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

[quarkwiz.livejournal.com]

I've started making ice in case the power goes out so we can pack the fridge contents in coolers. The stuff in the freezer (as we learned after last year's Snowtober storm) can last two days or maybe even more. Also, I'm thinking we'd better make sure we exchange any empty propane tanks for full ones. Hm, and I should throw a tarp over the bit of firewood we have from last year so we can use the woodstove if it gets really cold. I'm glad this isn't scheduled to hit us till the very end of the weekend so we have enough time to really prep!

The supermarkets are going to be INSANE. I'm not going anywhere near them tonight; everyone will be stopping by on the way home from work. I will go super-early tomorrow morning, though, as I usually do anyway. The regular earlybirds will be there, but other people who think they know what "early" is generally don't show up till after 7 when storms are scaring everyone into this crap.

Oh yeah, and leave the (electric) garage door open. Don't want the car trapped in there.

[lagilman]

I went out this morning to get more cat food, and cheese and crackers. My plan is to spend the entire storm indoors, working. Cheese, crackers, wine and salumi are required. :-)

[gonzai55.livejournal.com]

I just got back from Michael's - craft stores are a good place to look for batteries, candles and such forth, it's not the first place most people think of so the batteries are around a little longer than other places. Jar candles are reasonably safe and they provide ambient light.