gbhnews

Live someplace where hurricanes are a regular occurrence? Give Bostonians #advice!

#NewEngland rarely gets hurricanes; for example, the last time #Maine was under hurricane watch was 2008.

So for those of you who live in places where hurricanes arrive more frequently, what advice do you have for us?

#Boston #mawx #HurricaneLee #Massachusetts

Sep 15, 2023 at 12:23pmWeb
Show threadlakeladySep 15, 2023
@gbhnews make sure all of your tech devices that have batteries are fully charged.
Show threadTim W RESISTSSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews make sure you panic buy everything!
Show threadCatherine is not complacentSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews in Maine now but lived all over the place previously.
If you have a well fill the bathtub so you can flush the toilet
Stuff your freezer full, if possible fill empty milk cartons 3/4s full of water this will slow defrosting
Don’t leave candles unattended
You are an adult you should already have flashlights
Stay inside and off the road
Don’t park under a tree
Don’t waste your phone charge
Have your insurance company’s number handy
Show threadHeatherSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews I remember Bob passing through Dover, NH as a kid. Mostly remember my dad taking advantage of the eye of the hurricane passing overhead to go out and grab more wood from the wood pile for our woodstove (so we could cook on). The eerie calm of it then back to business of blowy and rainy.
Show threadSean Boyer 🇵🇸 FREE PALESTINESep 15, 2023

@gbhnews
-Do NOT underestimate the storm!!
-Take it seriously!
-Prepare early (prepare to be stuck at home with no power for 3 days min)
-Stay indoors, away from windows
-Have a battery powered radio to listen for updates

Most importantly, you need what we call #stormChips - potato chips on hand.

Show threadArdeeSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews
Having lived on the coast of Florida as a kid, I remember hurricanes fondly, because we got to tape the windows and camp out in the den. Does no one tape windows anymore? It was supposed to keep flying glass to a minimum. Anyway, my best advice is wait to drive til the roads are not flooded anymore. I stalled out the family station wagon by not waiting more than once.
Show threaderisianriteSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews I’ve lived through enough direct hits, grazings, and tropical storms and…there isn’t really much outside of preparing for loss of power (stock up fridge and freezer, rarely open them, fill bathtub with water if you’re getting a direct hit) and having a couple of days of food if roads are rough.
Show threadmem_somervilleSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews From Floridians, I learned how to use my #EV as backup power.

https://www.evextend.com/Nissan-Leaf-Inverter-Kit-2018-2021.php

EV Extend - Inverter Kit for 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf

EVExtend.com is a maker of electric vehicle solutions for personal and commercial use. Our emergency power backup kit designed for the Chevrolet Volt provides wiring for up to 1500W of power with 3000W surge when you need it. Paired with an inverter, this solution provides quick reaction power to power critical appliances in a blackout, or provide accessory power when away from the power grid.

Show threadMsMeropeSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews this is more from the experience of wild fire but it still applies: if you are told to evacuate- do it. If you have very young, very old people or pets leave early. And leave in the light- not at night.

You don’t have to wait to be told to leave: if you feel unsafe - evacuate!
Show threadKaren E. Lund 💙💛Sep 15, 2023

@gbhnews 1. Keep your digital devices (esp communications) fully charged.

2. Know your chance of evacuation & where to go it you need to. (And double-check frequently.)

3. If not expecting to evacuate, stock up on food, but only what can be stored & prepared without electricity.

4. Consider if anyone in your family/household has special needs during & after the storm due to illness, injury, disability, etc.

5. Check on family, friends & neighbors who may need assistance.

#HurricaneLee

Show threadThe Gneech! Awww YeahSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews Most of the time it is just a scary big storm. Bring any lawn furniture or decorations inside, don't park cars under trees, and during the storm be careful around windows. If flooding is a danger, go to a hotel or stay with friends/family on higher ground.
Show threadZeiros LionSep 15, 2023
@the_gneech
@gbhnews Pretty much this. Also, your power grid will definitely feel it. Prepare for at least a couple days of no power, especially since hurricanes aren't usually on the menu for y'all. Non perishable food is your best friend also
Show threadRobin HoodSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews clean your gutters. Make sure the culverts in your neighborhood are free of debris. If you have a chainsaw, test run it for a few minutes. If you have a pickup truck open the drains in the bed. Make sure you know where your ratchet straps, rope, and tarps are. Wear a headlamp around your neck when you sleep, so it’s easy to find. Put a flashlight near the door in each room. Fill your tub with clean water, so you can flush your toilets. Open the taps on your rain barrels if you’ve got them.

Look after your friends and neighbors

Good luck out there! 💘

Show threadNeveranRSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews Pay attention to advisories for your local area and follow them!! Don’t get wrapped up in the TV weather shows doom and gloom stories. Unless the center, “eye” of the storm directly hits you the winds will not be at their highest. Pay attention to flood and evacuation advisories!
Show threadtime abolitionistSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews bring in any shit you've got on your porch/lawn/whatever outdoor area. Got flower pots or lightweight chairs or things of that nature? Put them inside. Depending on wind speed that stuff can and will go flying, causing problems for yourself and others.
Show threadRynUfeSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews FEMA is not your friend.

Anyways, other helpful advice:

https://www.imaginewaterworks.org/2023-hurricane-season-guide/ (English and Spanish)

Show threadZeiros LionSep 15, 2023

@Ryntastic @gbhnews ABSOLUTELY THIS.

We don't forget Brownie in this house.

Show threadrhempelSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews do not f#ck around - if you are in a low lying part of Boston camp out with some friends on high ground. Don't wait until the last minute to get out, and don't go to the ocean to "see the big waves'

In the immortal words of Ron White's hurricane bit:

It's not that the wind is blowing ... it's what the wind.is blowing!

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DS7Fu-v490-c&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiD5fis_6yBAxVrkokEHRskD1YQtwJ6BAgLEAE&usg=AOvVaw2tPFpYPU3OOZMo7yR9mpdr

Ron White - Hurricane

YouTube
Show threadptrourkeSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews As someone who was in Boston for Gloria: stay away from 200 Clarendon - the wind along Clarendon and Trinity Place will be unbelievable.
Show threadRay ☭Sep 15, 2023

@gbhnews Lots of great advice here already.

I’d like to add, if it wasn’t obvious enough, to stay out of the water if there’s flooding. That storm water is gross and nasty, so avoid it. Don’t drive in floodwater unless you absolutely have to and if you do, be mindful of the wake your vehicle is creating.

Show threadWayne’s The Name!!!😁Sep 15, 2023
@gbhnews Thought Maryland may have been getting another Hurricane Agnes. Stay safe New England
Show threadCapt. TonySep 15, 2023
@gbhnews Speaking from S FL; PREPARE, the wind is destructive; but the water can be deadly; don't underestimate the surge or flash flooding from the rainfall. If you live near a stream or river, or someplace water tends to pool in a summer storm, relocate to higher ground until it's safe to go back. Have cash, and a full gas tank, and supplies for your immediate party for several days or more, as well as important documents, put those in a large sip top bag to keep them dry.
Show threadWe Can Be GyrosSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews wind will determine severity. Watch wind speeds and where the eye is in relation to you. Don't go outside even if the eye is right above you and it's calm.
Show threadPeggy Heinkel-WolfeSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews

Lessons learned from Harvey: Put family heirlooms (photos, etc.) in the attic. Be prepared to evacuate/occupy the second floor or attic, including how you will get your pets up there. If your home floods, pretty much whatever the water touches is ruined. Don't even try to dry out, or you will have a mold compounding your problem. Pull up carpet, take all upholstered items to the curb. Immediately remove wallboard up past the water line. Then dry out the house. And when you rebuild, consider tile flooring and solid wood furniture. Those things survive.

Show threadEdgeSep 15, 2023

@gbhnews @TexasObserver

Have bottled water & easy food for a few days. Don’t count on power or internet. Have batteries & candles. Charge your phone & other electronics (& have a way to recharge.) If you’ve never had a generator don’t get one now. Have books & toys for kids. Get important Rx. If there’s a chance you need to evacuate your location, be packed & ready to go. Many shelters wont take pets. If you get separated from your family, have someone out of the area everyone knows to check in with.

Show threadTaylorSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews as a former NC resident, if you can’t get bread tortillas will work in a pinch for food. Canned fruit and protein drinks are also underrated. Make sure you have batteries for all devices, stock up on water if possible. If you have water bottles fill those up and freeze them beforehand. Also have tools like saws that can be used to remove fallen branches, otherwise pull cash as you may have neighbors who can offer services and ATMs will most likely be down
Show threadColin HartSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews but also boston is only supposed to get between .1-.25 inches of rain and gusts of 40mph. Per NWS Boston
Show threadsadele2Sep 15, 2023

@gbhnews

Going to a shelter for me was better than sitting at home listening to every wind gust, tree creak & checking every few minutes to see if tidal creek was getting close to the house. Bring a power strip. My shelter had air mattresses on the school gym floor: some people couldn't get down on the floor so had to seek shelter elsewhere where they had cots.

Show threadQRSS_TestSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews Have at least one AM/FM battery powered radio on hand. Do not store it with batteries in it since you will forget about it, and the batteries will eventually leak and possibly ruin it.
Show threadSteven HiltonSep 15, 2023
@gbhnews
* make sure your meds are update to date and stocked
* Have fresh water and un-refrigerated food supply for at least three days
* have candles, lanterns or batteries for flash lights for several days.
* Have a battery powered radio. * Have enough toilet paper.
* have tarps or other waterproof coverings in case of damage
Show threadPeaceful WatersSep 16, 2023
@gbhnews
Freeze a cup of water in your freezer before the storm. Once the water is frozen, put a coin (penny, dime, etc) on top of the block of ice in the cup. If your power goes out for an extended amount of time, open freezer once it is cold again. If coin is still near top of ice, your food is still good. If it is half way down or at the bottom of the cup, your freezer was too warm and your food has spoiled. Throw it out. Great trick if you evacuate and don’t know how long power was out.
Show threadAmpeliosSep 17, 2023

@gbhnews Late to the party but I have been laughed at by New Englanders before:

If you have a bathtub, fill it up. No, you won't want to drink out of it, but you DO want to be able to flush your toilet, right?

Show threadMax 🌆🏳️‍🌈⛵️Sep 17, 2023
@gbhnews late, but: Prepared for extended power outages, have 3 days of dry shelf stable food, water, flashlight (standard emergency plan). You cannot rely on it being cold outside like in winter, so if the power goes out, opening the fridge will make it warm pretty quick and it's too warm to put stuff out. Listen to the NWS. Do not venture into flood waters