With Irene still fresh in our minds, much of the East Coast was made very aware of just how unprepared they were for a potential disaster like a direct hit from a hurricane. Hurricanes can cause monumental destruction and just because you live inland from the coast does not mean you are protected. This has been re-discovered in regions like Central/Northwest NJ, Vermont, and NY state. Flooding from a massive influx of rain in these regions resulted in 100 year floods and resulted in severe river flooding, broken dams, and power outages that are still existing now 8 days later! While some headlines in NYC read "Irene, The Great Hurricane Hype", this is disconnected from the flooding that severely affected over 5 million people inland.

Many of those who are most affected were unfortunately the least prepared and are understanding first hand how some basic supplies and planning could have made this hurricane destruction much more manageable. While I'm hoping many of our readers are very familiar with the basics of disaster and hurricane preparation, I think it is important to revisit this subject. We're still at the beginning of hurricane season and paying attention to the Atlantic Ocean over the last week, I'm sure this will not be the last of the effects felt on the East Coast.

First and foremost, choose a location that is considered the safest place for when the storm hits. Any location that does not have windows is preferred to protect you and your family from high winds even if that means avoiding the basement so as not be to be exposed to flooding. If your home does not have a safe area, then you should make yourself aware of any emergency shelters near your home. If you have special medical needs or you know of family members or friends that do, please contact the local town and county to set up arrangements.

Critical - Food And Water

You should have enough non-perishable food and water in your home to last the family for at least 2 weeks. Two days before Irene made landfall, many supermarkets were brimming with folks stocking up and laying claim to some of the most valuable items. Rather than waiting for the last minute like the majority of the population did, purchase these items beforehand and choose items that have a long shelf life so that your investment is retained for years to come. The Wise food storage that we carry has a shelf life of 25 years and only requires water prior to consumption.

Having fresh water is also essential and we recommend having at least 1/2 gallon per person per day on hand. A berkey water filter is an inexpensive way to purify any water in or around your home, on the go in case you are forced to evacuate. The filters that come standard with the berkey systems will filter 6000 gallons per set of 2.

Supporting - Essential Supplies

Once you have the food and water straightened out, you'll need additional basic items like batteries, flashlights, etc. These are vital, especially in the likely event that your power goes out. Here's a list of some of the top items we recommend:

Shortwave/Weather Radio - For weather status and emergency recovery operations

Batteries - Power devices such as radios and flashlights

Medication for all family members - These sometimes get overlooked, but forgetting a simple item as an inhaler can be very dangerous during stressful times

First aid kit

Flashlights

Cash - Credit cards will not process when power is out.

Toiletries

Clothing

Other Things To Consider For Your Home

Whether your hunkering down at your home or leaving it to fend for itself, you'll want to make sure it can weather the storm as best as possible. This means boarding up windows, placing sandbags around the home, silicone sealing doors, windows, and crevices that may be prone to floodwaters, and making sure your sump pump (if you have one) is operational. A home generator is also very nice to have in the event of prolonged power outages like many Irene victims are still experiencing. They've come down in price and basic ones can be bought for under $500.

Finally, have a plan to take care of your pets. Depending on how many you have, this can become a cumbersome responsibility and should be thought through. One of the easiest options is to ask a friend or relative who is a safer place to watch them during the storm.

Proper preparation for a hurricane is not difficult, is relative inexpensive, and can make all the difference in the event of such a disaster. Don't hesitate to spend a little time planning today for dangerous events that may take place tomorrow.