OBX Hurricane Prepardness-A Local's Tips

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Outer Bankers pride themselves on taking approaching hurricanes in stride. Currently, a well developed Category 4 is on the way. Here is a mental and actual checklist OBXers go through as a storm approaches.

• Is Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel here yet? This doesn't indicate a big one is imminent, but local females enjoy seeking out the "weather stud" while he is working. In fact, if Cantore is here, it's a good bet the storm will be minor.

On the other hand, if some lesser known and expendable Weather Channel person shows up, most of us evacuate.

• OBX males ask, at these times, why is there no Fox Weather Channel sending correspondents that look like their News channel reporters and anchors.

• Is the onrushing hurricane liberal, conservative, or religious? This must be determined quickly. A left leaning hurricane is bad news, as it moves west (obviously trying to find California) and leaves behind it a mass of destruction allowing politicians to bestow newly minted billions on the local economy. Right-leaning hurricanes move east, costing the taxpayers nothing. Religious hurricanes heed the call of the Rev. Pat Robertson and smite some other town, most likely one that recognizes gay marriages or allows dancing. On rare occasions, a "centrist" hurricane makes landfall, leaving everyone feeling empty.
  

Once we have gone through the above assessments and arrive at the conclusion a hurricane is on the way, one swings into the preparedness stage:

House Protection:

OBXers use a variety of protection devices, including plywood, wood shutters, and in my case, prefabricated panels. As you can see from this picture, it is important that your panels be safely stacked in a corner of each deck, preferably opposite of the prevailing hurricane wind. Make sure they are well secured, like these are, with multiple bungee cords or other restraining devices. Otherwise, they might damage a neighbor's house, or worse, blow away.



If you believe you have gotten your money's worth from the five consecutive annual 15% increases in your wind and hail premiums, you might want to install your protective devices. Otherwise, place tarp over objets d'art, widescreen TV's, your fishing citations and leave the panels stacked where they are. Your check from the insurance Gods will arrive. Someday. Maybe. It's the only chance you'll ever get some of that money back.

Water:

You need to store some potable water.


Looks good to me. Check.

Lay in supplies. Outer Bankers understand what is important. See how empty the Harris-Teeter lot is 48 hours from the projected brush-by?




Now, see where the real line is?




Don't laugh. As electrical service may be interrupted, bread, which is composed of cereal grains makes for an easy meal. Beer, on the other hand, includes many of the same grains, plus water, supplying two vital live-giving resources at one time.





Fruits are also important to your diet, and will keep without refrigeration, if no other option is available. White fruits, by the way, don't taste as good when warm.





As are ingredients for bourbon steak (cooked on a grill, of course), rum cakes (baked in a gas oven) and tequila over glass (no cooking required). No need to rough it just because the power grid has failed.






And of course, your freezer will keep food for several days without power-- if you refrain from opening it often or for extended periods of time. Fatty foods such as these can be cooked on a grill, maintain body weight and slow down the circulation of blood, making your heart beat much slower in times of stress.



Finally, dried vegetable and plant matter has a long shelf life. These can be chewed, smoked (but not during the storm as they burn too quickly in 100 mph winds). Keep some handy.


And be safe.