We now all keep a pair of jeans and sturdy slip on shoes next to our beds so we are ready to go in 5 minutes flat.Ī few other changes we made to our preparations. Several deep cycle batteries connected to a power inverter. We also built a battery bank for backup power. 20 pound propane tanks were available, though. Gasoline was scarce for weeks after the storm and rationed.
#OR LOST IN THE STORM GENERATOR#
Over the next couple of years we invested a wood burning stove and a generator that could run on either gasoline or propane. We planned where we could meet and who we might call for information. Perhaps next time an emergency struck, we might not all be home. The first thing we did was to make a plan in case we got separated.
We had plenty of fresh water in the water tank, fortunately, and every drop of water we consumed went first through our counter top purification system.Īfter the house was rebuilt and the storm was mostly behind us, we made lists of things that we could have done better. Since we have a private well and use an electric well pump, we had no running water. We had to stay in the house since the roads were impassable and dangerous. We were able to check on our neighbors and offer what assistance we could. We had no intention of clearing the road of trees, it was too dangerous since the power lines crisscrossed everywhere. We made sure the propane tank was shut off and every appliance was unplugged. Clearing the driveway and property of downed trees and debris took several days. Once the storm passed, we had to assess the damage. I think there might have been a tornado along with the hurricane because some trees were twisted in half and not just blown down in one direction. Trees and down power lines blocked our street so we had to shelter in place and tough it out. We had a few battery powered LED lanterns lit because the power was out.
#OR LOST IN THE STORM WINDOWS#
We gathered the kids to the center of the little house as far from windows as we could get. An old garden trellis, made from large timbers took the brunt of the force and probably saved her life. Our daughter was watching the storm just as the wind hit and a huge tree blew down and landed directly on the roof above her room. Several large conifers fell on top of our house, partially crushing the roof. Trees blew down and ripped out the power lines to our house. Just when we thought that it was as bad as it could get, the wind picked up even more. When the storm hit, the winds kept getting stronger. Bugging out was not an option, at least by car. But we were not prepared for the intensity of this storm. Even our dog had his saddle bags packed with his food and supplies. We had waterproof canoeing “go-bags” ready and we had a 625 gallon above ground water storage tank and a good non-electric water purification system. We knew the storm was approaching quickly and it was going to be severe. We have always made some preparations in case of emergencies but we had a lot to learn about being ready for a situation like this. We had thought that since we lived a couple of hours inland and over 1000 feet higher than sea level, we were fairly safe. In November of 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit our forested property near the Delaware River in New York.
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