Hurricane Fatigue

Those are the new buzz words around here. I first heard them while we were watching Gustav over the Gulf of Mexico and wondering which way he would go. We have prepared for three hurricanes that never so much as blew a good rain on us. We waited out a couple of others that either fizzled out or turned well out of our path before we were called to preparations. We are now staring down Ike. He is big, he is nasty and he seems to be headed our way...at least close enough that we will feel some of his fury.


When I fell into bed last night, Ike seemed to be heading to South Texas around the Brownsville area...like his sister Dolly earlier this summer. By the time I turned on my computer this morning, his projected path had moved north...somewhere between South Padre Island and Corpus Christi. Yet, we were being warned to be prepared -- just in case. After all, the shelves clear out pretty quickly around here.


Each time we have been warned to prepare, I run to the grocery store on the way home from work for water and food for a couple of days. This morning I decided it was time to research and write out a list of hurricane supplies that were recommended to have on hand. I sent Bri to do some food shopping, mostly non-perishables and water. I took the list of sundry items like flashlights and a cook stove. Jim picked up the extra fuel and a generator.


At lunch time, Ike's path seemed to be heading a little more north...between Corpus Christi and Matagorda Bay. By quitting time, a little farther north between Port Aransas and Freeport. Now we are hearing it could come as far north as Galveston. My friend who loans us her beach house in Brazoria county may receive a direct blow. It is pretty sure that her place will be hit with 10-15 foot surf. They have called for a mandatory evacuation of her area and a voluntary evacuation of the rest of Brazoria county.


It is true that Ike could turn and head right up to Louisiana...missing us completely. He could lose power...but that doesn't look likely right now. We could head 'home' to Arkansas...but Gustav proved that we run just as much risk of flooding and tornadoes there as we do here. We have decided, hurricane fatigue or not, to try and ride it out.


For the first time since moving here (20 years ago!) we are stocked up on hurricane supplies. I have converted the closet in our laundry room to store the items we purchased today. I told Jim this morning, even if we miss Ike...at least I will not have to run back to the store for the next one. If we are lucky enough to miss Ike, and any of his brothers or sisters who may come our way between now and November, then we will move the supplies to the pantry and restock next summer.

Can't overlook the pets!

The cases of water are hiding under all of those Capri Sun boxes.

Soups, chili, canned fruit, granola bars...and plenty of Pop Tarts.


Plenty of paper to get us through 'a day or two'!

Propane, oil lamps (almost never found those), flashlights and a CORDED phone, in case of emergency!

I guess hurricane fatigue can be a good thing. It forced me to say, "Enough" to fighting the crowds in search of water and to be proactive in preparing our family for the possibility of a storm.

We know that there may be lots of surprises for which we are not prepared. We have never experienced a hurricane...and only a few tropical storms. Yet, we are hoping for the best.

How about you? Whether you have to prepare for hurricanes or ice storms...we all experience some sort of natural disaster threats...how do you prepare your family? Any lessons learned over the years?

Ours: Hurricane Rita. Even if you leave two days before mandatory evacuation, your 8 hour trip will most likely turn into a 16 hour trip, the storms may find you all the way in Arkansas...and there may not be many gas stations open for you to make it back home several days later.