keep a cooler iced for along time and drink the water when it melts.

48 bottles of ice will keep a lot of things cold. And provide emergency water. (enough for two people for 6 days)

This lets you keep milk and softdrinks, wine and beer (neccesities of course) cool and available without opening the frig.

A chest freezer will sustain itself for some time, even if you open it frequently for fresh bottled cubes. I cover mine with a thick blanket and it last even longer.

On another note, a 16" X 16" solar charging panel can be found for about $30.00. Plug it into a 12 volt car battery and it will run a host of useful appliances. 12 volt fans, radios and some TVs. A 1200 amp inverter (under $40.00) can give you 110volts for brief usage of appliances, including your computer.

A simple nite light system can be afforded by having a set of solar landscape lamps set aside solely for this purpose. Again, Lowes and Home Depot have them for about $6,00 apiece and they make great emergency lamps which operate for free.

Real handy in the bathroom which in many houses has no window or ourside light source. Chose lights with some sort of on/off switch which is very usefull.

BTW, I have and use all of these things and they work out real well in both emergencies and when camping.

 

Great advise guys!

 

I have solar powered Christmas lights that are great for overall area light. Hand crank radios are super cheap and a great addition. Don't forget to have plenty of pet food for your furry little friends.

I fill up the bath tubs but they don't always hold 100% and that water really isn't good for people drinking no matter how clean your tub is. I have 2 large plastic "muck buckets" that are great for people water. They hold about 55 gallons each and can also work as a cooler when empty. They are about $12 at any feed store. Fill up the gas grill. I don't worry about fuel for the fire pit - it will be everywhere (even if its wet). Lots of canned food that won't spoil. A couple 24 packs of bottled water are always in the back of the coat closet too.

We had 3 in 6 weeks back in 2004 and I never want to go thru that again. I only lost power for a grand total of 8 hours but my family lost power at their houses for over a week. Anyone want to guess who they were staying with??? Anyone want to guess who lost their bedroom, their guest bedroom and their couch??? Anyone want to guess who was sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor of her own apartment with the dogs???

Hurricanes are a nightmare, but the only big natural disaster that you can see coming from a week out.

 

You?

You did?

You were?

Was I right?

Alicia be safe.

 

So .... how was Irene for NC? Did you get to use your bottles of Ice? Was the hurricane party "buck"?

Les

 

Watch it Franc.

 

How did everyone come thru Irene??? I hope everyone stayed safe & all of your houses & XF's are ok!


Nick - you were right on all counts!

 

In the middle of it right now. Winds virtually a non issue less than 40MPH at my location. We have slightly over 6" of rain and still pounding down. Many areas of the state experiencing flooding and many evacuations. We are a small state so you won't see us on the news.

Xfire & Sonata warm & snuggy in the garage.

 

We have a lot of flooding, tress and utility poles down resulting in a lot of road closings. And a lot of people with out power, but we got lucky,we have no damage we have power, just a lot of leaves, branches that need to be clean up.

 

Are there cheap ones?????

There are many electricians
There are many old electricians
There are careful ones
There are careless ones
But,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
There are not many careless old electricians.


roadster with a stick

 

No, I suppose cheap electricians are as rare as the careless ones.

 

Been wiring and plugging things in for 50 some years. Too cheap to pay the rates when I don't have to.

I guess, so far, I just been lucky.

I just bought a back-up generator system that was engineered to be a plug and go, prewired unit. All the components have arrived.......in separate boxes.

No instructions included........

No way I'm putting the investment, much less a utility worker, at risk so.........

I guess I will be calling on a real one this time.


roadster with a stick

BTW, it looks like you don't need and electrician, you need a boat captain. Can Vermont really go under water?

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you affected by the earthquake and hurricane. Those of us out here in the center of the continent, are somewhat immune to these things - the only thing we experience are floods, tornadoes, and snowstorms. I hope you all get through this intact and in good health!