AS an OTR Driver, I do my best to stay out of harms way with the truck and trailer, and this morning, before leaving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, with a load going west, I sent a simple text to be safe and my prayers are with you. I stopped short of the Illinois state line for the night, and like many end of driving days, I watch the news. Tonight’s (10/27/12) news, mostly about Hurricane Sandy. I am compelled to write a Blog, right after I listened to a post recorded Declaration of evacuation from New Jersey Governor Christie. You can find it online (I found it on http://www.msnbc.com). The Governor made the following statements that echo with me now:
- The Storm is not to be ignored, and it is advised to evacuate along the beach areas. First safe place should be at one’s home; except those in the evacuation areas, where their “Safe Haven” is at the Counties established shelters (each county will have a list of locations). These shelters are everyone else’s second best choice.
- When the storm comes in, state repair crews will not go out if high winds are as intense as predicted. You may be without power for more than a day.
- When the storm arrives stay off the roadways, and inside shelters.
- Have plenty of food and rations for a few days.
This is serious. Serious enough for me to sit and submit some suggested notes and warnings. If nothing else, my suggestions will be something you consider and dismiss, or might spark a better plan.
Have a Prepared back pack and suitcase.
I put this at the top of the list, since although it was stated no one should go outside, if your Safe Haven becomes a danger, running to your neighbor’s place might be your only resort. Have a couple of days clothing, a ration of hygiene products, and a blanket in the suitcase. Have batteries and a flashlights, a portable battery powered radio, and other tools in the backpack. Use the backpack for a simple first aid kit, such as band aids, hydrogen Peroxide, and bandages. A pocket knife and a hammer may be included as additional tools. This package is for the most extreme need to leave your shelter, and only if your shelter becomes a danger to stay in. If windows are not boarded, broken glass does not count as a reason to evacuate. Avoid using the room, and use other areas of the home.
Since the power may be out, and for more than a day, do not stock up on perishable foods (they will eventually spoil), instead, buy canned processed foods such as Chef Boy Radii spaghetti & Meatballs, Peaches and other canned fruits, dry cereals, and even Maruchan Ramen soup mix packages. Although not tasty when cold and simply adding water, or eating from a can, they are edible as it is…for emergencies like this. Have a gallon of water for each day, and with this storm, plan on four days. The last sentence about cold foods eaten is simply for this reason, if power is out, any open flame, and even the oven should not be used, especially as a heat source for the home. Don’t use candles as a light source. Flashlights and battery operated lanterns are affordable; and the “light emitting diode (L.E.D.)” flashlights last longer on batteries. Let’s face it, if you are told to stay put, you need to avoid any accidents and dangers. If a fire breaks out, you may not have a phone connection, and now you have to evacuate your Safe Shelter. If ignored, at least buy a couple of fire extinguishers. Keep the suitcase and backpack near your door.
If you did not use Saturday to prepare the outside of your home from flying branches, then use Sunday to purchase some emergency repair supplies. Two rolls of duct tape, and plastic flooring would come in handy for a broken window, to limit the wind blowing in. Still, avoid using that room. Buy enough plastic to not only cover the broken window, but to seal off the doorway to the room.
Stay off the roads…Stay inside
There have been, and will be those who wish to “experience” the storm. The wind gusts of 80 mph., can toss vehicle of any size, to include semi trucks. If a vehicle can be tossed, a human body can be pushed and dragged along the ground. The real concerns are not only fallen electrical lines, that may still be live wires, and trees, but simply you. If you get stuck in an accident, someone has to risk themselves to reach you, and that’s if someone knows you are there. 50 lives have been reported lost in the islands from this very storm before reaching our coast lines. That count was after the storm had passed. Choose your Safe location now, and stay inside.
The best plan for preparedness is always before anything occurs
There are two websites I list, the first Governor Christie mentioned:
The storm can already be felt coming in along the coast. But its real fury is planned for Monday. Use Sunday to get your local paper and see if a shelter plan is listed in your county. You can also arrive to your nearest police station, and try your nearest hospital, who may also have that information. Do not use 911 to simply obtain information. Another possible resource is your local fire and ambulance squad houses.
No one actually dies from boredom
The battery strength period of a laptop is 1-2.5 hours. If power goes out, you probably won’t have an internet connection, since routers need electricity. Cell phones last longer, and if you have more than one, designate one for emergencies only (when internet connection comes back). Board games still pass the time, and so does a good book. Sing songs on played on the radio, but stay diligent to listening to news that typically start at the beginning of every hour.
I finish with what I started on Saturday Morning, please be safe, and my prayers are with you all. Who knows, maybe the weather stations have it wrong. Don’t wait. Be prepared, and not scared.
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