Preparing for a strong hurricane.

[Pirate King Atomsk]

As some of you already know, I live in south-central Louisiana. And, I'm also *directly* in the projected path of Gustav. At this point, all we can hope is that it hits class 3 or lower and we're on the weak side. So, this morning, we decided to board up the windows, get sandbags, canned foods, batteries, ect.

So, basically, I'm waiting it out. I've been through a few class 3's, and while scary - they aren't generally deadly with the proper precautions.

Also, it goes without saying that I may not be posting for a few days next week if things go badly. lol.

The only thing I'm worried about at this point is it strengthening to a 4 before hitting the coast. If a last-minute evacuation becomes necessary, well...you guys all know what happened during Katrina. Louisiana folk aren't always the kindest to their neighbors in a crisis.

Anyways, I guess I just wanted to let you all know what's up. Any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcome. I think we'll be fine but, you know..these things are pretty unpredictable, and people's actions during them can be even moreso unpredictable. So yeah.

[Frys Girl]

Be careful and be well. I hope it won't be serious. We'll miss you, at least I will. I never gave you a douche!

[EvB]

Do you have bottled water?  Get some, get a LOT. STAY HYDRATED. 

Make sure you have a well-stocked first aide kit. (bandages, anti bacterial washes and ointments, Medical tape (whcih can be used to create a temporarily close in any wound that may require stitches, and also to help wrap sprains)  anelgisics (advil, tylenol etc . .) and antihistemines. Anti nausia and diarea meds too - while your at it - since combating dehydartion is importatnt.  Do you have a lantern that does not require electrical power?  Make sure any cell phones you have are fully charged, and keep them that way.  Go to Radio Shack and get one of those clip on emergency cell phone battery packs for your model of phone.  Keep it near you phone.  When the storm hits - keep them in something water proof. 

If the storm does increase - keep your true friends close.

We'll be here - we'll be thinking of you.  Keep in touch if you can and if not get back in touch when you can. 

Those are the best thoughts I have at the moment.

[Art is the Best]

And don't forget to bring any pets inside. Stock up on candles and matches or lighters. And I'd move valuable stuff to as safe (high) a location as possible if you're expecting flooding where you live. Is that the main concern or is it loss of power? Or both? Be safe! And definitely keep your phone charged like EvB said! Do you have web access on it so you can let us know how you're doing in case you lose power?

[Spikegirl]

Well, I cannot give you any advice that you have not heard already, but I hope you and yours stay safe. Hurricanes are always scary, and the fallout afterwards a pain to deal with. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way. Post if it helps relieve the stress of just sitting in a storm riding it out.

[Pirate King Atomsk]

Well I just got back from the government sandbag place, but I have to go back again tomorrow since there were like 40-something cars there. Plus we're running out of gas in my town. Traffic is insane, too. Bah. Katrina madness.

Anyways, thanks for the help and kind words all...(And thanks to Fry for never douching me yet, too. ) There were definitely a couple things in there I hadn't thought of. Namely lighters and first aid stuff. It just went on the list.

My pet is an inside pet and will be with me, so he's all good. Dexter has plenty of hard food and tuna and water.

Is that the main concern or is it loss of power? Or both? Be safe! And definitely keep your phone charged like EvB said! Do you have web access on it so you can let us know how you're doing in case you lose power?

Flooding and loss of power are the two main concerns now, and they're equal in my mind. Oh, and I *do* have web access on my phone, but it's very slow so we'll see how that works. Generally during a hurricane we experience denial of service on just about everything. Everyone is trying to call/text/e-mail everyone else and it just gets kinda crazy.

Do you have a lantern that does not require electrical power? 

Actually, I have three or four wind-up flashlights that work great from previous hurricanes.  A minute's worth of winding gives like 15-20 minutes of light. They've come in really handy over the years. I totally recommend them to everyone.

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

They are awesome(crank flashlights).  Start filling up the bath tub (if you have one) just in case!  You might need the extra water!

[Pirate King Atomsk]

Yeah, they've saved my ass from falling in the dark loads of times. Haha.

Good call on the bathtub filling. That also just went on the list, which is almost complete as we speak.

Small update, Gustav just became a 4. It's 10MPH from being a 5. 

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

I feel for you man. I've been through a bunch.  The aftermath sucks major donkey balls.

[danDNA]

im hitting the sack now so good luck Pirate King Atomsk, i wish i had asked George to do an intention experiment for you you well. my thoughts will be with you at the very least.

peace bruv

[Pirate King Atomsk]

Hahaha. Thanks guys. I'll be all good. Gustav is a beast but I will survive. 

[Frys Girl]

Are they calling it Gus for short in LA? I hope everything's ok Pirate!

[EvB]

Here is a link for anyone who wants to track Gustav

It's a bit ugly - but so far, it hasn't hit land.

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

This is also a good place to check out. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

[Pirate King Atomsk]

Are they calling it Gus for short in LA?

Strangely, we haven't even thought of that. Lol.

Also strangely..we haven't lost power yet, but we're not in the eye wall until this afternoon so, yeah. Thankfully, it seems to be weakening fast. We may only experience category 1 or 2 conditions.

Aside from power loss and slow flooding, this is looking to be better than we initially expected. We still have a curfew for 3 days though...totally lame. I'll update when I can.

[EvB]

Aside from power loss and slow flooding, this is looking to be better than we initially expected. We still have a curfew for 3 days though...totally lame. I'll update when I can.

Glad to hear Gustav is  loosing speed - and SO glad to see you here today.  Hang in!

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

They're calling it G-Tizzle in L.A.

[Frys Girl]

They're calling it G-Tizzle in L.A.

What will they think of next?

[Pirate King Atomsk]

Well, here's the scoop. "G-Tizzle" was pretty lame. Especially after all the crazy hype the Weather Channel made for it. We only lost power for 24 hours. We also apparently spent a lot of money for really nothing...but, better safe than sorry. And luckily (ironically) there are two more possible hurricanes heading towards the gulf, so we're already prepared and all for those - too. So, the way I see it, we might as well leave the windows boarded up at least until next week. That's what most of my neighbors seem to be doing anyways.

But yeah, definitely thanks a lot for the support everyone. Let's just hope I'm not posting back in this thread next week about another possible cat.4 or cat.5. Lol.

[EvB]

YEAH!

Hey, it better to be ready for an emergency and not have one than to have an emergency and not be ready.

Damn - that sounds lie something GN would say, doesn't it?

[Frys Girl]

Well, here's the scoop. "G-Tizzle" was pretty lame. Especially after all the crazy hype the Weather Channel made for it. We only lost power for 24 hours. We also apparently spent a lot of money for really nothing...but, better safe than sorry. And luckily (ironically) there are two more possible hurricanes heading towards the gulf, so we're already prepared and all for those - too. So, the way I see it, we might as well leave the windows boarded up at least until next week. That's what most of my neighbors seem to be doing anyways.

But yeah, definitely thanks a lot for the support everyone. Let's just hope I'm not posting back in this thread next week about another possible cat.4 or cat.5. Lol.

So glad you're OK. Now get back there and play some WoW!