Hurricane Prepping

 In Beach Smarts, Education

hurricane prepping

It’s hurricane season once again, and living on a sandbar forces us to have a keen awareness of each storm that approaches our little piece of paradise. Although most of us have experience with a storm or two, it’s always good to think ahead and be prepared.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to educate yourself and your loved ones about what to do before a storm makes landfall, and preparing in advance is key. Don’t wait until a hurricane, tropical storm, or nor’easter has landed — essential items will be sold out, and stores and bridges may be closed.

hurricane prepping foodAnd do you evacuate in the event the authorities call for one? Where would you go? What if you can’t get back for a couple of days? What should you pack? These are all things to consider well ahead of time.

However, if you decide to hunker down and stay put, here are a few items to purchase and a couple of to-do items on the hurricane preparedness list that may make the situation a little more doable for you and your family.

Hurricane Prepping – 

What To Purchase:

  • Water – make sure you have enough to drink for a few days. Freeze bottles of water to help keep food cold should the power go out.
  • Brew extra coffee ahead of time and refrigerate. Purchase powdered creamer.
  • Sports drinks, juice boxes, and other beverages that don’t require refrigeration.
  • Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods such as jarred and canned foods, bread, crackers, and peanut butter. If you want to get fancy – olives, room temp variety of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, roast a few heads of garlic that can be spread on some crusty bread.
  • Pieces of fruit, make some granola, hard boil your eggs.
  • Batteries…and then more batteries (keep your receipt, you can always return them if you don’t use them).

e-boardgames-com-2What To Do:

  • Stock some ice in a few coolers in case the power goes out.
  • Gather flashlights and make sure you have fresh batteries.
  • Do your laundry before the storm hits.
  • Take a shower prior to the storm hitting. You never know if the power will go out and/or water may be unavailable.
  • Take your pets out before the weather turns, and also in between as the bands go through.
  • Charge your phones, ipads, and any charging stations you may have.
  • Secure all outdoor furniture, planters, garbage cans, and lawn ornaments.
  • If you are in a flood-prone area, get furniture, appliances, and other household items off the ground if possible. Determine where you can park your car to keep it out of floodwater.
  • Gather candles, board games, decks of cards, coloring books, crafts, and other family activities should the power go out for an extended time.
  • hurricanesLast but certainly not least (actually it should be at the top of this list) – alcohol! Wine, beer vodka, whatever floats your boat. Or be super adventurous, and make Hurricanes for your hurricane party! Recipe here

What NOT To Do:

  • Do not go in the water! You are not Poseidon. Don’t make rescue workers risk their lives to save you from your bad decisions. They want to go home too.

Above all, stay safe, stay calm, and stay sane. It’s all part of life on our sandbar.♦


These are just a few suggestions. For a complete list of ways to prepare, you can easily reference the following websites:

National Hurricane Center

Ready NC

Dare County Emergency Management

Currituck County Emergency Management

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