Current weather forecast reminds me of several weather events when we lived all alone, out in the forests of the western North Carolina Smoky Mountains. Twice we lost power for six days, once for seven. Trees that fall over roads not only take down your power lines, but they also block your access to and from your property. Even worse, all our water came from a well 216 feet down – so – no electricity; no water!
Also, being a veteran of the Air Force as a member of flight crews and commander of a missile crew, I am VERY familiar with checklists. We were required to use them every time we operated a piece of equipment, even if it was the thousandth time we had fired it up. The main purpose is to remind you of some simple thing that NEEDS to be done at a certain time - it's a lot like following a recipe. These checklists also permitted us to perform a lot of pretty tricky and potentially dangerous procedures safely.
So, putting together the recurrent problems with power outages, and the longing for a non-existent checklist, I built my own. Here it is for anyone who might be interested:
Severe Weather Checklist Master
Preparation Phase:
kerosene acquire
kerosene lanterns
kerosene heater
Oil lamps
Oil - verify amount
dog food
wash clothes & dishes
batteries (D and 6v dc)
verify lighters available
check camera and video tape status (for insurance claims)
Corded telephone prepare
Warning Phase: OR NIGHTFALL
Plug-suckers charge
kerosene lanterns prepare
lawn furniture in
garbage and compost out
deck & yard secure
verify 7 bags of ice in freezer
(3 stay in freezer, 2 for ice chests on Day 2; 2 more on Day 3)
cars fill with gasoline
back cars in garage/car port
recharge battery in camcorder, cell phones, iTouch,
Siege Phase:
animals in
monitor radios and tv
items from refrigerator-freezer to big freezer
distribute kerosene lanterns and oil lamps
I'm sure that anyone who tries this will come up with necessary and important additions. Please let me know if you do. I can add them to my own!
