For those who have experienced a hurricane, the sheer amount of rainfall—and the resulting flooding—can be catastrophic. Below are notes compiled from the group meeting at UUCGL last fall, including preparation tips compiled by Karen Jackson and additional resources gathered from boaters who have weathered major storms.
Hurricane Preparation Tips (by Karen Jackson)
Prior to a Hurricane
-
Set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Run the ice maker to capacity and store ice packs in the freezer; consider buying extras.
-
Charge all cell phones and electronic devices.
-
Empty trash cans and bring potted plants and porch furniture inside.
-
Buy a canned ham (if unused, donate later to a Christmas charity).
-
Run the dishwasher and do laundry—even if loads are small. Wash your hair.
-
Stock up on water, soft drinks, and juices.
-
Locate flashlights, lanterns, and battery candles; check battery strength.
-
Fill your car’s gas tank. (Note: not all stations may have generators for pumps.)
-
Keep cash on hand, since credit cards may not work during power outages.
-
Cook or purchase food that stores well: fried chicken, potato salad, hard-boiled eggs.
-
Park your car in a safe area, away from trees that could fall.
During the Hurricane (Power Outage)
-
Move ice packs into the refrigerator.

-
Store frequently used perishable items in a roasting pan placed inside your (unheated) oven with an ice pack—this reduces how often you need to open the fridge.
After the Hurricane
-
If power is not restored quickly, organize a neighborhood cookout. Grill thawed meats from the freezer and share with neighbors—better than letting food go to waste.
Additional Resources
1. Marine Suppliers
-
Defender: defender.com/en_us
-
Jamestown Distributors: jamestowndistributors.com/home

Tip: Consider sturdy 5-gallon jugs for water (blue) and fuel (red or yellow), as well as safety electronics like distress beacons.
​
2. Dry Bags
-
Sierra Dry Bags: sierra.com – often discounted, useful for keeping essentials dry.
3. The “Ditch Bag” (Grab-and-Go Bag)
-
Recommendations include: Blankets, flares, handheld VHF radio, battery-operated weather radio, etc.

-
Additional helpful items include headlamps, medications, first aid kit, whistles, survival food, and important documents.
-
For more information: https://danboater.org
4. Other Considerations
-
Generators: Honda generators are popular, reliable, and efficient.

-
Cooking Options: An induction burner with a generator can help prepare meals.

-
Watermakers: Portable devices to purify contaminated water—valuable after flooding.
​
5. More Helpful Links