Community Chat

[Susan Louise]

Saying prayers for everyone in Helene's path. The latest I heard is the storm surge expected in certain areas will compare to Hurricane Michael. The term used was 'unsurvivable'. I hope folks in those areas have plans to leave if they haven't yet already. Looks like it will be a Cat 4 or worse.

The only Hurricane I experienced/lived through was Gloria (1985) when I was still living in my home state - Connecticut.

[songbird]

Hmm...so it did miss the Carolinas.  It shifted west instead heading toward the East.  That leaves Maryland off the hook.  I was so sure that we would get hit.  I don't know.  So long as it weakens fast.  You can check the track with googling CNN STorm Tracker.

[Laura14]

@gidgetgh Very quiet here on the drive in to work. Looks like everyone has taken this deadly seriously. I ran around this morning to get everything I could done that needs power like laundry before I realized I have an electric stove and won't be able to cook. 

They just told me to go home so I'm leaving work early now and hitting the grocery store for some grab and go essentials.

Fox5 had some great tips for keeping your perishables good in the freezer and fridge. He said place jugs of water in any open spaces to help keep your food cold for 48 hours in case we're out of power that long. If you have a full freezer, you're good for 48 hours, half a freezer 24 hours. 

And of course if you want to grab ice, you can pack coolers. I know we used to pack the washing machines full of ice in Louisiana and keep beverages that way too. 

Stay safe!  Thinking about everyone in FL, AL, and the Carolinas too. 

[SouthernBee]

@Laura14 @gidgetgh : Praying for everyone safety. We didn't have the expected thunderstorms last night.Currently light rain. Yesterday, around 2:30p.m. was a thunderstorm with winds and hard rain while trying to go for some medical test.

We have one small eco flow  generator for lights and DH bipap  machine. Still concern for our big freezer and refrigerator and  appreciate the tip about the jugs of water.❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[gidgetgh]

Nervous energy so I went up to CVS and got more batteries in case I, or anyone in my neighborhood needs them.  Also bought some more bottled water. 

It rained tons here yesterday, not associated with the storm and has started raining here again a half hour or so ago.

[Laura14]

Another tip: Check your windows!

It got really humid and I decided to open my windows before the storm gets going tonight to air everything out. We had the house recently painted and the guys never properly shut the top of a few of them and they've been open just slightly.

That would not have been fun especially with it hitting overnight. 

I made a second trip to the grocery store with my mom to make sure she was good with grab and go food. She likes to microwave and no such thing if the power is down. 

[smoochy]

had follow up appt w my surgeon this morning. Heavy torrential rain. Now it has cleared. Very windy. Took a photo of the radar to show you what's coming later today. I'm the blue dot 🔵 east of Tampa. Storm is circling east. The worst will hit us around 5 pm. We are currently under a tornado watch (entire state), tropical storm warning, flood watch. If you guys have anyone you want me to check on I'm happy to do so. Just need to figure out a way to get phone numbers to each other. 

[Laura14]

@SouthernBee Stay well! Not sure where you are but that's great having a generator. It's going to be extremely helpful. 🙏

[SouthernBee]

@smoochy : Praying for you and everyone in the path.

I remember Opal in 1995 with 70 miles winds and watching  all of pine trees in my neighborhood. I lived on a hill but stayed across the street with my two elderly  neighbors.❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Marp]

@SouthernBee,  in addition to jugs of water you can also fill freezer bags with water and place them in the freezer.  Just keep in mind when filling and positioning the bags that frozen water expands so you need to leave enough room for the expansion.