Things to do when bad storms coming

[Tradd]

I don’t remember where I first read this, but it makes so much sense.

When bad storms are forecast, make sure to have all your laundry done and run the dishwasher (if you have one) or make sure the dishes are done. That way, if you lose power, you’ll at least have clean clothes and dishes for a while.

I always do this. It takes a lot off my mind.

This is in addition to everything else: make sure you have fresh batteries in flashlights/lanterns, backup battery packs for electronics are fully charged, etc.

[ToomuchStuff]

Not always possible, nor would I always want electronic stuff running when lightening is going to be bad. I did lose a computer when lightening once hit the house, and it was on a dedicated circuit (that was the only thing hit/damaged, amazingly). I also have had lightening hit the transformer for the house, 30 feet from me (surprised I didn't pitch those pants). Felt a bit of a tingle in the air from that one.

That doesn't even cover the ice/snow storm we had years back where I changed the 100 year old neighbors oxygen tank. Thankfully, she was still on a gravity furnace, as her house stayed in the mid 50's, while we were without power longer then others. I used a washboard and lined dried my clothes in the basement, when I was able to drive back to work.

[Tradd]

Um, BEFORE the storms start.

[happystuff]

No dishwasher, but definitely wash the clothes before pending bad weather.

[nswef]

I try to make sure I've washed my hair and bathed!

[Tradd]

I try to make sure I've washed my hair and bathed!

Yes, that too!

[hana]

When doing laundry before bad weather, I always prioritize socks and underwear. I do the same thing once there's confirmation a hurricane's cone of uncertainty involves the East coast. I keep camping lamps on our nightstands in our bedroom and in the guest room in addition to the living room and kitchen. Have a headlamp in case I need to use my hands.

The big storm is hitting my area tomorrow so I have socks and underwear in the laundry, and will run the dishwasher earlier then usual. It's generally the last thing I start before going to bed.

Back up chargers currently charging, and I have my bug our bag by my desk so all I have to do is unplug my laptop if I have to run to the basement.

[catherine]

Hmmm... when I've been in bad storms (i.e., I was in Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy) I didn't really care if my clothes were clean or my hair was washed. My bad! We just lit candles, and used flashlights to check out the damage outdoors. To that point, my big concern when storms are on the horizon are, do I have batteries, candles, and my NOAA emergency radio? I fill bathtubs and pots with water and make sure my extra phone battery packs, computers and iPads are charged up.

So far that's all I've needed, but my outages didn't last more than a couple of days.

[jp1]

How common is it for everyone to lose power during storms? I realize that I have lived my whole life in big cities and in many places have had buried power lines which are generally more reliable, but I could be a quadruple amputee and still have enough toes and fingers to count the number of times the power has been out longer than a few minutes due to weather.

[iris lilies]

Seldom did we loose it when we lived in the city of STL on our side of the neighborhood. The other side was out of power for several days one time.

here in Hermann, I’ve only experienced power flickering off and on.