Storm ready...almost

[Oldman]

On another site a statement was made about the importance of fresh water and how it might be as important or more important then number of rounds/ mags a person has if or when a big storm hits. Also mentioned was the possibility of civil breakdown.

So with this theme in mind I thought I would start a thread and those of us who live in "Storm States" might share what we have done to be prepared, and also to kick around our ideas.

I will start off with what we have done, and what is still in the works. For us this has been a work in progress of five years as we are "working" folks.
1. Tile roof removed. A "Seamless" metal roof added. (Wind rated 175 mph.) -- done.
2. Highest impact siding over block wall. (Wind rated 180 plus mph.) -- done.
3. Replaced original windows. (Wind rated 135 mph.) -- done.
3. 250 gallon propane in-ground tank installed. -- done.
4. 12,000 watt tri fuel generator (runs on natural gas, propane, or gasoline. Can change from one type of fuel to another on the fly. It is portable.) -- done.
5. Changed out hot water heater and electic stove to gas. (Less demand on the generator. -- done.
6. Roll down shutters for all windows. -- not done. Install well be finished by next Friday. Wind load 330 mph.)
7. Fresh water is stored in 30 gallon plastic drums -- not done. I pick 5 of them up this week. 80% of them will be bury in-ground.
8. Large solar oven.--done.
9. Installed a second set of wells (6) -- Not really potable, but it is clear no odor. After a few days you got to have something to take a bath with, wash your cloths etc..--done
10. 6 X 12 foot enclosed trailer. Sometimes it is just better to run. -- done.
11. Enough food stuff for 3 people and four dogs to last 6 weeks. Note: Addition to that several cases of Ensure Plus. You may not like it but a person can live on one bottle per day with a pack of cheese crackers. It does not need refrigeration. --done.
12. Home defense--done.
13. First Aid supplies -- done.
14. Solar powered 12 volt trickle charger. -- done.
15. CB radio. --done. (Still looking for a good booster for it.)
16. Changed out all incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. (Less demand on the generator.) -- done.
17. Flood insurance--cheap as we are not in a flood zone. However, we are only 17 - 18 feet above sea level. -- done.
18. 20 foot tri toon boat. 135 hp. 50 gallon fuel tank. Twin batteries. -- done.
19. Life jackets for all to include the dogs. -- done.
20. One Overland Jeep. All track / plus lock down 4 wheel drive with Hemi engine. Towing capacity 7200 pounds. -- done.
21. 5 - 5 gallon gasoline cans. -- not done. Picking them up this week.
22. Small portable gas grill with 4 - 20 pound bottles. (I had made up a conversion hose so I could get away from those 1 pound bottles.) -- done.
23. Regular charcoal grill with 10 large bags of charcoal.

While we have several case of bottled water I think of all the things we have done the most innovative one is the use of 30 gallon drums to store your drinking water. Another idea of how to store drinking water is to go to a boat salvage yard as many times they have surplus fresh water tanks for boats. If you have a lot of drinking water then having items like dried beans and rice is do-able.

The solar oven we have is a "Global" and it cooks enough for 3 people. It has some really nice features. One it opens out with 4 good size reflection mirrors. The platform the pot sit on is hinged so as you adjust the unit the pot stays parallel to the ground. It made of a good grade of plastic and it folds up into its own carrying case. When I first tested the unit it was in the later afternoon. Within 20 minutes it hit 275 F.

Well this pretty much sums up where all of our monies have gone for the past 5 years. I would like to hear from other members their ideas and any item(s) they have done.

Olds

[MallardWacker]

5. Changed out hot water heater and electric stove to gas.

After having a massing Ice Storm...I am a believer in them .  Our is propane but for 5 days we had hot water and could take a bath plus we could cook...I am not sure on the cost of running them but I do not care...we were the ONLY ones that had any resemblance of life.

[Habanero Smoker]

So far I've only had to prepare for winter storms, or thunderstorms that knock out power; and/or make the road impassable. With that, I've only have to prepare and plan for no more then seven days without power.

I'm sure you already know about the storage of gasoline. Gasoline will go bad, so you need to add a stabilizer, and I usually change the gas I'm storing about every six months.

[Oldman]

After having a massing Ice Storm...I am a believer in them .  Our is propane but for 5 days we had hot water and could take a bath plus we could cook...I am not sure on the cost of running them but I do not care...we were the ONLY ones that had any resemblance of life.

Without a doubt cost is not a factor when the time comes.

Gasoline will go bad, so you need to add a stabilizer, and I usually change the gas I'm storing about every six months.

Yepper. I will change it out every 3 months until storm season is over with.

[iceman]

Sounds like you've about got it covered Old's. Another thing we added to our stash up here was the crank up radio and flashlights. No batteries and they run a long time on one wind up.

[West Coast Kansan]

OLDs great list.  You have given me more ideas on getting ready than the earthquake prep. books that get passed around here in So CA. THANKS!

[Sauce Bauce]

I'm glad to see that you have my Florida summer home almost finished.

Boy, have things changed since I last posted!  I like it....

[Habanero Smoker]

Welcome back.

Glad to see you up and typing.

[Oldman]

I'm glad to see that you have my Florida summer home almost finished.

Boy, have things changed since I last posted!  I like it....

Yepper we ready for you just as soon as the check that is in the mail gets here~~!  ::)

WB SauceBauce.

Olds