Irma Survival Tips

Weather Channel imagery of Irma, 9/8/2017

So Irma is a thing, and I thought I’d share my supply list and survival strategy for any other gluten-free people who live in hurricane-prone areas.

Evacuation
1. We live in a wood frame house, and are going to a concrete block hotel. If you ever have the option to get out of the storm’s path, or at least get somewhere safer than your own home, take it. Try to book early at a hotel with a central indoor hallway, and practice your tornado drills.
2. If you can’t leave for some reason (pets, elderly/disabled, evacuation routes already gridlocked, etc.), batten down the hatches. Ensure hurricane straps are in good condition, board windows, clear debris from yard and storm drains, etc.
3. Pack up cable equipment. Comcast is evil and will bill you for loss of their equipment if your house is destroyed. Take it with you if evacuating, store it somewhere safe if you’re hunkering down.
4. DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE HOME!!!
Memories
1. Photos are all that matters. Place all photos in plastic bags and put the bags into plastic bins and bring them with you when you evacuate, or store in a central hallway or room of your home.
2. If it isn’t portable, chalk it up to a loss, and count your blessings if the armoire with your great grandmother’s wedding dress survives the storm. You can only make new memories if you’re alive, and you can’t waste time trying to figure out how to evacuate with bulky furniture.
Supplies
1. Expect to lose power. Get batteries, charge up all your devices, Ziploc all your cords, test your flashlights, etc.
2. Don’t forget to bring all your medications. You may not be able to go home for several days.
3. Hurricanes are really boring once the power goes out. Bring board games, books, crossword or sudoku puzzles, and battery-operated entertainment.
4. Pack at least a week’s worth of clothes. You may not be able to do laundry for a while. You may also find yourself out of a job. Pack a job interview outfit along with a few daily outfits, yard work and cleanup clothes, PJs, and double up on underwear and socks. Days without power after a hurricane are extra sweaty. Also, pack shoes.
5. Toiletries: get some “dry” products in addition to your regular toiletries. Dry shampoo, shower body wipes, facial wipes, extra deodorant, etc. You may need to clean up on the go, and you may not have access to a shower.
Food
1. You’re probably not going to have power for a few days, which means no oven, no stove, no crockpot. Even with a grill, you still need to safely store ingredients and cooked items.
2. Shelf-stable stuff will be the base upon which you build your menu options. Chips, Cheetos, gluten-free crackers and pretzels, gluten-free cereals and snack bars, etc. Stock up on this stuff.
3. Some meats can be stored at room temperature until opened like pepperoni, summer sausage, etc. Also, beef jerky. Oberto has gluten-free jerky.
4. For dairy, look for shelf-stable options like Parmalat or evaporated milk. You could also go with non-dairy options for things like coffee creamer.
5. Fresh produce is tricky, especially if you’re on a boil water notice and have no power to run the dishwasher. You may not be able to easily wash things like lettuce. If you slice tomatoes or onions for a sandwich, washing knives and cutting boards for raw ingredients may not be possible.
6. Bourbon is my adult beverage of choice. I may also grab some cider or root beer, depending on what’s still available at the store. After you’ve stocked up on water to survive the storm, stock up on alcohol to survive your family.
7. What I’m doing is packing a cooler of items for a few days like milk, pre-sliced produce, gluten-free bread, cheese, some deli meats, etc. I can pour the ice from the freezer over, and it’ll all keep for a couple days. I’ll prepare a box for non-perishables like chips and crackers, and can at least ride out the storm itself without starving to death.
Generators
1. If you have a generator, test it regularly. Then prepare for the storm anyway, because a tree could fall on your generator.
2. Even with a generator, your home will probably be placed under a boil water notice after the storm. Stock up on water ahead of time.
3. DON’T USE GAS-POWERED GENERATORS INDOORS!!! Carbon dioxide/monoxide will kill you before you even realize you’re dying. You’ll fall asleep and your family will find your body the next day, sitting in your favorite chair in the living room as if you were just taking a nap.

Sorry to end my list on such a morbid note, but people die every year from running their gas-powered generators indoors. So I’m really not sorry if I can make someone aware of the danger.

Anyway, those are the basics for surviving the storm. Everything boils down to preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I won’t be updating on social media a whole lot, because I have to prep, and then I have to conserve my charges until I find a steady source of power for recharging after. But I will let you know occasionally that I’m alive, and the extent of the damage once Irma passes through. Stay safe, everyone!

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https://www.gofundme.com/Deglutenizer-Consultation

Jamie

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