Okay, so this is the not so fun part of the fun blog. Living on the Gulf Coast occasionally we have to deal with the unpleasantness of tropical systems. I’m going to give you some basics and some links to more information. First, be prepared, we hear that all the time but with stores ransacked when the final word of a storms approach it makes since to keep the essentials on hand from the early part of the season.
Water is probably most important supply, be sure and have 1 gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days. You’ll need no perishable food (remember a b-b-q grill may be your only way of heating things up). If you take any medications, make sure you have several days supply. Flashlights and BATTERIES are also high on your list. Plan to get cash out of the bank, ATMs and credit card systems will likely be down. Fill your car up with gas and if you have a gas can, fill it up too.
Many people decide to evacuate. If you plan to evacuate, make the decision early. Determine a place out of the path of the storm. Remember tornadoes and such are often worse in outlying areas from where the storm passes. Realize that traffic evacuating will probably be heavy and you need to be patient. In Mobile, if an evacuation is in order interstate 65 runs north only. If you have pets, make sure they will be welcome at your final destination. You should also have a return plan. It may be difficult to return to the area you evacuated from. Airports may be closed and roads and bridges may be blocked or damaged.
The University provides weather information and notices about whether the University is open. I recommend that everyone read the hurricane preparedness information from the HHS.
Some good links for weather information are Weather Underground and for more models than you can normally find South Florida Water District.
