Well, one week later and things are quite different and better here. We're not sitting in the dark wondering if the plywood on the windows would hold back a two-by-four launched by a mini-tornado.

In fact, we were out of power for maybe nine hours, which in this storm gives me no right to gripe about anything. So, no complaints from me, we're very lucky and happy. I lived through Alicia here and we were without power for a week. The year before or after we had bad tornadoes up off of 1960 and also had the power out for a week. I know it is no fun.

I did a few things to prepare or help that other people have found interesting or helpful.

1. I try to never let my gas tank get below half full. I was able to top up the two cars on the Thursday before the storm (Friday night/Saturday morning). We would have been able to drive on a limited basis for a week before we would have had to fill up.

2. I always have bottles of water in the freezer. They are great for keeping things cold in a cooler. When they thaw, you have cold water to drink. The downside is that the bottles aren't designed to handle the freezing and get misshapen. They can even spring a leak.

Anyway, when I went back to work at the huge corporation on Tuesday I started stocking the freezers on our floor with half-liter bottles of water. My co-workers were able to take them home and didn't have to hunt for ice.

3. We got plywood cut for Rita to fit our windows and equipped with Plylox. I can't recommend this product highly enough. They seem more secure and easier to use than any other way to get plywood up. I probably didn't need to do it, but I prefer to be overprepared.

4. The hand-cranked radio and the battery-powered TV were great things to have. We both find Frank informative and non-alarmist. I guess we'll need to buy a new hand-held TV after the switch to digital.

Now, like a lot of people (I assume), I want to be even more prepared next time. So here's my list of things to do to prepare for the next hurricane.

1. Buy a generator.

I've never really wanted one. It seems like a great expense for a few days comfort, but I think that I can just save the cost of all the food in the refrigerator and make it worth it.

2. Buy at least two five-gallon gas cans. Keep them full during hurricane season. I'll need to pour the cans into the car once a month and refill them, as I understand it, gas has a shelf life. One can is for the generator, the other is for a car. We can get to San Antonio or Austin on a tank of gas, but I'd like to have the cushion if evacuation burns up a lot of fuel.

3. Stock more canned food.

If we had lost power, we would have had a feast for a few days cooking everything from the fridge, but after that we would have been looking for canned food like everyone else. I'm starting to buy a few things here and there and putting them in the bottom of the pantry.

4. Stock some MREs, or camping food.

OK, I know it sounds survivalist. One of the first political books I ever read was How to Prosper During the Coming Bad Years by Howard Ruff and I always thought it was alarmist stuff. I agreed with the politics of it but I don't think civilization is going to collapse or anything.

On the other hand, I'm a skeptic when it comes to relying on other people to do their job. I figure I've got to do things myself. I can't rely on the Wal-Mart to open back up after another disaster.

So, I think I also need a bug-out bag for the missus, the kitty, and me. We won't be walking anywhere with the cat and I can't forsee us needing to leave, but I don't want a tornado to leave us without shelter and we have to rely on the kindness of others for food.

Heck if we get a Cat 3 hurricane that pulls an Allison and comes back and floods us, food will be a long way off. I'll try to be ready.

5. We need some batter flashlights. I have a great Q-Beam like light but it has a limited life.

Well, one of the missus and my favorite things in the world is to drive to Galveston or Surfside and walk on the beach. We do that several times during the year, even in the winter. We're so sad that it probably won't ever be the same. We're ready to come down and spend some money though. Let us into the Purple Cow as soon as possible!

Labels: hurricane, Ike, preparedness

I need to add a tarp too. I'll need to price them, but I don't want to wait in line after a storm. I hate lines. If I don't need one maybe I could give one to a neighbor if they have damage.