Hurricane Sandy on the way
Some amazing pictures of Hurricane Agnes’ damage on the Library of Virginia’s Flickr page. While it isn’t likely that we will see this level of damage from Hurricane Sandy it doesn’t hurt to take a few preparations. Below is the official city press release with some good tips. The list however doesn’t include the most important piece of advice that 90% of this city ignores. When a stop light is out it becomes a 4-WAY STOP, please treat it as such. I don’t know why but around here folks just decide it means that no rules apply and it becomes very Mad Max on the roads.
Make an emergency supply kit to include essential supplies that will last at least three days. Supply kits should include a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, non-perishable food and water, toiletries, flashlights, a first aid kit and medications. Also, include items needed for infants, seniors, and pets. You may want to keep a second kit in your car in case you are told to evacuate.
Bring in or secure any object that may be blown about by high winds, including plants, patio furniture, garden décor, etc.
Do not connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring may ‘back feed’ onto the power lines connected to your home.
In the event you must leave your home, create a family communications plan by discussing with your family what actions should be taken during an actual emergency. Decide in advance on a meeting place if your family cannot return home. Designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point-of-contact, and plan for the specific needs of your household, such as transportation of medical equipment or pet evacuation needs.
The City asks that residents remain home during this weather event. If travel is necessary, please review the following suggestions:
- If you do have to drive, drive cautiously;
- If driving, decrease speed;
- Have a full tank of gas;
- Have a cell phone with a full charge with you
Businesses have a critical role in emergency preparedness. Putting a disaster plan in motion now will improve the likelihood that your business or company will survive and recover. Visit www.ready.gov/business for more information.
Although mass evacuations do not appear to be necessary with this weather event, City officials may decide some area evacuations are necessary. Residents should prepare to be self sustaining by having food that doesn’t need refrigeration and one gallon of water per person per day.
Residents are strongly advised to stay tuned to local TV and radio stations for the most current storm information. In the event your home loses electrical power, plan to have a battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio and extra batteries ready so that you can hear weather information and instructions from officials.
For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the city of Richmond during the storm, please visit www.Richmondgov.com, follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA, and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.
And please pull leaves away from the street gutter so water may flow into and through the sewer.
If your power goes out, cut your central a/c & heat system off at the thermostat to prevent anything blowing up once power is restored; same advice if the lights start blinking
Thanks for mentioning to treat an intersection without working stop lights as a four way stop, so many people didn’t do that during Hurricane Irene last year and there were a lot of accidents as a result. It was scary as many just took advantage of the situation and would speed right through.
One of the worst is Jahnke and FH. Be careful.
If you think you might lose power, fill plastic water bottles, clean milk bottles, clean cottage cheese cartons, etc. with water to 1/2″ of the top, cover and freeze. These blocks of ice will keep your frozen foods and even the body of your refrigerator cold longer. If you have time, when the ice is done, remove from the plastic container (run a little tap water over the bottom if it’s hard to get out), put into plastic bags in the freezer, and refill the containers to freeze again. if you don’t need it, you can use it later for drinks to celebrate!
Make sure you stock up on beer and cigarettes and cash. Corner shops won’t accept credit cards if the power is out. Don’t want to end up sober and smoke-less. Remember people! Be prepared!
If you have an electric stove, don’t start using it as an extension of the countertop when the power goes out. When the power comes back on, you may end up with a mess.
Charge your phone, ipad, ipod, etc.
Have towels rolled up near doors and windows that tend to leak.
Turn you refrigerator and freezer up now.
If you still use a land line, make sure you have an old-style telephone in a drawer somewhere. The phone lines often still work when power is out, but cordless phones are pretty useless.
Also, alcohol & tobacco, as others have pointed out.