Hurricane Hanna

I live in south Florida and, as it stands now, we may get some wind and rain from Hanna unless she wavers more to the west. I've been through a couple of hurricanes and they're all scary but you can prepare and you will have a lot of time to get out if it looks like it's going to be bad. I strongly suggest that you take the advice of your local leaders and leave if they think you should. Make sure you have some idea of where you are going to go if you leave and, if you have pets, make sure that you have supplies for them and that they're allowed where you're going. When we had to evacuate a few years ago we went to a motel out of the path of the storm instead of going to a shelter because we had pets. While you have the time you should get a large plastic container to put all of your important papers in and also pack some clothes incase you have to get out fast. Make sure you have a battery operated radio, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, a propane lantern or latern style flashlight and a separate container to keep medications in. Peanut butter and jelly are handy to have. I usually keep hamburger patties and hotdogs in the freezer incase we lose power because we can cook them on the grill. Those little jug drinks are good warm or cold so I stock up on those. Try not to be too scared. The storm is going to do what it's going to do, you have no control over that but you do have options for minimizing the damage to your home. Secure and put away anything that can blow around or break. Board up windows and take pictures down from the walls. Either take them with you or put them in an interior closet. Before you leave, or if you're there when the storm arrives, turn of your air conditioner and unplug your computer. If you have important information on it, or irreplacable pictures, either take the CPU with you or put it in an interior closet. Feel free to PM me if you need anything and good luck.

To busy dealing with Gustav today to even know where Hanna is at. Last I heard though once Gustav is out of the Gulf Hanna may totally change her path. So I'm sure if the wind and rain from Gustav Hanna will be the next storm of interest.

Living in Miami means dealing with at least occasiona hurricanes. The news is on TV as I write this, and they're saying Hanna just might hit us. We're in what they call the Cone of Concern. I'm glad my hurricane shutters are still shut from Fay, but the really important preparations are, more importantly, in place. I have a small propane stove, battery-operated radios, tvs, and fans, and I've made the icemaker in the fridge work overtime, so that every inch of the freezer that isn't full of food is full of ice. That makes the food last longer if we lose power, and as it melts, it's fresh cold water. I have a couple of 24-packs of bottled water, and this is the only time there's ever canned food in my house. There needs to be at least three days of every kind of supplies each person needs, but having survived Hurricane Andrew, I make sure we each have at least a week's worth. If you're hit, no matter how well windows are sealed up, go to the safest place in your house, which is usually a bathroom, hopefully without windows. Don't use candles for light, as their fumes can become dangerous in an enclosed space, and fires start too easily. Use flashlights only. If there's any way you can do it, try to sleep in the bathtub until the thing passes. The sound of a hurricane are so horrible, you'll just be more frightened than ever. Stay calm, and try to sleep. Oh, and don't forget to bring in everything from outside, like planters, lawn chairs, even hoses, as they can easily become missiles and damage people and property. Most importantly, if your county says to be prepared to evacuate, get out as soon as you can, before the traffic gets so heavy that you can't really go anywhere! Good luck. You'll be in our prayers.

I live in North FL and looks like we may get some of the storm. There's another one out there we need to watch too. Should know by Wed or Thur where they are going. Be careful and I hope it doesn't get too bad where you are.