Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I might buy a generator. I filled up with gas before the storm and only going very short distances until the craziness is over. I would buy a lantern or something better for lighting at night. I also will be buying a coffee press. Luckily my usual deli had a generator with coffee. I also would consider buying a charcoal grill. We do not have one and the amount of food wasted is incredible. I am also making sure I have enough warm blankets nearby. The heat was the worst, since when I was cold I was falling asleep, during the day.

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I will drag my in laws out by their hair if I need to, other than that we were as prepared as we could be, a generator would be awesome (not that we lost power) but might next time

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Have a propane generator so we don't have to rely on gas!

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Just stock up on gas. We filled up but that was it. I did not see this gas thing coming.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

We were well prepared and were lucky to have no damage and power back in three days but there is still more that I think I should have done. We filled up the tanks, had extra cash on hand, freezers loaded with additional water jugs now frozen to ice to help hold them, coolers filled with ice and essentials before the power went out so we could delay opening refrigerator and freezer doors, lots of batteries, etc.

I would have felt better having additional lanterns and more batteries. We started having trouble with our one large lantern and didn't have a good backup, just smaller flashlights.

Not sure if we'll invest in a generator so I would like to know how to drain the pipes if necessary to prevent freezing if it came to that.

If we did have damage we were not prepared to do anything in terms of a quick fix - a few tarps on hand but no plywood, minimal tools, etc. not to mention minimal skills.

When power went out the home phone messages started going to our Verizon voicemail since the answering machine was down. I wish I'd thought to call and update the message for friends and extended family from OOS that were trying to reach us. It would have been an easy way to let them know we were safe and to give our cell numbers.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

we didnt have a go bag ready in case there was a fire or any other reason we had to run out- definitely will do that next time

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Message edited 3/18/2013 7:09:52 PM.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

i'd like to get a generator...i think i was prepared pretty good i would stock up on gas next time, wasn't expecting the shortages we are currently seeing.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I'm going to take out MUCH more cash, but more water, and get a camping lantern (couldn't get one before the storm)

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

My mom sold her generator a few years agol. We had bought it when my ggrandmother was ill and never used it. I don't know that I'd buy another. Maybe this is stupid, but I'd be more afraid to having gas around than losing power

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Get a full tank of gas!!!

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

We were well prepared for the storm, and didn't have to go out and get a ton. We have a normal stockpiling of batteries at any given time, plus a lantern and high intensity LED flashlights (that worked just as well as having lights on). I went out to Target Friday night and got some snacks and soda and water, and on the way home, stopped and filled up with gas (in and out, not a single person at the station at 8 pm last Friday night).

Yes, we didn't have power for almost 5 days. It wasn't easy, but we survived. We cooked what we could on our gas grill because we have an electric stove. It got cold, but we dressed warm and had the baby sleep in our bed for a few nights.

I still won't rush out and get a generator. The whole gas situation this time around is freaking me out. DH needs to get to and from work, a 45-minute trip, both ways. He needs the gas to get to work to support us (I work to, but only part time and a lot closer to home). I'm just thinking that those nights we were cold and huddled together were a better way to use our resources and not worry about gas for a generator when we needed it for the car.

My parents are still without power, and now both their cars are super low on gas. My mom still works in a hospital and she also NEEDS to get to work.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

We never lost power, but I would like to get more flash lights and batteries to have around. I also need a phone that plugs into the wall.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Nothing. We prepared the best we could but were powerless to do much once we lost power. Without power, the basement sump pumps can't work. The generator in our garage (which weighs about 80lbs) is also useless to us because it was in our garage when that, too, flooded. So as much as we were prepared with a generator, flashlights, lanterns, candles, food, full tanks of gas,and cash- we still are at the mercy of Mother Nature.

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I would get a couple of gas cans and fill them up too. Other than that nothing.

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I think I was prepared as well as I could be, but I am ordering one of those crank & solar radios that you can also plug your smartphones into.

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

We ordered a generator. I'm going to order another Coleman lantern with detachable lights. It worked really well and was helpful with LOs.

Just curious...we took out cash, I think we had enough, for those that said they would take out more, how much do you think is a good amount? You can FM me too if you don't want to post.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I would make hotel reservations in advance, just in case. We lost power and my house has terrible insulation. I was so cold after the first few days and no friends took us in.. I tried calling around to various hotels and they were all completely booked for 10 days out.

I would also buy more flashlights and fill up BOTH cars with a full tank of gas. We only filled up one.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

I was lucky I had no need, but I think I am going to make copies of important documents and keep a folder at my parent's incase something really bad happened to my house.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Get an extra container of gas, buy shelf stable milk to drink in my instant coffee.

How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

generator

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

DH is looking at natural gas powered generators so that we do not have to worry about gas. We did not lose power but next time we don't want to take any chances.

More gas. I filled up my tank to 3/4 full and now I wish I had filled it all the way up. Same with DH truck and I'd want to fill up a few gas cans, too.

I think we were pretty well prepared with food, water, milk for DD, diapers, wipes, batteries, flashlights, and wine

The last tree we had standing on our property fell during Sandy so we do not have to worry about trees anymore.

Message edited 11/3/2012 3:31:14 PM.

Re: How will you prepare differently for the next storm??

Def going to get a generator...bc this bit with no heat is crazy!!!

I got plenty of cash and filled my cars with gas...so we are still good....