If you lived in a severe inclement weather area, would YOU be prepared??

[Shockwave]

I just dont understand it. If I lived someplace that suffered severe bad weather such as Florida (hurricanes) I'd be prepared all the time. Why is it every time a hurricane comes along theres this huge run on generators and plywood?? Do people not put ANY planning into this thing called life?!
if it were me, I'd have xtra plywood, a generator with extra gas and canned food good for a week as well as a 50 gallon drum of freshwater. All that would set you back 800 bucks, a good bit more if you went with a Super-rator (Big generator).

Why do people not plan for these things?! 😕

 

[Rightwinger]

Generators are getting really expensive, really quickly.

Plywood is ungodly expensive.

People plan but some people could care less. Its mostly an apathy thing.

I do have 15 gallons of extra gas. Thanfully I tanked up last night, 9/10 stations are out of gas and there's a 20 minute wait to tank up at the stations that are still pumping.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What kind of generator would it take to run a central A/C unit?

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
What kind of generator would it take to run a central A/C unit?

That would be the Super-rator kind (In terms of residential). Look at the current draw of your unit. Then find a generator that can handle it. Remember to factor in startup load, which is sufficiently higher then normal operating current.
You'd be better served to get a small generator then run fans or a window unit AC.

But, in off peak demand times (Such as, spring) isnt plywood and generators reasonably priced? I can get a sheet of plywood for what, 8 bucks. It'd be WELL worth my time to go buy 10 sheets and just set them in the garage, rather then wait till 3 days before Bertha is hard chargin at me and have to fight the crowds and higher prices.

 

[Rightwinger]

8 bucks? LOL. This is a 4x8 sheet, right?

I saw a place 20 minutes from my house selling them at $35 each.

You can put a hard start capacitors to start your compressor to ease up on the initial load. Most central air units are running on 220 volts, so its a sizeable load.

 

[Rightwinger]

Ok, I checked a product sheet.

a 3.5 ton central AC unit from Carrier runs off a 208v, min 187v max 235v with 13.5 rated load amps.

 

Plywood is very expensive right now. The demand for it is not going to decrease either. It's also not the easiest thing to keep stored for that one time every 5 years that you need it.
A generator is a hard decision buy why you're only going to use it once every few years, if that.

When I lived in florida we always had fresh water bottled, mostly because you don't want to drink that ass tap water they have there.

I am prepared for the cold weather climate I live in currently.

 

[shiner]

Live right in the middle of tornado alley. Have a proper storm celler, more of a bunker really 😉, and every spring before tornado season I make sure it's fully stocked. Water, food, radio, portable TV, extra batteries, etc, etc, etc.... Bought a generator last year after a snow/ice storm had a lot of folks without power for a few days.

 

[TitanDiddly]

I'd get a bunch of surplus 12v batteries and an inverter, cheaper than a generator.
I'd pick up a 55 gallon Amine drum or two from the local hospital, clean em out and fill with water, add aerobic oxygen, and seal. Also, buy a cheap bung pump.
My tiny system(for low power consumption)
Canned goods++.
MP3 player.
Books.

 

[Shockwave]

3/8" 4x8' if around 15 bucks here per Lowes website.
Shiner has the right idea. Prepare for where you live.

I agree with Sampson, its hard to swallow the cost of a generator for something you *might* need. I dont have one, but I do have a fireplace and warm blankets. I live in a cold winter climate.

It just seems ridiculous that every year when the hurricanes come people are running out and buying plywood, water, food and possibly generators. Its like they FORGET what happened the last time. And they forget over and over and over.......

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
3/8" 4x8' if around 15 bucks here per Lowes website.
Shiner has the right idea. Prepare for where you live.

I agree with Sampson, its hard to swallow the cost of a generator for something you *might* need. I dont have one, but I do have a fireplace and warm blankets. I live in a cold winter climate.

It just seems ridiculous that every year when the hurricanes come people are running out and buying plywood, water, food and possibly generators. Its like they FORGET what happened the last time. And they forget over and over and over.......

..or return the generator after the storm. 😀

 

[Rightwinger]

Lowes and home depot were mobbed when I passed by earlier today.

If there's plywood to be found, its going to be at least $20 a sheet.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Rightwinger
Ok, I checked a product sheet.

a 3.5 ton central AC unit from Carrier runs off a 208v, min 187v max 235v with 13.5 rated load amps.

I have a 4 ton unit but I live in SoCal. I have zero worries about hurricanes hitting this area.

 

[desy]

Air conditioning is essential for survival?
Well anyway
I've always got 50 gallons of water available in the hot water heater.
I boought an indoor safe propane heater good for about 250 sq ft and a single 20 lb bottle would last about 3 days on the low setting.
So I have two bottles on the go, I'd seal off the master bedroom and on-suite and live out of there in the winter.
Big bag of those tea light candles that burn about 4 hrs per candle 100 or so candles.

Always have lots of food in the pantry and freezer

I need to buy a propane burner rather than BBQ everything, maybe a propane lamp, and a SW/AM/FM crankable radio.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Why do people not plan for these things?! 😕

You do not prepare for a direct hurricane strike above a Category 3. The sensible thing to do is leave.

Have you seen some of the devastation in Florida? Plywood and generators unfortunately would not be of much use. The water and canned goods are only useful if you stay, or plan on making them transportable. Most are prepared in advance for the inconveniences that can accompany a nearby strike (loss of power, unsafe water, etc), in which case those items are of some use; however, typically those areas outside the devastation are only effected a day or two with those inconveniences, if that.

Lived in Florida for over fifteen years, and had seen some awful storms (including Andrew). Parents still live near the eastern coast, one hour south of Daytona (in the middle of the predicted path of Frances). They most assuredly will not require those items mentioned above as they will not be at home during this storm.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: Shockwave
Why do people not plan for these things?! 😕

You do not prepare for a direct hurricane strike above a Category 3. The sensible thing to do is leave.

Have you seen some of the devastation in Florida? Plywood and generators unfortunately would not be of much use. The water and canned goods are only useful if you stay, or plan on making them transportable. Most are prepared in advance for the inconveniences that can accompany a nearby strike (loss of power, unsafe water, etc), in which case those items are of some use; however, typically those areas outside the devastation are only effected a day or two with those inconveniences, if that.

Lived in Florida for over fifteen years, and had seen some awful storms (including Andrew). Parents still live near the eastern coast, one hour south of Daytona (in the middle of the predicted path of Frances). They most assuredly will not require those items mentioned above as they will not be at home during this storm.

I've never been through a hurricane, so i wouldnt know when to leave or when to stay. My gut says hunker down and ride it out. Thats under the assumption I'm not living in a cracker jack box that would blow away however.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I've never been through a hurricane, so i wouldnt know when to leave or when to stay.

That is precisely the point.

Minor strikes (tropical depressions, tropical storms, etc) are rather painless to ride out, as are low level category hurricanes. They consist of mostly hoards of rain, with some minor (under 70 mph) wind.

Riding out a Category 4 or 5 strike is really tantamount to driving while intoxicated - it is a risk that can be prevented, in most cases.

 

[TitanDiddly]

An underground bunker sounds like a good idea to me if you live in one of these areas. A nice little garage/tool shed and an enclosed porch would be good. Then surface-level skylights, coverable in the event of a storm. Safe. Paranoia.