For My Friends in Sandy's Path

I pray you won't need this, but here are some things that I found very helpful in the last hurricane here. Unfortunately, I have had way too much experience with hurricanes :-(

1. If you have a smart phone, find a good app. The app that I used for Isaac was Hurricane Software.com (I have an android phone). It was excellent! I also had a local weather station app, but wasn't able to use it much as it was too slow. Also helpful was the WeatherBug app which gave loud warning noise when there were weather warnings.
2. Basic Emergency Supply List (from FEMA)
•Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
•Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
•Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
•Flashlight and extra batteries
•First aid kit
•Whistle to signal for help
•Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
•Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
•Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
•Manual can opener for food
•Local maps
•Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
3. My personal favorite items to have on hand:
Coleman battery operated family lantern with extra batteries
Propane stove(s) and extra propane
Coffee for stove and creamer!
4. Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit (from FEMA):
Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable containerCash or traveler’s checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire ExtinguisherMatches in a waterproof container Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

Another good link is: http://www.getagameplan.org/planFamily.htm
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
www.ready.gov