Originally Posted by TanyaL

I'm sure all of you in the hurricane's path know how to prepare for having no power. Having lived decades along the Gulf Coast let me mention a few items in case some are new to these type of preparations. You will have to prepare meals with no electric stove, you can't use charcoal grills inside a house and your refrigeration will not last unless you have a generator. You may lose the food in your freezer - buy dry ice if you can. So plan meals that you don't cook or chill the ingredients. Without electricity your toilets probably won't flush. Save water to flush your toilets, plus water to wash hands and to drink. No lights, no fans. Make sure your first aid kit is well stocked and your prescriptions are all filled. Don't let anyone run out of their sense of humor. Keep your prayer channels open. You'll have a lot of togetherness, make it a wonderful time. A lot of people travel hundreds of miles to camp out to do the things you may end up doing for free in your own home. In case you have to leave your home make sure you have the important things- things that would so difficult to replace- like passports, deeds, bank books, IRS records, etc. Hurricanes come with floods and tornadoes, thieves and snakes everywhere. Leave your house as secure as you can. Good luck.