How does the average person in the path of the hurricane prepare?

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
I live in Indiana so I have no idea how you prepare. How do most people prepare for a hurricane, specifically one with the force of Katrina?

Of course you don't leave things like hoses lying out around outside, but what about windows and such?
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
During Hugo, we just taped the windows, put all outside items in the garage, nailed the fence gate shut, and bought lots of batteries, water, canned food, gasoline, propane, and charcoal.
 

JohnCU

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
16,528
4
0
Originally posted by: minendo
During Hugo, we just taped the windows, put all outside items in the garage, nailed the fence gate shut, and bought lots of batteries, water, and canned food.

 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Secure anything that could fly away - tape/board up windows -move valuables to high places if you anticipate flooding - etc :p
 

wildcat86

Banned
Aug 14, 2005
351
0
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taping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Originally posted by: wildcat86
tapping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew

Taping the windows left all of our windows undamaged during Hugo. Our neighbors who chose not to can not say the same. Plus taping is directed more at preventing shattering.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Fasten all seatbelts, seal all entrances and exits, close all shops in the mall, cancel the three ring circus, secure all animals in the zoo!
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
Get the pool toys out the pool. Remove the bird seed from the feeder, it will get all over your yard and sprout various weeds.

Thats all my advice, have fun.
 

wildcat86

Banned
Aug 14, 2005
351
0
0
Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: wildcat86
tapping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew

Taping the windows left all of our windows undamaged during Hugo. Our neighbors who chose not to can not say the same. Plus taping is directed more at preventing shattering.

i dont think shattering is really a effective when after your windows are blown out by 150 MPH winds and then your roof is torn straight off your house
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: wildcat86
Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: wildcat86
tapping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew

Taping the windows left all of our windows undamaged during Hugo. Our neighbors who chose not to can not say the same. Plus taping is directed more at preventing shattering.

i dont think shattering is really a effective when after your windows are blown out by 150 MPH winds and then your roof is torn straight off your house

I don't think anyone desagrees with you - at that speed, taping is useless, but if your're EVERYWHERE else and experiencing weaker winds (say tropical force) - If something hits your window and breaks it, you're going to have much less shatter and dispursement of glass than if you had not taped your windows up.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
For something this big?
Just GTFO!

For near misses/glances/<cat 2 storms?
Board windows, ready generator, ready water and food for a couple days.
 

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
I live in FL..

if it's not heading right for us, but still pretty close, we typically put duct-tape on the windows and fill the bath tubs with water. We also get a couple gallons of drinking water. We make sure the flashlights all have batteries and the cars all have full tanks.

My parents (who live further south in FL than me) bought a generator that is powerful enough for their entire house for 24 hours.

 

Liviathan

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2001
2,286
0
0
Originally posted by: wildcat86
taping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew

What part of kendall did you live in? I went through the storm also and it was odd...you would see houses blown to bits and the house next to us nothing.

We had some damage here and there, but nothing huge.
 

wildcat86

Banned
Aug 14, 2005
351
0
0
Originally posted by: Liviathan
Originally posted by: wildcat86
taping windows does nothing...

In South Florida we have specific building codes because of hurricanes and all new homes are required to have metal shutters. Before the storm comes people stock up on canned goods and lots and lots of water.

flashlights and batteries are important, some people get generators

my old house in Kendall, FL was blown away in Hurricane Andrew

What part of kendall did you live in? I went through the storm also and it was odd...you would see houses blown to bits and the house next to us nothing.

We had some damage here and there, but nothing huge.

Country Walk