Important lesson to take from Hurricane Sandy...

steveinaz

Prepare a bug-out kit and keep it in your vehicle. A large rubbermaid container with long shelf life food (peanut butter, rice, crackers, etc) that is high in calories, bottled water, first aid, medication, blankets, fire making tools, a small tent or tarp, camp stove/fuel if possible, water purification tablets, extra clothing, firearm/ammo (if you can where you live), extra cell phone batteries that are charged.

Remember the rule of "3's" (for the hikers/campers out there):

You can die from exposure in 3 hours. (extreme heat OR cold)
You can die of thirst in 3 days.
You can die of hunger in 3 weeks.

So, the priorities are in order: SHELTER, WATER, FOOD. make sure to rotate your food/water source once in a while. Bottled water can go bad.

Have a plan, and purchase a container of some type (safe, etc) for your MOST IMPORTANT documents and your laptop if you own one.

hewlew1

Good information to know.

Mike Reeter

A disaster such as Sandy can certainly put one into a survival way of thinking...good list.

mantis

Whole house Generator , thats what I want to get

brgman

#4 Don't expect the gubment to save your arse!

WilliamM2

How long is the shelf life of all those supplies when stored in 140 degree car in the sun?

dkg999

You should have a bug-out bag, and back-up tub of supplies. Those small reflective thermal blankets that come in the little pouch are amazingly effective. MRE's from the Army/Navy surplus store will last a long time. A good water purification kit will keep you going after any bottled water runs out. As the Sgt said, have a plan, have a back-up plan, and have a plan for when all the other plans fail.

I'm adding one of those solar powered cell phone/laptop chargers to my bug-out supplies.

rpf65

Difference between living in the city and country. Those of us that live miles from a city already have that stuff. In the area wher I live there are 2 types of people: those with no weapons, and those with aresenals.

brgman

rpf65 wrote: »

Difference between living in the city and country. Those of us that live miles from a city already have that stuff. In the area wher I live there are 2 types of people: those with no weapons, and those with aresenals.

SO true!

DMara

Just pack the family and take a vacation away from the hurricane.

obieone

Theres about a billion videos on YT on this subject. Some names to check out are: 'southernprepper1', 'enginner775', or 'patriotnurse', among others. They can seem extreme, but they're very thorough:cool:

Also, there are alternatives to military MRE's. One brand I've seen is 'Mountain House', and their stuff is good for 7 years.

steveinaz

WilliamM2 wrote: »

How long is the shelf life of all those supplies when stored in 140 degree car in the sun?

Are you asking a Southern Arizonan about heat and sun? You'll be fine.

Gadabout

WilliamM2 wrote: »

How long is the shelf life of all those supplies when stored in 140 degree car in the sun?

Supplies vary on shelf life and heat. Since MRE's were brought up here is a link to some shelf life information:

http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-shelf-life.html

If you browse around the site, you will find some decent information on what is available about there for emergency food and the like.

Scott

BlueFox

rpf65 wrote: »

Difference between living in the city and country. Those of us that live miles from a city already have that stuff. In the area wher I live there are 2 types of people: those with no weapons, and those with aresenals.

While not a gun nut, I realized that once we have a major earthquake here, the LA riots a few years ago was child's play compared to how things will be after the big one hits. I pity the fool that tries to get my food and water.

lcrakel87

Hurricane Sandy has definitely made me realize that the mid atlantic can really affected by a hurricane. Doesn't happen as much as say Florida, but I'll be prepared next time.

Polkersince85

One thing nobody has mentioned is to have a minimum of 3 to 6 months of expenses saved in an available account. When the regular world is turned upside down it's nice to know that immediate expenses are covered. It would sure beat having to wait in line for gas just to get to work because one can't afford to stay out.

It's best to stay in place and let things normalize unless forced out. Never go toward the masses, it's just asking for trouble.

brgman

Yep good points.
I have cash on hand,a full generator with 2 5 gallon backups and can always siphon from the cars if needed.
And a small arsenal to protect it and/or to take what i need if necessary.

tonyb

Polkersince85 wrote: »

One thing nobody has mentioned is to have a minimum of 3 to 6 months of expenses saved in an available account.

Just curious....how would you go about getting that money out with no electricity to run ATM machines and the banks closed ?

dkg999

In a serious SHTF scenario you won't have expenses. You'll need stuff to barter with. Food, water, smokes, whiskey.

tonyb

....bullets, sex....oops. :cheesygrin:

brgman

Ammunition is the currency of the future.

Systems

Alcohol would be great to have around (Vodka, Whiskey, PGA ect).
Great for getting fire going (cook and stay warm), first aid, barter ect.

For some reason, I just can't manage to stockpile any.

codyc1ark

Hmm... What IS the shelf life for a bottle of cheep whiskey?


Hmmm... Google says forever. I need to add a case of cheep half gallons to my 12/11/12 grocery list.. It'll go well with the gallon of shine!

steveinaz

Champion 5k generators, >$400. I have one---love it, pretty quiet too. I use it to run my meth lab. kidding.

obieone

Toilet paper. You can laugh, but I'm serious.

codyc1ark

I'll play your game, sir..