Keeping a weather-eye on the horizon!

So far this season, there has been little action in the Gulf of Mexico in the form of tropical weather. It has been quiet..almost too quiet for the past few years. It makes one wonder if a "big one" is brewing..just waiting to slip in and stir up things a bit. Now, there is a system sitting slap in the middle of the Gulf that could become "Lee" shortly. The system is a vast amount of clouds that appears to be gaining a bit of circulation. Our Labor Day Weekend could just possibly be spent watching a hurricane spin about. Batten down the hatches and keep a weather-eye on the horizon..a storm is brewing!

After cutting the grass, the rest of today was spent gathering up the fishing gear from the pier and odds and ends from around the yard. Even if this comes in as just a tropical storm, there is no need to have things flying about and smacking the house. Better safe than sorry. Again my motto for storm preparation..(Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.)..comes into action. With the tides expected to run a good bit above normal, we not only gathered the fishing gear but tied down the wooden benches on the pier. These are a tad heavy to drag the two hundred or so feet up the length of the pier and then up the steep hill toward the house. Tying them will have to suffice. Tomorrow, depending on the hurricane forecast, will be spent cooking a few meals, making ice, gathering water..all just in case the power lines are knocked down and we are out of electricity for any length of time. Then..it is just a matter of sitting out the storm. This one, at the moment, does not have me overly concerned although this could change in just a few hours if the storm strengthens above a category 2. As for now..it seems to be a major rainmaker with gusty winds..more of a break in the monotony of a hot summer.

Just a few tips from someone that has been through a fair share of hurricanes....

1. Don't panic. A hurricane is just another weather phenomenon. It does, however, need to be treated with a fair amount of respect. If it scares you to ride one out..get out..evacuate well ahead of the landfall time. And do get out if you live in a less than durable home, in a low lying area or have medical needs.
2. Do let someone know what your plans are..give them a phone number or address where you will be..whether you evacuate or stay and ride out the storm. Don't forget to pack any important papers to take if you do evacuate.
3. Well before the storm, secure any loose items in the yard..such as lawn furniture, bird feeders/houses, windchimes and toys, etc. These can become airborne projectiles that can do serious damage to the home or to your body!
4. If need be, board up the windows. This will protect the inside of your house from getting wet if the window breaks because you forgot to secure everything outside..or from tree limbs.
5. Keep check on the weather reports. Enough said.....
6. Gas up the car..this is important. If the storm is bad, you may not be able to get gas for weeks. Make sure to get enough for generators, chainsaws or any other gas operated machinery.Also, make sure you have enough oil for the machinery.
7. Stock enough food for at least a few days..and enough water for at least a week. If the storm is a bad one..this should be doubled or tripled. Also..make sure the food is shelf stable and have some on hand that does not need to be cooked. Do not forget that you will need drinking water, wash water and water for cooking. *Also, stock up on prescription medications that you will need.* You may not be able to get meds for several weeks.
8. If you have enough room in the freezer, make ice. Trust me..you can never have too much ice. Not only will this help protect what is in the freezer/refrigerator for a few days, it will also give you more water when it thaws. (Not to mention, it is usually unbearably hot after a storm and the ice will be appreciated!)
9. If you have a tight fitting plug in the bathtub, fill it with water to use in flushing the toilet. Chances are..no electricity..no water for flushing the toilet..not a nice situation.
10. If you do not have a barbeque grill..get one..this could be a lifesaver indeed! I cooked on my grill for about twenty or more people a day for weeks following Hurricane Katrina. If it is a gas grill, make sure you have sufficient propane. (To go with this, paper plates and cups are nice as you will have no water to wash dishes!)
11. Check on your neighbors, the elderly or the disabled to see if they need help. You would want someone to do the same for you if you needed help.
12. Make sure your pets are safe! And do not forget to stock up on their food, too. Plus, make sure to have fresh water on hand for them. If you have a cat..get cat litter! (And get any pet medications that are needed.)
13. Make sure you have working flashlights and extra batteries. Here, we have invested in several solar shop lights. These can be used for quite a few hours before needing to be recharged.
14. Get some cash to keep on hand. After a storm, most places are cash only and your credit cards, debit cards and checks will not be accepted.
15. Don't panic.

While these are all good pieces of advice, there are many, many more things that should probably be attended before a hurricane. Most of these are only for a more severe storm and do not apply to just a tropical storm. Tropical storms usually come in and stir things up a bit but unless they are accompanied by tornadoes, don't cause a lot of damage other than flooding. If the storm is quite strong or you are nervous about riding it out at home..do evacuate. I have never felt the need to leave..the Little Bayou House has served me well..it has given my family shelter through many storms. I will ride out this one..and the next..and so on. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Be safe, my friends!