Here comes Sandy. Last year at this time, the northeast experienced a freak October snowstorm that took down trees, and knocked out power to many. My family went without power for 9 days. It was frustrating as everyone around us seemed to luck out, but a small group of homes were left in the dark because of a large tree that fell on our road. I thought I was prepared for the storm, and I was ok for about 4 to 5 days, but around day 6, things got harder. My house got colder, I was running out of water, eating was a challenge, and a certain kind of fatigue set in. There were lessons learned, and the experience taught us to always be prepared.
I always have a large supply of bottled water stored away. We use it at times during the year, but it is replaced as soon as it is consumed. Those of us with homes that run on a septic system know how hard it is to deal with a lack of water. Last year I filled the tubs and collected water from melting snow. This year, I already have gallon containers of water in the basement, numerous buckets and containers filled, and the tubs will be filled. I have a stash of nonperishable food and all my laundry is done. I have flashlights, but I have found battery operated LED laterns that provide more light and are easier to carry around. The only item I have not invested in is a generator. I don't have a baby, anyone ill or elderly, and we seemed to survive last time without one so it hasn't been on the top of our list. I will however, crank the heat up if the storm seems to be strengthening just to keep the house warmer longer.
Despite all the upset, my kids are taking it all in stride. Having gone throught it before, they are loaded up on books, charged up some games, and put batteries in a couple of old boom boxes. I'm hoping that it will not hit us too hard, and that all the tree work that was done on my road will prove to be adequate. I'm still leary about the 2 or 3 dead ones I see standing, but hopefully they will not fall. My philosphy in these situations is that there are always those worse off. I will probably fare better than my cousins in New Jersey. I know that the people near coastlines will suffer damage to their homes. I also know that for my area this in not Katrina or Haiti, and that I will not suffer for years to come. It's all perspective. I'm praying that all survive.
