Preparedness tips learned from Katrina

1. Have a supply of cash on hand as ATMs and cash registers do not work when there is no power.
2. Gas up your vehicles as pumps at gasoline stations do not work when there is no power.  Additionally, gasoline deliveries are delayed to your local stations until roads and services are reopened and
service stations that do have power run out of gasoline and are unable to get new supplies.
3. Fill your refrigerators and your freezers with bottled water or other bottled liquids or non-perishable foods.  A full refrigerator or freezer stays cold longer than an empty one.
4. If you have a propane barbeque grill, fill the tanks ahead of the storm.  You can cook meals on the barbeque when there is no power. Even if you have a gas stove, the roots of trees that are blown down
can break the underground gas lines in your area and there will be no natural gas available until the line can be repaired.
5. Fill your bath tubs with water.  This water can be used to flush your toilets if the water pressure drops to a level that does not allow them to flush in the normal manner.  Fill a bucket with the water from the tub and pour down the toilet with force, like all at once, and the toilet will flush.
6. If you have valuables in a safe deposit box at the local bank and the bank is located in an area that may flood, remove your valuables from the box ahead of the storm.  Many people lost valuable papers, etc, during Katrina because of the bank flooding.  Safe deposit boxes are fire proof but not water tight.
7. If you have to evacuate, be sure to take your important documents – insurance policies, property deeds, etc.  You may need these before you can get back home.
8. Have canned foods and non-perishable foods available.  Also, a manual can opener. It’s hell to be hungry and not have a can opener!
9. Keep your cell phones charged. Even when you cannot make a voice call on your cell phone you can usually send text messages.
10. Pick up all loose objects from your property. Patios furniture, hanging baskets, bird feeders.  Anything that can come loose and fly around in the high winds.  The most unlikely objects can become flying
projectiles when the winds are blowing at 100 mph.  You do not want your windows broken by flying debris if at all possible.