What Else Can I Do to Get Ready For The Storm?

[Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk]

Wasn't overly worried (still aren't tbh) but thought back to 1987, and decided to get a bit organised tonight in case of power cut tomorrow.

I'm asking for tips, or things I've missed that would be useful. So far I have:

Charged torches, batteries, will charge pc, phones, power banks tonight.

Got out big flask to put hot water in for hot drinks all day.

Will shower / wash hair tonight in case nothing working tomorrow.

Got a frozen batch meal out of the freezer that can be re heated over the camping stove in one saucepan.

Got camping stove, gas, out of garage.

Put candles, matches, all in an east to find place.

(Love being prepared - will make a master list and laminate it I expect )

Appreciation in advance for you thoughts and tips.

I've bought the patio furniture into the garage, wedged the bins into the corner behind the car so hopefully they don't fall over. Will make sure phone and tablet and powerbanks are fully charged and a flask of hot water before bedtime. I know where the torch is, nothing else currently 😁

I’m going to lay the outdoor table tennis table on its side. That’s all I can think of.

We have loads of trees in our garden. I’m hoping we won’t lose any.

I'm going make sure the dc put their switches on to charge. That's about as much as I've thought. I feel very un prepared now. I'm a district nurse and have to go to Work tomorrow, I'm in Wales on the coast so I'm hoping it's going to be ok 😱

I’ve done nothing😱

I’m also a nurse and staff have cancelled tomorrow so instead of 9-5, I am having to do a long day tomorrow. DH will have to manage any power cuts etc himself.

I’m just worried fence panels will come down and about our cat🥰🤗

Have put a brick on top of the recycling bins so I hopefully won't lose paper all over the garden. Will charge phones and have a bath. Didn't do a big shop in case electrify goes off and the fridge doesn't work.
Have a new book to read in case the telly is off or internet is down. Other than that, haven't prepared - there's alcohol in the house so essentials covered

Any pets? I’d take my dog for an extra walk today and make sure I had treats etc
Do you have a battery powered radio so you can keep up to date on news?

Warm stuff all to hand?

The BBC is hyping everyone up. It is not going to be that bad. We are not in Kentucky. I have made sure my Mum has a working torch and some blankets as her gas heating depends on electricity. I will make sure my phone is charged. There are probably people in the shops right now panic buying candles and torches…

Um...I might buy a loaf of bread...

@CosmicComfort that's rubbish, hope your long day goes ok. I've got 3 cats so I'm locking the cat flap once they're in tonight. I dont want them getting blown away.

Any hot water bottles in case you are feeling cold?

Do the laundry in case you can’t do it for a few days? We use tumble drier a lot so might blitz todays load today.

It’s going to be a huge anticlimax.

Ive covered the patio furniture and put DPs weight plates on top to weigh it all down - i dont have anywhere to put it all, so it needs to stay where it is.

My bins have just been emptied so ive put them on their side in anticipation for them being blow over and thats about it really.

@Eggshausted

The BBC is hyping everyone up. It is not going to be that bad. We are not in Kentucky. I have made sure my Mum has a working torch and some blankets as her gas heating depends on electricity. I will make sure my phone is charged. There are probably people in the shops right now panic buying candles and torches…

Given that storm Arwen, which was not as ferocious in prediction knocked out power for thousands of people for almost a fortnight, I don't think reporting a predicted 90 mph wind on landfall is "hyping" anyone up.

Our infrastructure is not designed for us to live off grid so no electricity for most means no heat because that's how the boiler ignites no way of cooking and the possibility of food perishing. Plus now they're cutting off the copper phone lines it means no way of contacting emergency services without a mobile phone and function mobile network (those masts are just as likely to be affected as electrical ones).

That's before you even start to look at risk of life because of flying debris.

You're right, this isn't Kentucky. So people don't have storm cellars, local communities don't have recognised rescue/relief points, people don't have a 'back up'for power or heating.

People are allowed to take on board the message that all media is giving and sensibly prepare without derision from folk like you.

It hasn't even crossed my mind to "do" anything! . A tree from next door fell last night and narrowly missed our car, so we moved the car. That's it.

What exactly do you think is going to happen??

@bluepeacock - probably nothing more than a bit of wind (?) .... but I'm keen to have my plans for the day uninterrupted if possible, so thinking phones, coffee, warmth. . . We lost two huge trees in the garden last night, but they didn't hit anything, so no problem. (At some point someone will chop them up for firewood) apparently tomorrows weather is due to be worse... so I really don't want to not be able to wfh as I've got so much I'd like to get done, and if I don't do it tomorrow it will eat into the weekend.

If power lines go down, having a fully charged phone and power bank will keep you in touch with the outside world. Always useful

If power is out, that can affect all sorts of other things. So worth having enough in for 48hours or so. But if you haven't already got that sorted, then it's too late.

My weekly Ocado order is due tomorrow evening - I wonder if it'll turn up!!

Roped up the bins, checked nothing loose in garden, charged up stuff. If power goes off we can use camping stuff or use gas cooker in caravan for food and hot drinks. I will probably have to wrap up and read my Kindle if powers off as battery lasts ages on that

@bluepeacock

It hasn't even crossed my mind to "do" anything! . A tree from next door fell last night and narrowly missed our car, so we moved the car. That's it.

What exactly do you think is going to happen??

Haven't you just answered your own question there?

I hope the naysayers are right and it's the proverbial storm in a teacup but down here in Cornwall many schools are closing early for half term, my work (govt department) and many others have cancelled all non-essential travel, flights to/from Newquay are cancelled and the trains are running on a speed restriction so I'd wager it's going to be pretty bad. We get plenty of high winds here, what with there being nothing between us and the US, but I am quite worried this time.

That said, if the leccy goes off I'll be getting the knitting out.

Imma eat all the ice cream in the freezer tonight don’t want to waste anything :-)

@Loocheeyar - good plan! Will raid the freezer for any nice nibbles. Just in case ...

Keep any pets in. Move your car away from your roof if possible

I wouldn't put a brick on the bin because if the wind catches the lid then you've just flung a brick into your car or the neighbours front garden.

I don't think 100 mph winds as predicted are nothing. That can take a roof off

Garden furniture and bins are secured. Everything is charged, I’ve located the torch, candles & matches.

And bought a load of reduced to clear croissants and doughnuts from Sainsburys, alongside about 6 packets of biscuits so we’re not relying on cooking anything, obviously