Ike affecting MENA members

[Aymsgirl 0]

I didn't get a chance to read this entire thread but we have some effects of IKE! I we had upwards of 80-90 mph winds yesterday and a huge majority of Ohio was suffering with no electricity and lots of tree and home damage. We have had no electricity for almost 24 hours (in about 2.5 hours) in my home.

[Staashi 371]

To all those without power - may God make the heat not noticeable...I'll pray for you.

For all those in IKE's way - stay safe. Hurricanes are nothing to mess with.

((((((((((((((((bless you all)))))))))))))))))

[Muh and me 18]

My oldest son works for Asplundh, the company that cuts trees for the electric company. He got sent to Houston and I learned that they will be living in like a tent city cause there are no rooms there. I feel so bad for him. He said there is lots of damage and they expect to work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 weeks to a month! I pray he stays safe and dry!

[amal 4]

We're still here at our friends house. Still no power and the water was at a slow trickle the last time I checked.

I bought some new clothes today (including undergarments toooooo)!!!! They feel GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got some new shoes too! Shopping always helps! My friend has a huuuuuuuuuge bath tub that's like a hot tub and LET-ME-TELL-YOUUUUU by the time I got out of that thang...I was reduced to a blob of jell-o and all was right with the world! Then we went out for pizza at a place called "pepperonis" and I don't think life could get much better than it is right now!

Back to the hurricane..... Most of the restaurants are still closed coz all the food went bad in the power outage. Well, and the fact that a lot of them don't have power back on yet could have something to do with it. There are no gas stations that DON'T have lines a mile long UNLESS they are out of gas. It's mass hysteria in my part of Houston. No ice is to be found anywhere, the grocery stores are out of non-perishable food items, bottled water is unfound, no toilet paper/paper towels/paper plates etc... Yeah, it is a mess! Street lights are out everywhere, ppl driving stupid so there are accidents at about every intersection, police cars, fire engines, ambulances ALL OVER THE PLACE with their lights blinding u...

I worked from 10am to 4pm today and that sucked royally! doctors still have no power so they're not in but ppls prescriptions ran out and they were needing dr approvals for refills.... insurance companies were over-flooded with calls, ppl in panic mode wanting their narcotics *sigh* We will be open 8am to 6pm tomorrow and I'm really not looking forward to that!

Thanks everyone for the many prayers that have gone out for us and all of the ppl affected by IKE. It is very much appreciated.

[yankee 0]

Amal I know you are going to hunker down and stay put. I am praying for your safety. I'll be watching the radar as the storm moves over your area.

Who else do we have in the storms path?

I hope your power stays on so you can update us. If you lose internet, call Terrie and she can let us know you are safe. Love you amal and be safe.

Jackie

We got no power for 48hrs..We went to Killeen, Texas coz all hotels nearby were all pack..but we are safe now. we got back tonight, our nieghbor called my hubby that power got back this morning..got an impromtu vacation. Killeen folks are all nice!!!

[HLM 1]

Alhamdulillah u re doing ok Amal... im stillpraying for u all.

[Nasturtium 500]

We're still here at our friends house. Still no power and the water was at a slow trickle the last time I checked.

I bought some new clothes today (including undergarments toooooo)!!!! They feel GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got some new shoes too! Shopping always helps! My friend has a huuuuuuuuuge bath tub that's like a hot tub and LET-ME-TELL-YOUUUUU by the time I got out of that thang...I was reduced to a blob of jell-o and all was right with the world! Then we went out for pizza at a place called "pepperonis" and I don't think life could get much better than it is right now!

Back to the hurricane..... Most of the restaurants are still closed coz all the food went bad in the power outage. Well, and the fact that a lot of them don't have power back on yet could have something to do with it. There are no gas stations that DON'T have lines a mile long UNLESS they are out of gas. It's mass hysteria in my part of Houston. No ice is to be found anywhere, the grocery stores are out of non-perishable food items, bottled water is unfound, no toilet paper/paper towels/paper plates etc... Yeah, it is a mess! Street lights are out everywhere, ppl driving stupid so there are accidents at about every intersection, police cars, fire engines, ambulances ALL OVER THE PLACE with their lights blinding u...

I worked from 10am to 4pm today and that sucked royally! doctors still have no power so they're not in but ppls prescriptions ran out and they were needing dr approvals for refills.... insurance companies were over-flooded with calls, ppl in panic mode wanting their narcotics *sigh* We will be open 8am to 6pm tomorrow and I'm really not looking forward to that!

Thanks everyone for the many prayers that have gone out for us and all of the ppl affected by IKE. It is very much appreciated.

Ohhh sucks that you have an electric water pump (most houses do too actually, I think I do). So are you guys going to start a disaster kit? if you need help with that, let me know.. or it sounds like Noura has one going. It's always better to be prepared. Sounds crappy, but glad you're OK!

[Aymsgirl 0]

We ended up only going about 30 hours without electricity in our home. It was a screaming party in the neighborhood when electric got up and running again All of our food went bad so we will need to replenish. There are still homes here without electricity and water. I can't imagine being right in the middle of the hurricane because things are not good here in my part of Ohio from the high winds. There is no gas anywhere and when you get it you pay at times over 4.30 a gallon for it. No food, no bottled water, no hotel rooms, no street lights and the roads are closed everywhere with fallen trees covering them.

When my husband can use the pc at home and download the video I will post it for everybody to see. Also, my father's roof was blown off of his home, siding torn off and three very old, huge trees just uprooted out of his yard. We were totally unprepared for something like this. We thought it was just high winds, nothing like this.

I'm glad you are safe, have a warm tub and pizza Amal!!

[amal 4]

goodness aymsgirl! I'm glad you all are ok alhamdulillah! Sounds like its been a bit rough up there.

We're I'm going to start prepping a hurricane kit. More candles, more batteries, more crackers/canned stuff, generator, if not a generator the battery powered fans/radios, medicines, cards, books, games, flashlights, etc.

I'm gonna try to get some pictures of the house we're staying in...its flippin gorgeous!!!!! ensha'allah tonight I can get them!

[Muh and me 18]

Amal, am so glad you are all safe. Please let me know if there is anything i can send you. I would love to help you out somehow. I know the red cross and others are on their way down there to help provide food and water. Inshallah, I hope you find some help that way. Please let me know.

[Nasturtium 500]

A few ideas for people:

City water (unaltered-- not with the chlorine removed, if it's filtered then add a couple of drops of bleach-- plain bleach) can be stored in washed out 2-liter bottles not milk jugs-- but be careful to to use anything previously scented ... it will permeate your water. City water can be stored for almost 6 months without any additions in a dark, cool place like a closet. Be sure to keep some bleach on hand. When you open the water up you can pour it back and forth between two containers to "freshen" it and add a couple of drops of PLAIN bleach not concentrated or scented bleach if you are unsure. You need about 1 gallon per person per day-- this includes drinking and the basics of sanitation.

Consider adding MREs to your inventory and try them out... order a few kinds and try them COLD. You may not be in a position to cook. If you cannot stand it cold, then you need to try another meal. You may not like it really well, but you are not talking about a pleasant time anyway. I know great sites for MREs and for dried foods.

Peanut butter is excellent protien and stores without refridgeration. Tuna is great-- especially in the bags... you don't need a canopener then.

trail mix/nuts are also good.

Emergency unused and extra underwear is a good idea. Also, a sports bra. If you are stuck wearing the same things for days, a sports bra is better than a regular bra anyway for the long-term. you may also consider emergency socks.

A solar-powered flash light is a good idea. You may not be able to charge batteries.

I compiled a list with several options for different choices/situations.. this is a backpast list for keeping stuff in a backpack already packed so you can grab and go... but you can expand it to a car list where you keep things in totes-- like for hurricanes/storms. You want to keep things packed so you can grab and go, not just wander around and waste time.

Comprehensive Backpack List

Clothing:

Minimum 1 change of clothes, preferably 3

Extra socks (wool is good)

Coat

Hat

Bandana

Boots

Sunglasses

Scent-X long underwear

Rain poncho

Water:

3 liters per day per person

Small bottle of bleach

Iodine Tablets

Water purifying tablets

Water filter

First Aide Kit:

Bandages

Sterile Pads

Gauze

Tweezers

Surgical Razor

Disinfectant pads

Oxytetracycline

Imodium

Pepto-Bismol

Aspirin

Tylenol

Hydration salt

Vagisil

Eyeglasses

Contacts

Contact solution

Contact case

Whisky

Medications you may take

Medical Emergency Literature

Literature:

Maps with routes and locations of emergency centers, roads, etc

Hiking Emergency literature

Survival Manual

Other:

Small bills money

Personal documents

Sleeping:

Lightweight sleeping bag

Reflective space blanket

Wool blanket

Mosquito Netting

Hygiene:

Hand Sanitizer

Soap

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Hair pic

Hair ties

Toilet Paper

Wipes (baby/hygiene)

Lip balm

Sunscreen

Pads/tampons

Insect repellant

Shelter:

Rope

Bivvy/tube tent

Lightweight alpine tent

Camo Hammock

Trash bags

Fire:

Flint Striker

Dryer Lint

Cotton Char

Waterproof Matches

Magnifying glass

Butane/Kerosene

Dark Shoe Polish

Bic lighters

Mini (Altoids can) survival kit:

(4 fish hooks, 15’ 15lb line, safety pin, 10’ rope, 10 waterproof matches, striker, 1 large trash bag, 8 drops bleach, 1 birthday candle, 1 rubber glove, 1 BSA hot spark, 2 cotton balls, 2 band aids, 1 small bolt with nut, 1 small SAK, 2 jigsaw blades, 2 fishing flies—one wet, one dry, 5 split-shot sinkers, 1 rubber band)

Food:

Food for 3 days, MREs, etc

Jar of peanut butter

Rice cakes

Emergency bars

Dried fruit

Canned meat

Raw nuts

Can opener

Skillet

Aluminum foil

Garlic

Fish hooks

Fishing line

Hard Candy

Table Salt

Tools:

Swiss army knife

Flashlight: solar, crank, waterproof

Duct tape

Glo sticks

LED headlamp

Crow bar

Sewing kit

Cable Saw

Compass

Hatchet

Radio: battery or crank

Batteries

3 Walmart bags

Pen and Paper

Binoculars

Raft

[HLM 1]

We ended up only going about 30 hours without electricity in our home. It was a screaming party in the neighborhood when electric got up and running again All of our food went bad so we will need to replenish. There are still homes here without electricity and water. I can't imagine being right in the middle of the hurricane because things are not good here in my part of Ohio from the high winds. There is no gas anywhere and when you get it you pay at times over 4.30 a gallon for it. No food, no bottled water, no hotel rooms, no street lights and the roads are closed everywhere with fallen trees covering them.

When my husband can use the pc at home and download the video I will post it for everybody to see. Also, my father's roof was blown off of his home, siding torn off and three very old, huge trees just uprooted out of his yard. We were totally unprepared for something like this. We thought it was just high winds, nothing like this.

I'm glad you are safe, have a warm tub and pizza Amal!!

omg!!! Alhamdulillah u n ur family r safe!!

[Ban Hammer 13,501]

julianna, good list. extra socks are very important. also have extra shoes too, if possible boots that are waterproof.

also on the food list. canned beans, tuna, and so on. canned peaches, pineapple slices, and especially pears are great when your food choices are limited.

several sets of cheap sunglasses are good. also, include an old set of prescription glasses to this. it may come in very handy.

rain poncho can be a tarp too. at wal-mart

note that a swiss army knife has many of the tools you listed under food.

also, i'd add a .40 cal or larger plus 200 rounds, just in case

[S and S 12]

We didn't get hit by the storm really. Just one storm and it wasn't that bad. The one effect we have had is the fuel is running out at the gas stations. Today I noticed I was starting to get low and so I started looking where is cheapest. I passed three gas stations that were either completely out of fuel or only had premium. Found a few that were open, but it was $4.25 a gallon

[Nasturtium 500]

julianna, good list. extra socks are very important. also have extra shoes too, if possible boots that are waterproof.

also on the food list. canned beans, tuna, and so on. canned peaches, pineapple slices, and especially pears are great when your food choices are limited.

several sets of cheap sunglasses are good. also, include an old set of prescription glasses to this. it may come in very handy.

rain poncho can be a tarp too. at wal-mart

note that a swiss army knife has many of the tools you listed under food.

also, i'd add a .40 cal or larger plus 200 rounds, just in case

It is my list of things where basically depending on your situation you can pick through things and alter it to fit your conditions. obviously, those who are by the gulf may never need heavy long underwear. Men will never need pads/tampons. Etc. So lots of things actually duplicate. When my friends and I were making this up, we were joking about the whisky as being a great antiseptic and also great for shutting up the annoying person in your group

I am in the process of assembling my backpack. I think I left out communications devices.. people may want to think of a cell phone, mirrors, flares, etc in case you need to be reached. A crank radio can be a good idea. Candy is good for morale.

If you're going by car, extra gas can be a good idea... but be careful about how you store it in your vehicle. Gas fumes can go boom via static.

I remember seeing a sale a bit ago on MREs like a year's worth for one person or so, maybe a small family? Anyway it was like $400? $300? It wasn't that much and was a TON of stuff. MREs are heavy (imagining carrying around 20+ meals) for those who have never had to carry them around... if I were backpacking around with the thought of having to flee an area, I don't think I would take MREs unless I HAD to... I would take dehydrated/dry things and be sure I had lots of water filtration stuff. But that is me and my backpack is literally like half my size. For a bigger and stronger person like my husband, MREs may work... but still I would think you'd want to limit them. OTOH, they make EXCELLENT alternatives to starving during winter storms, tornadoes, storms of any kind...situations where you are basically stuck at home or stuck living out of your car.

It may seem like this is all weird and stuff, but if anyone remembers this past winter where people in OK and other places were stuck without power for a week or more... and of course the hurricanes.. and in AR people had no power for varying weeks in the winter and spring because of tornadoes... it can and does happen all over and it's better just to be prepared. Even if you're only prepared for a few days it's better than not being prepared at all. Lots of the food stuff can be cycled through your normal meal plans throughout the year and replaced with fresh so you're never stuck with bad food. Something else my friend who is always in hurrucanes told me she does-- she keeps flour on hand in giant 40lb bags. Flour is the basis for lots of meals you can make pretty quickly, easily and cheaply and over a fire if you need to do so. It may suck, but probably sucks less than starving to death.