Hurricane Irene Barreling Up the East Coast, US

[stephL]

If you're on the East Coast, what are your concerns as a Sjogren's patient? How are you preparing?


I'm most concerned about the various consequences of losing power. The last time we had a big storm, we lost power for 7 days and lost all the food in the fridge and freezer. I dread losing the use of my humidifier. I get the worst coughing fits when it's not on. I need to get some laundry done. But the thing I will miss most is not having the use the computer. Since I can't get out much, being online is my lifeline to friends, communication, entertainment, news and info. It will be so boring and lonely without it. I have one online friend who is really worried about me and he spent the evening checking the map of where I live and monitoring the news reports. I don't like to worry him. Yes I'm fretting. lol


My son will go shopping to stock us up with emergency supplies tomorrow. We have to move my computer desk away from the window. Water supplies may be contaminated or disrupted, so I have to set aside water for bathing, cooking, drinking, flushing toilets etc. Whatever happens, it's going to require increased activity levels and I don't want to go into a flare. And yes, I am a bit afraid for my safety and how well I would be able to cope if evacuations were ordered. Let's hope Hurricane Irene veers out to sea.

[LizPetillo]

Turned the refridgerator and freezer to maximum cold so that the perishables that I can eat that are stored in there will last longer.

Because we sjogrens folks can't eat most of the non-perishables that people stalk up on  ... bread, cereal, pasta, pastries, sugars etc etc etc ..... (those are triggers for the disease) .... we've got canned chicken for me to eat when the power goes out.  Got a bunch of cans of chicken from Target.

Got a few bunches of green bananas and cucumbers ... after the power goes out and the stuff I can eat in the fridge runs out then those will be ripe and ready for me.

Got easy light charcoal for the grill ... to grill up the meat in the freezer when it defrosts from no power.   We can have the pork chops and steaks that I stocked up on.

Got about 20 cases of water from LOWES.  They have the best prices.

I'm sure we'll have a 'boil water' order when the power comes back on.  We already have saturated ground and the 6-12 inches of rain forecast will cause massive flooding.  So I'm doing all the laundry today ... as well as all the vacuuming today .... etc etc etc

Got the usuall stuff together ... short wave radio with extra batteries ... candles are out and ready .... tons of matches .... cars filled up with gas ....

[waterbby100]

I just hate hurricanes, I live 20 min from the coast in NC. Not only do we have to prepare by getting every thing in we have 50 chickens to try and catch and put into their coop! Lots of energy trying to get that done. The worst part is the low pressure makes my arthritis hurt SO bad! I can hardly stand it. We wont have internet once the storm comes as I have satellite internet and it doesn't pick up when there are storms. Being in the woods we risk having trees land on our car or house.

SO....I will try and take it one thing at a time and get what I can done. I will try not to worry cause it doesn't do any good. Plan on getting laundry done. We already have gas for the generator so we don't loose our food from the power being out.

I hope you all fare well and no one gets hurt during this storm.

Blessings,
Kimber

[mshistory]

I live in a state that gets hit by hurricanes frequently, so I know what you are all going through right now.

I just wanted to add...in the case of widespread power outages that affect a large area, make sure you have an extra month's supply of any meds you are taking if possible. After Katrina, even parts of the state that weren't hit directly by the hurricane were affected through computer failures, gas shortages, drug shortages, etc. Pharmacies in the other side of the state couldn't access patient records from local pharmacies in the path of the hurricane, and people were swarming into pharmacies in a panic trying to get their medications but pharmacists had no way of accessing their prescriptions.

Please be safe and evacuate if it is recommended!

Sharyn

[Patty]

I live in NC about an hour in from the coast and our main concern is power outages and flooding. We put gas in the cars, got some cash, did the laundry and stocked up on non-perishables. Our power goes out frequently so we already have lots of candles and flashlights, and a propane cook stove. I consolidated everything from my 2 refrigerators into one and am saving ice to put in a cooler with things we can eat. Also got my Rx that are nearly out refilled. All the extra activity is wearing me out so I have been taking a 2-hour nap in the afternoon. Oh what would I do without my naps!

Since our family is in another state, we asked my MIL to update them if needed. That way we only need to make one call to let everyone know we are fine. Of course, cell phones might not work anyway.

[waterbby100]

We have been working all morning getting things strapped down and put away. The chickens are not wanted to be cooperative!! I am exhausted!! To much work and very hot and sticky out. I think I sweat all my water out!! I filled 3 Five Gallon buckets with water plus we bought 12 gallons a week ago for emergencies. Will fill the bathtub with water to flush and wash hands etc. I just boiled 30 eggs so that the family will have something good to snack on. Fresh veggies in fridge.

Time for me to nap and tune out for awhile!!!

They are saying that the eye may not hit the coast but we are still in for hurricane force winds and rain. I will be glad when this is over.

Take care everyone,

Kimber

[Jozee]

I live on the West Coast and have only been through one hurricane and it was nothing compared to what you all must experience regularly. Just reading your posts makes me worry for all of your safety and health. Please, please be so careful and update us when you can.

You are all in my prayers.

I have to add that filling the bathtub was a great tip!!

[aussie mum]

Good luck to all of you.  Hope there is not too much damage and everyone is safe.

We had some very nasty Cyclones (that's what we call hurricane's in Australia) at the beginning of this year so we Aussies can relate.

[Katybarstool]

I feel so sorry that you are all having to make such preparations. We may not have good weather in the UK, but tank God, we don't have hurricanes either.

Sending you all my prayers and positive vibes.

Kathyx

[Skylar]

We lived where Hurricane Bob landed years ago - pretty exciting and luckily we didn't have any damage. But it's also scary and I hope no one suffers from Hurricane Irene.

[susanep]

I have prayed for all of you in the area of the storm. Yes, when you can let everyone know  you are safe. Get rest as you can, but I know you have to do certain things to be prepared.

susanep 

[lynnmarie219]

Keeping you all from the East coast in my thoughts...stay safe and lets continue to hope and pray that Irene turns and heads back out away from any land.

[hollowoakfarm]

I'm also in NC.  I've moved the sheep to the barn pasture closest to the house and secured the rabbits.  It's starting in here tonight, and the chickens and turkeys have gone to bed on their own so no worries there.  Generator is checked, and we can run the pump, fridge and freezers from it.  There is always enough food here for an army.  Hubby has relocated rain barrels, checked the roof drains lines, cleared the gutters, and all that fun stuff.  I think we're good to go.

I don't have any extra concerns because of the Sjogrens.  I'll enjoy the extra humidity, though!  I may be hot, sticky and sweaty, but my eyes will be moist!

[stephL]

Thanks for all the tips and good wishes! It's very cheering! mshistory, (Sharyn), I took heed of your warning and got my prescriptions filled today. Please everyone in the line of the storm path, report back to us here and let us know how you're doing and how things went. It looks like the storm has been downgraded in strength a little and if I'm not mistaken, it has slightly moved to the east. Here is the real time projection.


http://crisislanding.appspot.com/

[waterbby100]

Made it through ok. We have downed trees and my greenhouse will need work but everyone is fine. I put ear plugs in and slept all night! Muscle relaxers helped some to keep pain at bay. I am glad its over and our power is back before it gets hot tomorrow! I hope everyone else fared as well.

Kimber