Getting Ready for Storms
There’s no one-size-fits-all prep plan that works for everybody. Prepping for bad weather is like every thing else the more information you have the better off you’ll be. If you’ve lived in your neighborhood for a while you know if your area floods when it’s rainy.
You might still want to check the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder you can enter your address and find out if you’re in an area prone to flooding. You can also sign up for Notify NYC this service offered by the NYC Office of Emergency Management will send text, email, and voice message alerts about emergency events.
I’m in a high-rise building, I’m not worried about the water coming up to my window on the 11th floor, but if my building’s basement floods there goes washing my clothes and it might affect my heat.
Get your emergency bag ready if you don’t already have one. If you have to leave your home you’ll have what you need for at least 3 days in it.
Have a battery operated radio so that you can stay informed about the weather in case the cable goes out. My internet connection comes though the cable company too so I wouldn’t have internet access if a storm knocked out cable too.
I’m looking into getting a space heater. Something that could keep at least one room in my apartment warm. If anyone has recommendations about space heaters I’d love to hear about it.
Have at least one flashlight and lay in a supply of batteries. I have candles, but I consider them the lighting of last resort. I’m just more comfortable with flashlights.
The Red Cross has a recipe for a basic kit that you can get you started. Add specific items that your family needs to round it out.
