Dark & Stormy

From eHow

Here in the American Northeast we are all hunkering down to enjoy the coming storm. Each of us has taken precautions (or should have done) to weather this storm successfully. For a lot of people, preparation means buying milk, eggs, toilet paper, and bottles of water.

Only three out of four of those items make sense.

Preparing for a storm of serious magnitude (especially one named after a hubris filled doctor), is serious business. Take care not to make mistakes like the one above.

Because every good Survival Diva has a Bug-Out-Bag ready to go, she has a jump on storm preparations. If the area where she lives is evacuated, she doesn't have to pack. If it's not, but the storm sets up a siege situation, she has a few extra supplies.

Prior to the storm hitting, stock up on supplies. If you don't already have them, invest in items like the following.

• Canned food: make sure you have all the major food groups represented. A bad storm is no reason to forget the food pyramid and proper diet. Do not buy foods that have to be refrigerated or frozen. If the power fails, they'll rot.
• A can-opener: ensure you have one that's manual. If the power goes out, an electric one will be useless.
• Propane for a gas grill (if you have one): in the event of an extended power outage, a grill may be the only place to prepare a hot meal.

  

  From DailyFinance

• Charcoal for a hibachi (or, if you don't already have a grill, charcoal and a hibachi): this will serve the same purpose as the propane grill but it's less expensive in the short run.
• Baby wipes: water pumps don't work without electricity.
• Heavy blankets and layers of clothing: if the heat and power go out, and you live in a cold area, this could save your life.
• Fire wood
• Candles
• Duct tape
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• A battery powered analog radio: without television or the Internet, an old school radio may be the only way to get information about evacuations.

Before the storm moves in, take some precautions around the house. Ensure that doors and windows are secure. Store any porch or lawn furniture. Take in umbrellas. If you have trees or large hedges close by, trim protruding branches (and dispose of the trimmings) a few days before the storm.

Personally, I made sure I had the essentials then charged up my laptops (yes, plural), iPad, and Nook. I also checked that I have lots of pens, notebooks, and books to read. Kicking it old school will mean going back to writerly basics.

How are you preparing for the impending Stormaggedon? Do you have suggestions about how to prepare? Let us know in the comments!

Follow us @Anypocalypse

Suggest a topic!