LUCY BURDETTE: Honestly, hasn’t this been an unbearable week news-wise? It’s a little hard to maintain a person's optimistic equilibrium. And then I woke last Friday to see the above prediction on my weather app.
We kind of expect the worst storms in Key West, but occasionally they come to our summer spot, Connecticut. I freak out no matter which place is in the bullseye. I don’t want to live through a scary hurricane, I get nervous with a lot of wind and a bad thunderstorm. We live in a low lying neighborhood that has been flooded more than once, suffering damage and long blackouts during both Sandy and Irene.
And besides, our town‘s first selectwoman had emailed, texted, and Robo-called us to say we needed to evacuate by 8 PM Saturday. Why would I argue with her?
John, being a more phlegmatic personality, would have been happy to ride out the storm. Then some good friends who live 40 minutes inland invited us to stay along with the animals. The writing was on the wall. The only question left was what to pack.
Several of our neighbors were declining to evacuate, even though by this point the fire department had also come through all the streets to suggest that we leave. One neighbor, with anxiety even greater than mine, had packed up all of her important stuff including birth certificate, marriage certificate, and insurance papers. We both packed plenty of pet food. Lottie would be happy eating people food if her kibble ran out, but T-bone is particular. Prescription medication for everyone who needs it, of course.
Here are the furries hunkered down in their hurricane shelter quarters, both a little nervous.
Here are my furries after we'd been at our friends' place for an hour.
As it turned out, the storm was a bust, thank goodness. So was I sheepish? Not really, we had a nice visit with our friends, and I would do the same thing next time. I can write my characters into all kinds of scary situations, but I don't have the nerve to stick out weather danger myself.
How about you? Are you an evacuator, or someone who will hold the line against any kind of weather? If you were leaving and had a little time to prepare, what would you take?
How wonderful that the storm was a bust!
ReplyDeleteHurricanes and superstorms make me EXTREMELY nervous. We live close to the water [maybe a ten minute drive], but our property is not low, so flooding has not been a problem for us when the horrible storms come smashing through. I’m not good at the whole no electricity/no lights thing, so there are battery-operated lights everywhere.
But if the folks in the know said, “Go,” I’d be grabbing what I could and heading for the door.
What would I take? Aside from medicines, it’s truly a tough call. So much is irreplaceable . . . books and treasures and a lifetime of pictures. [But many of them are scanned, so I guess I’d grab my computer and hope for the best] . . . also, the phone and charger, so I could keep in touch with the girls . . . the box of important papers . . . my Bible . . . a travel mug of coffee [there’s always coffee . . . I wouldn’t have to make it] . . . .
You sound like me Joan!
DeleteI tell myself that I would evacuate, and I probably would. But, I've seldom taken shelter when threat of a tornado has been present, and, yes, we did have a tornado come through town once, doing a lot of damage. Before my mother-in-law died in June 2020, we had a basement to go to if we wanted. I may have gone over there once in forty some years. I'm sure if I'd been in a tornado, I wouldn't be so casual about taking cover. I once was driving and heard on the radio that there was a tornado near. I looked over to the left side of the highway, and there beyond, and what I thought was a good distance off, was a tornado cloud dipping down. I drove on. I was going away from that direction. I thought about whether I should pull over and get in the ditch, but I didn't. I really feel like it wasn't that close. Yes, I'm trying to convince myself that I made the right decision. A hurricane? I'd definitely evacuate, if I were vacationing where it was headed.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I take with me? I think that those who are fleeing the fires in California and surrounding area have the tough decision there. If it were a hurricane or tornado, I'd take my binder with all our important documents, some photos, laptop and other devices, books (of course), and a thermos of coffee.
A tornado Kathy? I'd be in that ditch immediately! All it took was watching The Wizard of Oz...and you are so right. the people in the path of fires have so little time to react and could be left with ashes.
DeleteA friend moved to northern California a couple years ago, and he's been sharing updates on the Caldor fire many times a day on Facebook. His house, so far, is still safe, but the fire is getting closer and closer. Fortunately, he is over 100 miles away, staying with his daughter in a non-threatened area.
DeleteI'm an evacuator. Let the professionals deal with it. Of course, in my case, it is fires that would be the biggest issue.
ReplyDeleteI had to evacuate a couple years ago. I took a few days clothes and some rare out of print books and DVDs. A box of souvenir Christmas ornaments. I only have one car to put stuff in, so there is a whole heck of a lot I have to leave behind.
Let's hope you don't have to make those choices anytime soon Mark!
DeleteI lived on Hilton Head Island for 30 years and we evacuated for David, Hugo, Bertha, Fran, Felix and Floyd. Mostly, they were evacuations in an era before life on a computer, so I packed pictures and silver (hahahaha), along with the emergency kit (never used) - we usually had a hotel lined up well in advance. I would make hotel reservations a week in advance (yeah, they got booked if you waited too long). After the first time with our dog in a hotel room, where he barked every time another evacuee went by the door in the middle of the night - I also booked a kennel in the town we were evacuating to. Glad those harrowing days are over for me. I have other harrowing experiences these days to keep my blood flowing.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Mary. So the dog didn't make the travel team after that first time? LOL In the past, you probably didn't have as many forecasters telling you what would happen--probably good and bad.
DeleteThat must have been nerve-wracking, Roberta. Did you also board up windows and sandbag the doors? I
ReplyDeletem definitely an evacuator, but I've never had to.
There was a time when we lived in Burkina Faso when it was possible foreigners would have to clear out of a dangerous political situation. We had a bag with clothes, passports, snacks and water, our malaria pills, and possibly a book each by the door. We didn't have pets or take other prescriptions at the time, and the boys were well out diapers. I would have grabbed the laptop but it was before we had cell phones. A scary time. If the embassy had said Go, we would have gone. You can believe I've been thinking of that this week.
oh gosh Edith, this week has been terrifying and horrifying. How would you have gotten out?
DeleteI don't remember. Head straight to the airport, I assume - which was right downtown, almost.
DeleteWe were living in New Jersey during Hurricane Sandy, which was terribly destructive. Fortunately, we lived on high ground and, reportedly because we were on the same electric grid as town hall and the police station, we only lost power for 24 hours, though many did not have power for two weeks. Friends of ours from a town that was disastrously flooded moved in with us, and I have to say it was great! They brought their adorable dog and made dinner for us all every night! So don't feel guilty about evacuating to a friend's house -- it's like a sleepover party for grown ups!
ReplyDeleteSandy was bad...and in the end, we did enjoy visiting with our good friends. But it was also great to be home.
DeleteHow weird, I had a dream last night about this very thing! I'd grab my phone, purse, backup stick from the computer, and maybe the password file. All of those things are on my way out the door.
ReplyDeleteI have gone to the basement a couple times in my life. But these days the TV weather technology can pinpoint the very blocks threatened, so now I just turn on the TV to a local station. It's literally the only time I turn it on, and this year we have not but maybe one or two tornado warnings, which is unusual.
At our farm we have the unique situation of having a basement beneath the double-wide. The former owner, who grew up there in Pendleton County, was in sixth grade when a tornado tore right through her family farm, and she makes sure she has cover wherever she lives. Last summer a twister came within 1/3 of a mile of our place. Our tenants, in two smaller trailers 1/2-mile up the drive, know where the key to the basement is, and they actually sheltered there. Because it's so rural and 45 minutes from the nearest hospital, plus with a volunteer fire/EMS department, I also keep a heavy duty first aid and survival kit there.
Roberta, I couldn't live in Key West, too nerve-wracking for me! Tornadoes are bad enough.
You are great landlords Karen! Now I'm worried for the people in the path of Ida. That's the trouble--if the hurricane veers away from us, it's going to slam someone else!
DeleteWe all would have been at Bouchercon in New Orleans right now (that is, if not COVID)! Gah.
Deleteit's awful to watch it coming...
DeleteI know, Edith. I shiver to think about how close we all came to complicating matters even more for that town.
DeleteI live pretty high up on a hill so I've never worried about flooding here. Even so, if I had to evacuate I know pretty much what I would take and it's all in a Bean tote and easy to grab. But one thing I never considered was clothes! That's crazy, isn't it? I certainly wouldn't want to have to spend several days or more in my nylon nightgown! Guess I better stuff some wearables in that tote.
ReplyDeleteOh Judi, if I had a tote, I'd forget what was in it and be wondering where all that stuff was!
DeleteWe have a basement, thank heavens! I can't imagine any situation where I live that would call for evacuation, but we have sheltered in the basement a few times in the 15 years I've lived here. Wind and tornado warnings--when the sky turns green, it's usually time to take cover! Back-up drive from computer, folder of important papers, the critters--my boys--that's all I'd want to take with me if I ever did have to leave.
ReplyDeleteoh gosh, the green sky--definitely out of there!
DeleteTornados are the worst because you have no time to prepare. In Georgia, we had a NOAA weather radio screaming with the latest funnel cloud locations. When they were within a couple of miles of the house, we headed for the basement.
ReplyDeleteI have a Katrina box in the front hall closet with copies of everything we might need. Add chargers and we're good to go. We've never needed to evacuate, but I would take three to five days of clothing, dog food, prescription meds. My laptop and camera.
My daughter, with her bulldog riding shotgun, drove from New Orleans to Houston yesterday. She's evacuated several times and knows the drill.
I hope she stays safe Margaret. Houston has sure had its share of hurricanes too...
DeleteGlad your daughter evacuated early. Just saw a news report that said they were not going to have enough time to declare a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans. So frightening, and on the anniversary of Katrina. Hoping for the best for all in Ida's path.
DeleteOur greatest threat is snow storms and for that we hunker down and stay in place. Prep includes generator fuel and a good supply of food and books and a knitting project. If I had to evacuate important papers, the puppy and her food & toys, phone and chargers.
ReplyDeleteYes our New England contingent is always ready for those awful snowstorms...
DeleteI think I would grab my laptop and phone, with chargers; personal IDs and a file of other important documents. A few days worth of clothing. Meds. Oh, and my Kindle, with charger.
ReplyDeleteLucy: that second pic of Lottie and T-Bone is priceless. So cute! Give 'em a bed, and they can relax, eh! Even when evacuated away from home.
This is Amanda LeR. Not sure why I've come up as Unknown today...
DeleteHi Amanda, you never know with Blogger do you? The furries did relax pretty quickly. Our hosts had two cats who'd never met a dog. One of them ran under their bed and we never saw her. The other came hissing and slashing right at Lottie. Where did he get that nerve I wonder?
DeleteHaving grown up in CT just down the shoreline from you, I’m an evacuator! People, pets, laptop, and I have a feeling Hub will strap three of his guitars to my person before I’m allowed out the door! LOL.
ReplyDeleteof course he would Jenn! lol
DeleteI've been fortunate not to live where fire or hurricanes were an issue. For earthquakes, there is no warning, so the furthest evac was to crawl under the dining room table. For tornadoes, it was the bathtub or pull the shades and get in a doorway. When I was very small, I was taken to the root cellar in my grandmother's back yard, along with all the spiders and other creepy crawlers that lived there. None of these included packing anything.
ReplyDeleteDuring these years of the plague, Julie and I have considered packing a go box, just in case we have to go to the Covid ward. However, we seem to be living in one of the better parts of the country for pandemic control.
While living in earthquake country, I did keep shoes by my bedside, in case I ended up walking on broken glass, and I still do. Habit.
Lucy Roberta, Lottie is miles past adorable, and so is T Bone. Sgt Pepper is off at boo camp since Monday, basic training.
ReplyDeleteI assume you meant boot camp, Ann, but "boo camp" is pretty cute.
DeleteI will want to hear about boot camp Ann!!
DeleteI left home this past weekend to stay with a sister upstate, after receiving numerous robocalls and emails from our condo managing agency. The main danger was flooded parking lots and basements. We are uphill from the water, but a tidal stream runs through our parking lot. It turned out the storm wasn’t much of anything here at the shore. At my sister’s, however, the rain was relentless, and it wasn’t safe for me to drive home until Tuesday. I brought along medications, my cell phone and Kindle and chargers, and a few changes of clothing. With so many people displaced from their homes permanently due to natural disasters or wars, I feel guilty worrying about a flooded basement. My furnace and hot water heater can be replaced.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
So lucky we all were last week Deb! and glad your sister is nearby.
DeleteLucy,
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was a kid there was a storm that was bad enough that my parents took us to stay at a friend's house for the duration. My dad was a cop so he was working throughout but the rest of us were at the house.
But since then I don't recall ever leaving in the midst of any kind of storm. Guess that kind of makes me a hold the line person.
If I had to evacuate, changes of clothes, the phone and charger, my medicines and toiletries are all on the list. I'd likely try to take important papers that I might need in the case of disaster striking. I'm sure I'd take books to read (assuming there was power), but obviously I'd have to leave behind a lot of stuff. I'd do what I could to make sure I protected them as best I could though.
sounds like a good plan Jay, and hopefully you won't have to use it!
DeleteI've evacuated due to fires twice now but because of weather warnings, I've had enough time to start packing before I actually have to leave. Important documents, irreplaceable pictures and family jewelry go into a box. One of a kind books. Medical supplies, medication and first aid supplies. Minimum of three days of clothes, sleeping bag and pillows. Small ice chest, bag of staple food and simple utensils that way I have something to eat and don't have to bother others. A couple of weeks ago we had a high wind warning and for some reason it scared me so I started packing and I still have a box full of pictures, a couple of books and my laptop with the cords. The one thing I want to buy now is portable power so that I don't have to find a plug immediately. I have small battery pack but I don't have one big enough for my laptop. The evacuations have been at night so when I leave I go to the office. I can't face a shelter until I absolutely have to, I have problems with crowds. I try to keep my car with 1⁄2 a tank of gas so that if I actually have to leave Santa Rosa I can at least get out of town.
ReplyDeleteOkay so now for the interesting part of my evacuation stories - last year when we evacuated for the Glass Fire, I went to the office and the next morning my boss discovered I didn't have any place else to go so she offered me a room in her house. She then offer another room to a nurse who lives over in Napa county. When they got evacuated, she and her husband came over the hill and stay with me, in our boss's house and their 2 dogs. When I evacuated in 2019, the vice president of our division found out I didn't have a place to stay so he offered me the hotel room that had been rented for a teacher who wasn't coming to town because of the fire. I stayed in the hotel one night. The next day I drove down to south San Francisco, another hotel and then got on airplane and flew Dallas, Texas for something called Bouchercon. Yeah, I did go into a crowd of strangers but this was a planned trip. It just happened at the same time that I evacuated due to fire.
wow that's a wild evacuation story! hope you were able to enjoy the conference.
DeleteWe are the lowest lot in our neighborhood. When there is a huge rainstorm. Which has happened about 6 times in the 37 years since we've been here, the storm drains fill up and then the street fills then my driveway, then my garage, then the water comes into my family room. It happened last week. I used to run around rescuing the photos from a cabinet in that room, but I finally moved them last year. When we flood, it usually takes just a couple days to clean everything and dry out. But the hurricane hit us right after we flooded, so we had 2 anxiety ridden days before we started to put things back on the porch and into the family room.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have thought about the people losing everything in those fires out west, I just don't really know what I'd save besides people and pets. It's too terrifying to contemplate.
It is too terrifying Judy. What's happening all over the world right now puts my little problems in some perspective!
DeleteI've evacuated only twice so far. My parents lived on Galveston Island during WW2 and a hurricane hit while they were there. Ever since, they would leave ahead of a storm. We left Houston back in the 60's when Carla came to town. That was the hurricane that made Dan Rather's career. When we were living in the New Orleans area in the early 70's we evacuated when a hurricane came in at Morgan City and Franklin. Since then Frank and I have entertained Ike and Harvey here in Houston. We live in the highest elevation in the city, which is not saying much, but still....Our neighborhood was an island after Harvey. We pay attention to what our county judge says as to who should evacuate and in what order. So far we've been lucky. The wind and the tornados scare me more than the water. If we have to scamper at some point I'd take clothing, meds, laptop, phone, ereaders, passport, dog, dog food. Not necessarily in that order. I'm not sure anymore what documents one should have. Perhaps I should make copies of insurance, birth certificates, etc.to take and hope the originals survive. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear suggestions too. John insisted we didn't need any papers with us??
DeleteWe are in tornado country, but no basement or storm shelter, alas. But Rick has been a storm spotter and ham radio operator for years, so he's always tracking storms to the minute. We shelter in our tiny hall half bath, center of the house, no windows, which is not much fun with two German shepherds. I'm afraid the cats would just have to fend for themselves.
ReplyDeleteLucy, the photos of your critters are so adorable. So glad you didn't have any storm damage.
thanks Debs, your husband is a treasure in disasters! I can't imagine the cats jammed into that bathroom too:)
DeleteI'm an it dependser. I lived in Florida from 1979-2005 and then from 2011-2020. In all those years we evacuated once. Our homes were always on high ground - or as good as it gets to high in South Florida - and both had been built to withstand hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteWe evacuated for Irma in 2017. I woke in the morning, turned on the news and they were playing the street level predicted radar. Irma's eastern eyewall was predicted to be over our house with 220 MPH winds by noon and she was anticipated to stay for 6-10 hours. We grabbed the cats, birds, critter accessories, out go file with insurance and important papers, our laptops, some clothes, water, nibble food and left. The winds were starting as we drove away and the entire way up the coast our phones were erupting in hurricane warnings. We found hotel reservations in Destin and stayed there for the duration. When we came home we discovered our house was in the eyewall winds for 12 hours. We had damage, but the house was there.
That said - I can cope with hurricanes. These days there is some warning and some ability to make pre-emptive decisions. The thought of wild fires, tornados and/or earthquakes terrify me.
My thoughts are with those in the path of the west coast fires and Ida.
Meds, I forgot to add meds!
DeleteIn the eyewall, yikes! I would lose my mind in a situation like that.
DeleteI'm so glad that Henri fizzled out. Like Pat D, I and my family live in the Houston area and have rode out Ike and Harvey. We're part of the "hunker down" category rather than evacuate type. However, we're also on the north side of Houston so about 75 miles inland. Plus, I work for a non-profit that helps with disaster relief, so we stay on the ground when the storms head in. I wasn't working for them at the time of Ike though, so when the electricity was out for two weeks my mom, son, and I headed for San Antonio after the storm came through. A girl needs her A/C when it's summer in Texas. As far as what papers to evacuate with, I would definitely take insurance papers and any identification related documents that might be hard to replace, like birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Also, one lesson from when Tropical Storm Alison hit in 2001: Bank safe deposit boxes are not waterproof. So if you leave important papers in one, I'd suggest putting them in ziploc bags.
ReplyDeleteI’m late to the party, but we couldn’t evacuate even with Charly, a cat 4 bearing down on Ft. Myers. At that time, you couldn’t take your pets to shelters, and we refused to leave our sweet rescue dog, Molly. We gathered all our valuables, backed up the computers, and the three of us spent 8 hours in our large closet. Molly slept through the whole thing. We lost power, but did get to see a sky-full of stars that night.
ReplyDelete