Prepared

Oct 24

This is a continuation of a prior article. Read Part I here where I documented some of what it was like being impacted by this powerful storm.

As promised, a list of items that helped me weather Hurricane Helene and thrive comfortably at home with no power for 9 days.

I’m hoping to inspire you to be well-prepared for unexpected events. You may consider different preparations for other types of emergencies or disasters.

In no particular order, the items I was grateful for, (or would have been grateful for):

1. BREEO - outdoor cooking system. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this fire pit - even when there is no storm!

The most delicious meals can be created on this system, and I definitely loved having hot food to share during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. If you want to see some of what I cooked, take a peek at the video.

Thanks to the Breeo, we enjoyed warm nights and hot food from the comfort of the back porch, and if the stars align, I’ll be adding this to my outdoor “kitchen.”

2. The Generator: The FIRMAN generator was purchased at Costco.com online and it was delivered directly to my home. It is relatively easy to maneuver and operate. It ran my fridge, kept many phones charged throughout the storm, and illuminated plug-in outdoor lights. It could have done more, but that’s how I used it. Be aware of gas usage and oil changes to keep the generator functioning properly.

3. Solar lanterns: This was the lantern I used. I charged it in the sun each day and it provided enough light to illuminate a room each night. It has adjustable levels of brightness, and it can also be charged on a generator.

Some solar lights have other features that might be useful like these that collapse and don’t take up much space making them perfect for an emergency bag or tote.

4. Backup chargers like these were helpful for charging phones overnight. They were easily recharged on a generator or in the car during the day.

5. A coffee-press is a hot commodity! I love mine even when I have electricity (check it out here) , but this one looks really helpful while camping or in a situation where there is no electricity.

6. Cut firewood and fat wood is a must-have for cooking and evening fires. In the winter during an outage, wood may be the only source of heat.

7. Gasoline makes the list if you have a gas-powered generator. I would plan to have 3-4 days of gasoline on hand stored in proper containers. During natural disasters, it may take days or weeks for gasoline to be available and accessible. A few extra gallons for the car is a good idea, and always fill your tank before a major storm.

8. These 36 hour survival candles provide a lot of light and warmth.

9. Outdoor solar-powered string lights can help light the dark.

10. One thing I loved having was Atmosphoria’s essential oil spray to combat odors. It’s an essential oil air spray and is completely non-toxic. The “Lavender Love” scent was a welcome contrast to a week’s worth of living wild, and I used an entire bottle during Hurricane Helene. Shoes, rooms, bedding, teens, cars, and my pillow every night before bed.

11. Beeswax tealight candles provide a soft light that I love. They are non-toxic and can be used in a variety of ways.

12. I included a gauze blanket on the list. They are breathable, soft, versatile, and durable. Gauze fabric can help to regulate body temperature and allow for air circulation. It made sleeping outdoors more comfortable.

13. I realized during the storm that I had a solar powered mounted motion detector flood light on the corner of my house. It lit the way for taking the dogs out and carrying wood to the porch. Some, like these, can be staked into the ground.

14. Catering burners would have been AWESOME to have on hand. Even making coffee would have been a much simpler process with a burner. I have since added these to my prep collection.

15. A Solar Powered Weather Radio “offers a rechargeable battery, ideal for outdoor use or during power outages. It provides reliable NOAA/AM/FM emergency weather updates, and features a bright flashlight, a reading lamp, a loud SOS alarm, a smooth hand-crank, and a large solar panel for battery charging. These features ensure you and your family stay safe and informed.”

16. Batteries of various sizes might be helpful. I used them for flashlights.

17. Long extension cords are useful for connecting appliances to the generator.

18. A camping stove for light cooking and boiling water would be a useful asset.

19. Long bendable lighters and matches can be quite useful.

20. Flashlights of all sizes can be helpful but I found these smaller ones to be useful.

21. Tiki torches and citronella oil are great for lighting the space and keeping the bugs away. I consider these a must-have for summer nights and post-hurricane conditions.

22. A first aid kit might be useful. During Hurricane Helene, our emergency services and medical facilities were strained and even restricted, at times.

23. A headlamp makes being in the dark easier. I didn’t have one but my neighbor did, and it’s a smart way to keep hands free.

24. Utility towels were helpful. Things were messy at times, and it was nice having a stack of utility towels to pull from instead of our regular towels. After the storm, we were in and out a lot, and everything was wet and muddy. We lined the walkways and entryways with towels to collect the mess. They are easy to bleach and store.

25. Rapid Radios look awesome! I learned about them during the storm and everything I’ve read looks ideal in an emergency situation. They are walkie-talkie’s with national reach - totally private and with no monthly fees.

26. Bluetti Global portable power station was helpful for charging phones and backup batteries at times when we were not running the generator.

27. Have you seen this filtering Life straw? It would not have been useful in our situation, but it would be ideal to have in a preparedness kit.

28. Utility knives are always useful.

29. A chainsaw was helpful in removing limbs, unblocking roadways, and clearing debris.

30. Dawn power spray was helpful. Who knew cleaning could be so challenging without hot water?

31. Compostable baby wipes or regular baby wipes can be nice to have on hand for a variety of purposes.

32. Hand warmers like these might be nice to have in the winter, while cooling towels like these might offer welcome relief in the summer.

33. Did I mention that I was house training a new puppy during all of this? (Nope, not exhausting, at all!)

I planned ahead knowing that neither she NOR I would love bathroom training during a hurricane. I bought a grass training pad and she actually used it!

It helped so much during the storm, while the ground was wet, and during times when I couldn’t get her to the yard fast enough.

I was thrilled with how well it worked out in this situation.

Highly recommend, and it’s very easy to clean.

34. Paper goods, like plates and cups, might be helpful if you are in a situation where water is limited. They are burnable if you have a fire pit, which cuts down on trash.