How to Prepare for a Storm

Heading down to Moore, Oklahoma to provide restroom trailers to those working to help the victims of the destructive tornado that hit last month had us thinking about what you can do to prepare if a storm hits your area.
As we’ve seen from the situation in Moore, the reality is that sometimes you won’t have time to prepare. But for the times you can, it’s important to keep certain emergency supplies stored in your home so that you are ready in a split second. Some of the things you should include in your emergency kit are:

• a flashlight with spare batteries
• first-aid kit
• a battery-operated radio
• canned food
• a manual can opener
• bottled water
• blankets
• specialty items such as baby food or prescription medicine

Additional things to consider, especially if you have enough advanced warning, are:

Cash: We have sent our portable restroom unit to assist Wells Fargo Bank Home Mortgage. They are working to bring mobile baking units to all disaster areas. Not every bank is able to provide this. Be sure to have cash on hand for situations where banks and ATM’s are not available. Also, if a store isn’t able to process credit cards due to a power outage, you’ll be prepared.

Gas: Make sure your car has a full tank of gas in case you have to relocate after the storm. During Hurricane Sandy there were major gas shortages on the east coast. You may not have a chance to fill up during or after the disaster.

Ice: Consider buying extra ice in case your electricity goes out so your refrigerated food doesn’t go bad. Alternatively, you can set your refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting. Food in a freezer should last 2 days without power.
Prepare vulnerable windows: If you have glass windows that could blow in, secure them with cardboard, tape, and plastic. If you are in a high risk area, investing in storm shutters might be a good idea.

Portable Toilets: If you are stuck in your shelter for hours or days you could end up needing a portable toilet. A small bucket with a toilet seat is a simple solution for a problem many might forget to consider. Some school districts in Tampa have supplied one with every classroom’s emergency kit in the event of a lockdown.
As we continue to rebuild in Moore, Oklahoma our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. While we hope you never have to suffer through a disaster like this, it never hurts to be prepared.