Hurri-Ready
Hi favorites!
Many of you have asked how we're riding out this Hurricane Irene. Thank you for your concerns and prayers. Keep them coming because even though it's only a Category 1, it's still a hurricane, and the first hurricane we've been in at that. As much as we think we're ready, we don't really know how to prepare, so we're doing our best!
First off, you should know that NYC has 4 zones: A, B, C and no zone. A is the lowest-lying and the area that is evacuated. Parts of B have been evacuated as well. We're in no zone. Bay Ridge was aptly named for its "ridge," so we're on higher ground. Also, we're on the 2nd floor (really the 3rd floor) of our apartment building, our windows face west/north and the Gowanus Expressway is right next to us - it's like a ditch because it's so much lower than our apartment building. So we're pretty safe (knock on wood) from flooding. We're not, however, completely safe from 85-90 mph winds, rain and power outtages. So what are we doing to make sure we stay safe and comfortable (relative term)?
WIND
- We have a corner apartment, so almost all rooms have windows. For those with doors, we're shutting those and taking items away from near the windows.
- For windows in door-less rooms, we're covering them as well as possible. Our hutch is covering the living room window, a heavy mat covers the kitchen window.
- All air conditioners are secured.
- We will be hunkering down in the foyer - no windows, no glass. We'll move our mattress to the middle, Ollie's Pack N' Play to the corner, and we have our "go bags" at the ready.
RAIN
- We're not going outside. Done. There's nowhere to go anyway. Doug was out this morning and discovered that Starbucks is closed. Apocalyptic. They have shut down subways and buses as of 12 noon today.
POWER OUTTAGES
- We're filling our tub / Oliver's tub / buckets with water for flushing and bathing. This storm will last about 12 hours they estimate, but the aftermath (fallen lines, floods, etc.) may last a while. The tub has been cleaned by Doug who will forever stink of bleach! And don't worry - post-storm we'll be boiling water for food preparation.
- There are lots of food items that don't need preparations in our house. This is mostly thanks to having a baby 3 months ago and not wanting to cook. We also have items that are easy to prepare - soups, canned veggies, chilis, cereal. Here's hoping gas lines won't die.
- Our fridge and freezer have been set to the coldest setting and we'll keep the doors closed as much as possible. These are the first foods that we'll eat so we minimize food spoiling and stinkiness.
- We have tons of water - we bought a pack of water and we've filled all bottles in our house and put them in the fridge.
- We don't have battery-operated fans. We'll all be naked in case we can't run any air.
MORE PREPARATIONS
- Oliver has voided his stomach 5 times this morning, but taken 2 long naps. So I think we're set there.
- O's toys are in the foyer. If we lose light, I'm hopeful that a mixture of the boob and the giggle monster will sustain him.
- Doug and I have discussed where our emergency meeting place is - it's at 65th Street and 12th Avenue, the emergency evacation center for our area.
- Laptops, cell phones, cameras and walkie-talkies are all charging. We also are charging our home (cordless) phone.
- A closet floor has been cleared out just in case.
- We've created a "go bag" in case we need to leave the apartment and head either up to our neighbor's apartment, downstairs to the shelter in the building (although I can't see the safety in a basement during a flood), to Jenn and Joel's or the emergency evacuation center. These items include:
We are probably so over-prepared that it'll be funny post-Irene. Our caution, however, is caused by the following:
Many of you have asked how we're riding out this Hurricane Irene. Thank you for your concerns and prayers. Keep them coming because even though it's only a Category 1, it's still a hurricane, and the first hurricane we've been in at that. As much as we think we're ready, we don't really know how to prepare, so we're doing our best!
First off, you should know that NYC has 4 zones: A, B, C and no zone. A is the lowest-lying and the area that is evacuated. Parts of B have been evacuated as well. We're in no zone. Bay Ridge was aptly named for its "ridge," so we're on higher ground. Also, we're on the 2nd floor (really the 3rd floor) of our apartment building, our windows face west/north and the Gowanus Expressway is right next to us - it's like a ditch because it's so much lower than our apartment building. So we're pretty safe (knock on wood) from flooding. We're not, however, completely safe from 85-90 mph winds, rain and power outtages. So what are we doing to make sure we stay safe and comfortable (relative term)?
WIND
- We have a corner apartment, so almost all rooms have windows. For those with doors, we're shutting those and taking items away from near the windows.
- For windows in door-less rooms, we're covering them as well as possible. Our hutch is covering the living room window, a heavy mat covers the kitchen window.
- All air conditioners are secured.
- We will be hunkering down in the foyer - no windows, no glass. We'll move our mattress to the middle, Ollie's Pack N' Play to the corner, and we have our "go bags" at the ready.
RAIN
- We're not going outside. Done. There's nowhere to go anyway. Doug was out this morning and discovered that Starbucks is closed. Apocalyptic. They have shut down subways and buses as of 12 noon today.
POWER OUTTAGES
- We're filling our tub / Oliver's tub / buckets with water for flushing and bathing. This storm will last about 12 hours they estimate, but the aftermath (fallen lines, floods, etc.) may last a while. The tub has been cleaned by Doug who will forever stink of bleach! And don't worry - post-storm we'll be boiling water for food preparation.
- There are lots of food items that don't need preparations in our house. This is mostly thanks to having a baby 3 months ago and not wanting to cook. We also have items that are easy to prepare - soups, canned veggies, chilis, cereal. Here's hoping gas lines won't die.
- Our fridge and freezer have been set to the coldest setting and we'll keep the doors closed as much as possible. These are the first foods that we'll eat so we minimize food spoiling and stinkiness.
- We have tons of water - we bought a pack of water and we've filled all bottles in our house and put them in the fridge.
- We don't have battery-operated fans. We'll all be naked in case we can't run any air.
MORE PREPARATIONS
- Oliver has voided his stomach 5 times this morning, but taken 2 long naps. So I think we're set there.
- O's toys are in the foyer. If we lose light, I'm hopeful that a mixture of the boob and the giggle monster will sustain him.
- Doug and I have discussed where our emergency meeting place is - it's at 65th Street and 12th Avenue, the emergency evacation center for our area.
- Laptops, cell phones, cameras and walkie-talkies are all charging. We also are charging our home (cordless) phone.
- A closet floor has been cleared out just in case.
- We've created a "go bag" in case we need to leave the apartment and head either up to our neighbor's apartment, downstairs to the shelter in the building (although I can't see the safety in a basement during a flood), to Jenn and Joel's or the emergency evacuation center. These items include:
- A working flashlight with extra batteries
- A working radio with extra batteries
- Dust mask (two of my pashminas)
- Doug's pocket knife
- Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
- A change of clothes, sturdy shoes, and sweatshirts
- Water and non-perishable food
- Paper, tape and markers in case we need to make a sign
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, saline, glasses
- List of emergency contact numbers
- List of medical conditions and drugs we take
- Copies of health insurance cards and IDs
- Extra house keys
- First aid kid
- Ollie's stuffed diaper bag
We are probably so over-prepared that it'll be funny post-Irene. Our caution, however, is caused by the following:
- We've been watching the news nonstop for the past 2 days. Our eyes are bloodshot, brimming over with scenes of bottlenecks on the Garden State Parkway and boarded up beach motels.
- Mayor Bloomberg has been giving practically hourly press conference updates on the status of NY preparations and said that the mass evacuations and the MTA shutdowns are completely unprecedented. Zoinks.
- Bloomie has evacuated 5 hospitals. Hospitals. Where people are healed.
- Katrina is on the tips of everyone's tongues, but no one wants to set a jinx.
Our safety closet, with a blanket.
The hutch almost in position.
The heavy blanket over the kitchen window.
I'm only now realizing how lame these pictures are.
In other news, please send up a prayer or some love and light for my family. Maddie, our beloved sheltie, had to be put down this morning. Dad was in St. Louis taking Courtney and Mallory home, so Mom had to go to the vet by herself. Maddie was 14 years old and I don't need to tell you how grief-stricken we are.
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