Hurricane Checklist
- Car tank filled
- Propane tank filled (and secured)
- Cash
- First aid supplies and prescription medications
- BBQ briquettes
- Candles and lighter/matches
- Flashlights, battery-operated radio and a two-week supply of batteries
- Several jugs of Electropura/Crystal water, electrolyte drinks and cooler with gel packs
- Hammer, nails, masking tape, plywood and tarps for quick home repairs
- Clean up supplies - pails, mops, brooms
- Non-perishable food items (canned goods primarily) and a manual can opener
- Protective clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes
- Buy extra screen material
From personal experience
Preparation... you start to feel that you can conquer this sucker!... finding wood, 19 trips
to Walmart for stuff you forgot, getting organized. By the time the hurricane arrives, you are exhausted.
Your clients are screaming at you (because they are in Florida or New York and don't have a shmick about
your approaching hurricane) and you are not concentrating on your telecommuting job.
Eventually, the power goes out and you are sitting with a flashlight, a ton of rain, no
information, no phone, and stuff flying around outside.
After the hurricane it is usually calm... no wind, no a/c, no power and sweltering HOT. This
is the worst part... now you are really exhausted and everything is a mess.
I thought I was smart.. I bought a 4KW generator (and all the neighbours tapped in). Felt good to have a fan running,
the fridge making ice, and unbelievably - an Internet connection. Unfortunately the generator blew both of my computers
(even when plugged into surge protectors.... arggg).
Fortunately there was no loss of life in Cancun during the recent Hurricane Emily in July 2005. It was a Category 4
and there was very little rain. The eye hit about 40 miles south of us. 5 days without power is nothing compared to
what happened in New Orleans with Hurricane Katrina.
After seeing this season of 2005 I wonder why Cancun residents are never told to evacuate... it has been drilled
into us to "ride it out." If another cat 3 or higher arrives... I WILL leave for Merida or Florida.
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When the storm approaches
- Purchase the recommended emergency supplies
- Keep an address book/phone book on paper (your computer will have no power or Internet connection)
- Monitor weather reports for updated information
- Store enough drinking water to last several days
- Bring your pets indoors
- Clear your yard of any loose or unsecured objects
- Tape or board windows to reduce the risk of broken glass
- Get extra cash. ATMs may be out of order after a severe storm
- Keep your car fueled and ready to go
- Leave your home if asked to evacuate
- Store valuables and personal papers in waterproof containers on the highest level of your home, or take them
with you if evacuating.
- Park your car on high ground and away from large trees or telephone poles
- Charge your cell phone
During the Storm
- Stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
- Keep supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a
source of light.
- If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.
- Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
- Prepare to move to higher ground nearby (a neighbor upstairs?) and plan a route
- Turn off your cell phone to conserve battery power for when the network comes up again
After the Storm
- Remember that you may not have immediate access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews, and other personnel
may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be down, and people may be trapped and in need
of assistance.
- Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before being
allowed access to your home/neighborhood.
- Avoid driving, as roads may be blocked. Avoid sight-seeing, or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily. You could be
mistaken for a looter.
- Avoid downed power lines, even if they look harmless. Avoid metal fences and other metal objects near downed lines.
- Avoid turning the power on at your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional conduct a thorough inspection
first.
- Consider having professionals/licensed contractors inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This includes
electricians, as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees, and check plumbing. Remember that
downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can be a hazard.
- Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage done to your home, before any repairs are attempted.
- In certain areas, the flooding rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential pest
problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes, that may have "come with the storm".
- Telephone lines will likely be busy in the area; use a phone only for emergencies.
- Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne bacterial contaminations. Avoid standing water and wash with
clean water and soap frequently.
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