Stormy Weather
For the last month, we’ve had a real rash of stormy weather. No, not that lovely old song, but real stormy weather.
Now I don’t mean gentle rain or light breezes. I mean torrential downpours, terrifying lightning and thunder, and worst of all tornado watches, warnings, and actual touchdowns.
In the past week we’ve had two tornado warnings, with one actual tornado touchdown about a mile from where I live. Fortunately, there was no substantial damage from the tornado, and no one was injured.
During a tornado warning, you are supposed to go to a basement or an interior room if no basement is available. I don’t have a basement, and every room in my apartment is filled with windows, so each time I’ve hung out in a large walk-in closet. I figure it’s interior, and definitely doesn’t have windows.
However, these recent episodes have made my realize that I need to be more prepared for the storms and tornado warnings. Let’s face it, a walk-in closet isn’t particularly comfortable, but there are clearly things that will make it more so. And if my power goes out, I’m completely unprepared.
During each warning, I brought my iPhone into the closet with me, so I was able to be in contact with friends. During the second warning, I brought in some pillows and actually fell asleep on the floor. I also brought in a bottle of water. This morning, I moved my flashlight to a prominent location in my apartment, in case the power goes out. But that’s about it for my storm preparedness.
Some of my friends have lost their power for hours in recent storms. When this happens, you can’t open your refrigerator, meaning if you want to eat or drink anything, you need to have other sources of food. And with an electric stove, even canned foods can’t be heated.
I’ve been mentally working on a list of things I need to buy, and plan to hit some stores today (as they’re expecting more storms tonight and tomorrow). Right now, my list includes
- Foil packs of tuna and salmon
- Dried fruits and nuts
- Bottled water
- Extra batteries for my flashlight
It doesn’t seem like a lot, but should help. Do any of you have any thoughts? If you live in a tornado-belt area, what do you do to be prepared?
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Yes, second the beef jerky. Also, those packs of crackers — you know, cheese crackers with peanut butter filling, etc. — are good choices, too.
I also second candles, as well as oil lamps. Yes, there is some danger with the open flame and/or oil, but they can be quite handy.
@LinnieGayl – New Zealand’s basically a ticking bomb. Comes from being right on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Ah well, cross fingers.
Here in MN, the weather got super nasty last night. We were driving home from a graduation party around 11pm and there was some minor flooding on the highways. It’s was crazy!
Eeek, Jean! under a volcano in an earthquake zone? You must be prepared. Beef jerky is a great idea, as well as candles and matches. Thanks!
I don’t know tornadoes, but I do live in under a living volcano in an earthquake zone. I’d also go for some candles and matches as backup to the flashlight. Beef jerky couldn’t hurt. And having tins of food, even if they can’t be heated, are good to have on hand for the long term.
Thanks, Lee & Syd. Off to check out hurricane and earthquake supplies (which are things I can’t even imagine having to deal with).
I’m a Florida hurricane girl. Toilet paper comes to mind. I would also suggest you google “Florida hurricane supplies” or something along those lines. They have ideas we don’t even go for.
I don’t live in a tornado area but I do know several stores sell earthquake preparedness kits. I have one of those. I would think it would be just as handy for any kind of natural disaster.
Rachel, sorry you lost power at both places. This has been a very stormy summer so far. Nope, those storms are supposed to be heading my way later tonight, and then all day tomorrow…sigh. Maybe July will be nice?
I hate tornadoes! I missed the excitement here by being on vacation up north. There we only had bad thunderstorms. We lost power both at my house and at my vacation spot because of storms in the past few weeks.
I’ve about had it for rain in June. I came back and my garden was all weeds again and I’d sorted it out right before I left. I don’t want drought, but this is ridiculous.
It sounds like you’ve got things sorted out for the next round of this. We’re supposed to have storms all weekend here. Hope they miss you, LG.