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Hurricane Preparations

jmauld

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Feb 13, 2005
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672
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NC
Its going to be a category 1 when it gets to New England, so I can't help but think they are over reacting.

Its not like its a category 5. I think they need to worry about flooding and not worry about a little wind.

New England isn't as prepared for hurricanes as the southern states are. The flooding and a little wind could do a lot of damage to weak structures and trees that haven't already been weeded out by past hurricanes.
 
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DHCrocks

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May 2, 2008
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Hawaii
$158.00 a piece seems a little steep but I do like the thought. My door has the wind rated reinforcements but I can see something like this giving it a little extra security. I am not paying that much money however. Think I could make some out of a 4x4 post and a few brackets.

I never really thought about how weak these doors are until I installed one for the first time last week. Yeah, there is not much to them and they certainly require some strengthening to withstand a strong hurricane.


You guy's are lucky you don't have the crazy shipping cost. I think I paid close to $600 to get two of these things shipped to Hawaii. Yes, it's expensive but the way I see it if it holds my door inplace then it was more then worth the cost. I'm sure you could rig up something for next to nothing but is that something you want to macgyver up? These things were engineered for the loads and are real fast to put up. When I did a test run, I could install 2 braces in under 15 minutes.

The garage door is so flimsy, just putting my weight against it I can see how it could get blown out. Flex the middle of it enough and the wheels will pop right out of the brackets in the track. The braces will support the middle of the door so it can't flex.
 

green.bubbly

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Dec 14, 2008
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Lafayette, LA
New England isn't as prepared for hurricanes as the southern states are. The flooding and a little wind could do a lot of damage to weak structures and trees that haven't already been weeded out by past hurricanes.

It will be like a hot nor'easter.
 

buildmyown

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Mar 3, 2010
Messages
783
Location
Franklin Ma
Its going to be a category 1 when it gets to New England, so I can't help but think they are over reacting.

Its not like its a category 5. I think they need to worry about flooding and not worry about a little wind.

As a new englander I can say they are blowing this way out of proportion. Then again we havent had a major storm in 20 odd years and that was on the coast inland didnt get it that bad. The last bad storm that hit inland was Gloria back in 85 i think i was only 5 but that tore **** up, Iwas just looking at pictures of that storm with my mother. Flooding could be bad if we get the 10 inches of rain they are predicting for.

New England isn't as prepared for hurricanes as the southern states are. The flooding and a little wind could do a lot of damage to weak structures and trees that haven't already been weeded out by past hurricanes.

Wow the only accurate part of your statement is about the trees. Lots of old growth still around that is weak. Thats my only worry considering I live in the middle of the woods but I do need a new roof just saying.

My aunt lives down the cape right on the coast. They are taking it a little more serious then us inland but they have seen what strong storms can do.

In my opinion I think we have seen stronger storms in a winter noreaster then this little blow that is coming. The rains and flooding are going to be bad Id rater deal with the 70 or inches of snow we got last winter then flooding.

Im not to worried about not being able to get out plenty of gas for the saws all the saws ready to go truck filled up. Ill cut my way own way out if i have to just like we did in the snow/ice storm of 93. Where we went without power for 13 days in the dead of winter good thing we had a wood stove and a snowmbile to get around.

Also a good thing im self relient and dont have to depend on others for help in situations like this.
 
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59 wagon man

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Oct 25, 2010
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hollywood fla
it doesn't take much from a hurricane to ruin your day . while i didnt live down here thru andrew i came down a week later and it was just utter devastation. the last one to cause us concern was wilma ,3 days out they said it would be mild so i left for a class in hilton head s.c. 2 days out wife calls and says she's gonna drop the shutters just in case 1 day out she puts up the hurricane panels over the door monday morning im in class get a call saying she is in the linen closet with the kids and she can hear the roof coming off and the bedroom ceilings are leaking . i left immediately and headed home got to west palm beach area( look at a map of fla and the big circle of water you see towards the bottom is lake ockeechobee) from there on down there was no electric ,no streetlights ,nothing .once i got off the highway in my neighborhood what should have been a 5 minute drive took almost 45 mins driving around downed trees, telephone poles and those cheap metal sheds which blew around like a scene out of wizard of oz when dorothy's house flies away. it canbe devastating or it can be just a big wind with no damage err on the side of safety as once it hits with full force it's too late .VERY IMPORTANT !!!!!!!! for those who haven't lived thru a hurricane be very careful when it first appears to calm down, you might be right in the eye of the storm where it is peaceful and calm but very quickly and unexpectaly the eye will pass and the storm intensity will return in full force
 

jmauld

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Messages
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NC
Wow the only accurate part of your statement is about the trees. Lots of old growth still around that is weak. Thats my only worry considering I live in the middle of the woods but I do need a new roof just saying.
.

My apologies. I wasn't aware that nor'easters were as strong and devastating as Hurricanes.
 

59 wagon man

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hollywood fla
here is the bracing on my clopay garage door they are 2" x 6" steel beams running horizontally across each section attached every 3'
 

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buildmyown

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Franklin Ma
My apologies. I wasn't aware that nor'easters were as strong and devastating as Hurricanes.

Nope i owe you an apologie bad mood long day i was to short. With that said we do have building codes up here for hurricanes also most of the building is on the stronger side because we also have to deal with snow loads. I know snow loads and wind shear are different. Most of the buildings on the coast have storm shutters and the like. Granted we dont get the storms in both power and numbers that down south gets but we have had our share of them. Im not down playing hurricanes by any means if this storm was anything over a cat 1 i would be taking it a lot more serious. I guess im just sick of hearing about it on the news all week and all the hype over it. Hell they had the original path of the storm 200 miles to the east when it was still 2500 miles out.
 

jmauld

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NC
Nope i owe you an apologie bad mood long day i was to short. With that said we do have building codes up here for hurricanes also most of the building is on the stronger side because we also have to deal with snow loads. I know snow loads and wind shear are different. Most of the buildings on the coast have storm shutters and the like. Granted we dont get the storms in both power and numbers that down south gets but we have had our share of them. Im not down playing hurricanes by any means if this storm was anything over a cat 1 i would be taking it a lot more serious. I guess im just sick of hearing about it on the news all week and all the hype over it. Hell they had the original path of the storm 200 miles to the east when it was still 2500 miles out.
I'm with you on that. We cut our beach vacation short this weekend. Had I known it was going to weaken and not come as far west as they were saying, we would've stuck it out. Oh well, better safe than sorry.

edit: We have those hurricane building codes as well, but I wouldn't have expected my garage (as built to code) to hold up to a category 2 hurricane. It was just too weak. It was so bad that my bench vice attached to a bench that was attached to the wall was nearly useless. I had to add additional structure to it to make the walls more sturdy, just so I could use my tools properly.
 
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buildmyown

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Franklin Ma
I'm with you on that. We cut our beach vacation short this weekend. Had I known it was going to weaken and not come as far west as they were saying, we would've stuck it out. Oh well, better safe than sorry.

Very true. The other thing im always ready for something like this and forget that the majority of the people that have now come into new england dont know which end of a hammer to use so thats why the news has to hype it up and drill into them.
 

jmauld

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Messages
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NC
Very true. The other thing im always ready for something like this and forget that the majority of the people that have now come into new england dont know which end of a hammer to use so thats why the news has to hype it up and drill into them.

That's something I need to work on. I generally do have to run out and get a few supplies before an event like this. I have the space to keep a better stock of supplies, I just get slack about it.
 

Will67

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Hell's half acre
I hope it is much a do about nothing. But reporters always seem to find the dumbest toothless person they can find after to be spokesperson for devastated neighborhood
 

Bull

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I live on a hill, but have heavy clay soil and improper grading around my house. My main concern is that the basement will flood if we lose power and the sump pump can't operate.

I also am ignorant of what, exactly, 70mph winds can do to things like windows and roofs. That's the highest speed anticipated here. I brought all outside objects inside...except the GTO. I am scrambling to make room in the barn to get that in tomorrow.
 

buildmyown

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Franklin Ma
That's something I need to work on. I generally do have to run out and get a few supplies before an event like this. I have the space to keep a better stock of supplies, I just get slack about it.

I have a few things to grab in the morning but nothing major I dont plan on being stuck or without power for very long from this storm.
 

buildmyown

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I live on a hill, but have heavy clay soil and improper grading around my house. My main concern is that the basement will flood if we lose power and the sump pump can't operate.

I also am ignorant of what, exactly, 70mph winds can do to things like windows and roofs. That's the highest speed anticipated here. I brought all outside objects inside...except the GTO. I am scrambling to make room in the barn to get that in tomorrow.

Will you get that GTO inside thats the first thing i would have done. 70mph winds can do some damage if your roof is old meaning the shingles you might have a few lift or tear. Large old single pane windows can flex and maybe brake. My biggest concern are the trees the ground is going to be soaked the trees are heavy with leaves 70 will blow them over if they have a shallow root system like Pines and Maples.
 
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73 Mustang Bill

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May 27, 2011
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Some of you think that these storms just a little rain, a light breeze, and that's it?

Here are two pictures of my dock, one normally and one after Tropical Storm Fay in 2008. No, not even a hurricane. BTW, that's a river otter on the dock. Been here 14 years, have seen it 3 times, although there ere other times I saw the water moving as they were leaving.

I lost my pictures from 2004 when we had 4 hurricanes blow through Florida. The ground was so wet, I had a 68 foot pine tree fall and hit the ground at 7:00 am on a Sunday. I was out of bed a millisecond later. The tree had fallen parallel to the house, across the walkway. A few degrees to the right and it would have hit the bedroom where I was sleeping.

With four storms through here, the county couldn't pick up the yard waste fast enough. It was stacked on the street 30 feet long, 3-4 feet high. When the subsequent hurricanes came through, that possed the threat of being thrown around due to the wind.

Bad times.... Don't like these big He-Men downplay it. Driving in 100 mph winds on rain-slicked road is just frickin' stupid. Well, I guess that would be the idiots that are drunk when it hits, who wouldn't be sober enough to save themselves and their loved ones if they had to.

God must love idiots, because he made so many of them.
 

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Bull

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Will you get that GTO inside thats the first thing i would have done. 70mph winds can do some damage if your roof is old meaning the shingles you might have a few lift or tear. Large old single pane windows can flex and maybe brake. My biggest concern are the trees the ground is going to be soaked the trees are heavy with leaves 70 will blow them over if they have a shallow root system like Pines and Maples.

The barn has been home to projects and reorganizing all summer, and stuffed to the gills/a mess. I know I should have the car in already, but just am behind. It's not even running right...keeps stalling. Hopefully, it will run long enough to get in there, otherwise I will have to push/pull/ do whatever because I am NOT leaving it out in those winds.

I have a newer (fewer than 10 years) roof, and replacement windows so should be good there, then. The metal roof on my old barn is lifting in a few places, so maybe that will be trouble. I do have one old, already dying and weak maple sort of close to my house, but I think it's far enough away that of it comes down only the thin upper branches might graze my house.
 

WRX/Z28

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Roebling, NJ
Make extra ice, and turn your fridge temp to as cold as it will go. This could mean the difference between spoiled food, and edible food. At the very least, it will keep it cold longer. Also, a full fridge will stay cold longer than an empty one. I just filled mine with any drinks in the pantry for just this reason...
 
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slip knot

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Mar 22, 2010
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Texas gulf coast
Had a cat 1 thru here 4? yrs ago. Claudette. Be prepared for lots of trees down and loss of power for up to 10-14 days. other than that not too bad.

Don't leave your generator running outside unattended it will be stolen. if you have lights at night the neigbors will come see you. To conserve fuel run your genset every four hous for @ 1 hour or until all your freezers/fridges cycle off. You won't have enough fuel to run AC full time.

Helped my family thru Katrina and found that the house will survive the wind but the tidal surge is a killer. if you live in lowlands get out.

Good luck and god bless.
 

59 wagon man

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hollywood fla
I live on a hill, but have heavy clay soil and improper grading around my house. My main concern is that the basement will flood if we lose power and the sump pump can't operate.

I also am ignorant of what, exactly, 70mph winds can do to things like windows and roofs. That's the highest speed anticipated here. I brought all outside objects inside...except the GTO. I am scrambling to make room in the barn to get that in tomorrow.

if you lose power frequently during storms you can look into a water powered sump pump
 

Recoil Rob

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Jul 18, 2011
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NY
Long-time resident of Florida, so we get more than our share of hurricanes. Thought I'd offer up my hurricane prep list. Some of these things don't apply to everyone, but maybe it makes you think about your own situation.

16. Move to the Midwest

Rather deal with hurricanes than tornadoes.

This is the first year I have kept a boat in the water. It's a small one, a 14' open dory with a bilge pump. It's docked at one of the local clubs in Norwalk CT. I just zoomed in on the online map of the projected path of Irene and the centerline passes through Norwalk Harbor, about 500yds from my boat. No one else at the club had pulled theirs as of this afternoon but i'm taking a ride down tomorrow and I may pull it to be safe but I think this is getting blown out of proportion.
 

OccupantRJ

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May 15, 2009
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Eastern North Carolina
Channel 259 and two others on Direct TV have a good realtime radar broadcast going of the hurricane, at least here in NC. You may or may not get this channel, as the tv receiver is keyed to zip codes for some programming. Winds here are gusting at 43 mph, but I am luckily on the extreme edge of things. My wife just authorized the opening of a storm shelter here to handle overflow from another one. Rain in member Uncle Joe's town of New Bern is being reported at 6 inches right now.
 

RobSmith

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NSW Australia
This is low country...an underground bunker would be an underground swimming pool around here....very very few basements in this area for that reason
In Adelaide, Australia..there's a mob that builds fully sealed under ground "wine cellars/ bunkers/ storage". Just dig a hole, drop it in then bury it. These would be ideal for a bunker. They are fully sealed with the entrance from the top....ladder or stairs. Take your pick. Surely in the USA there's someone that builds these.
 

7echo

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Feb 16, 2008
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coastal Georgia
Top off and maybe get an extra propane tank or 2 for the grill if you plan on staying.

What do you guys see for insurance issues? I always figure I have good insurance so I plan on not spending too much time boarding up windows. The wife keeps several boxes of important paper work. My plan is to just take the chain saw and shotgun. Need a chainsaw to cut my way back in, and a shotgun to 'discourage' the looters. After the traffic problems I have seen during evacuations I think we will try to leave a day or so earlier than an evac order would come. I saw interviews and TV footage when Floyd caused an evacuation of Savannah a few years ago. I saw where people were stuck in traffic for many hours. 15 or more hours to go what normally took like 3. That means there were a lot of people in cars still in the danger zone, I bet a bunch of them would be better off back home than trapped in traffic.
 

mpire

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Nov 21, 2008
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Florida
I still think you guys up North need to sit back and enjoy the extra days off.

Its getting weaker. Just stay home, sleep in, relax, watch some TV, and don't worry about a category 1 hurricane.

I can't help but think that this is being "blown" way out of proportion by the news media and every television station. No one does anything but stay home when we get a category 1 down here.
 

OccupantRJ

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Eastern North Carolina
Top off and maybe get an extra propane tank or 2 for the grill if you plan on staying.

What do you guys see for insurance issues? I always figure I have good insurance so I plan on not spending too much time boarding up windows. The wife keeps several boxes of important paper work. My plan is to just take the chain saw and shotgun. Need a chainsaw to cut my way back in, and a shotgun to 'discourage' the looters. After the traffic problems I have seen during evacuations I think we will try to leave a day or so earlier than an evac order would come. I saw interviews and TV footage when Floyd caused an evacuation of Savannah a few years ago. I saw where people were stuck in traffic for many hours. 15 or more hours to go what normally took like 3. That means there were a lot of people in cars still in the danger zone, I bet a bunch of them would be better off back home than trapped in traffic.

Flooding will be the thing that gets most people as far as insurance. Mobile home policies in NC automatically include flood insurance, but standard homeowner's insurance does not. This got a lot of people during the hurricane Floyd floods in 1999 here. Even mobile homes like a doublewide that have standard homeowner insurance purchased for them revert automatically to mobile homeowner's insurance after ten to fifteen years.
 

draglink

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Jul 2, 2006
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Hayes, Va
OOOOOOOF my head hurts...1st hurricane party down, 2nd starts in a few minutes with ****** marys and screw drivers!

Had a few really good gusts here with the bands coming thru, branches, limbs down.....worst will be around 8pm for us.....along with a high tide-:shocking:
 

Cryptic1911

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May 24, 2008
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Willimantic, CT
We moved all the small stuff that can blow around inside both garages, and then put all the cars inside:

web.jpg


web.jpg
 

cowboyjosh

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Mar 11, 2010
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Its partly cloudy and 90 in Colorado right now. Heading out to the Broncos / Seattle pre season game. Good luck everyone in the path of this somewhat over hyped(imo) hurricane, be sure to return the favor and think of us when we get one of our infamous blizzards.
 

draglink

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Hayes, Va
Its partly cloudy and 90 in Colorado right now. Heading out to the Broncos / Seattle pre season game. Good luck everyone in the path of this somewhat over hyped(imo) hurricane, be sure to return the favor and think of us when we get one of our infamous blizzards.

WAAAAAAAY hyped!! ...and Im in the middle of it as I type this!
 

PaulR

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May 25, 2010
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Hadley MA
Still calm weather and drunk as a skunk here in WMass where the eye will go through tomorrow. 80 max winds I'm reading now, by the time she hits us it'll be 60, not sure why I even put the Weber in the garage. We did splurge and get lobsters for dinner tonight, that's about all I got........oh, Stihl is gassed and ready to rock just in case....bbring it bdich. :pimpflash
 

IH82BL8

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Jun 4, 2009
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500
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Bowie, Md
Also keep your garbage disposal clear. If you lose power for an extended period of time, you don't want that stuff festering in the drain, and you don't want to have to screw with wiring it so it can be run by the generator.
 

mpire

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Nov 21, 2008
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Florida
And it turned out to be nothing.

They sure hyped it up.

It was almost as bad as Al Capone's vault.
 

nehog

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Jaffrey, NH
I'll say this, my big ***'ed generator is letting me post worthless **** on GJ! bit noisy, and drinks diesel fuel, but we have lights because of it... Going out in a bit to see where the 'failure' is, I know it is within a mile of my house.
 
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