Frankenstorm is Coming!

[lagilman]

So by now, everyone on the US East Coast, at least, has heard about Frankenstorm, the combination of Hurricane Sandy, a full moon, and another existing storm front that's bearing down on, well, the northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston, and then up into the Mainelands.

Yeah, I'm smack dab in the middle of that corridor.

The last time this sort of alarm went up, it was for Irene, which was... well, it was really bad just north of us. But not here, where NYC seemed to dodge the slap. Do I think we're going to dodge it again? I have no idea. Experience says yes, but my gut's saying no. And since the so-called "Perfect Storm" of legend came from similar ingredients... I'm not taking any chances.

That said, my idea of "not taking chances" does not involve a French Toast alert, or any other kind of lunacy. My New Englander bloodlines would rise up and strangle me if it did.

So, the things I have learned, over years of buckling down for Nor'easters, blizzards, and hurricanes?

Yeah, have lots of bottled water and civilian MREs, and fresh batteries for your flashlight, absolutely. But also:

* Run the dishwasher just before the storm hits. You don't want filthy dishes sitting around for days, if you lose power.
* Make sure you have clean laundry. Clean socks and underwear can really make a difference to your morale.
* Have cornstarch on hand. No, not for cooking: it doubles down as a dry shampoo, if you lose water.
* Make sure there's enough dry pet food. Trust me on this.
* Make an extra pot of coffee and put it in the fridge. The last thing you want to deal with if the power goes out is a caffeine withdrawal headache.

So what tricks and must-dos have y'all picked up, over the years?



(and yes, I am well aware that this storm is supposed to be happening when many of us were planning to leave for WFC in Toronto. We'll worry about that particular potential disaster NEXT week).

Comments

[cepetit.myopenid.com (from livejournal.com)]

Make sure that all prescription medicines have at least a one-week supply, and that you have a good stock of nonprescription stuff that you use often. If the power is out, the computer system at the pharmacy where you expect to get your meds -- you know, the one that stores your prescription -- is likely to be out too... and migraines are bad enough when you have your meds (both prescription and nonprescription) and you're not stuck without power.

Of course, the same goes for any pet meds, even the "routine" ones like heartworm. Keep 'em on their routines!

[lagilman]

The only problem with that, of course, is that many insurance programs won't let you 'pre order' until their schedule says you need it/are due...