Is anybody else obsesively shopping for storm stuff?

[DanKellFla]

I think I may have gone a bit whacko. I keep on thinking of stuff I should get just in case of a storm. Is anybody else doing this? Making lists of stuff they need, then a list of stuff that would be nice to have? I admit that I like tools and just about anything I can get at Home Depot. Since last year was, thankfully, a dud. I am not pretty well stocked. I am now down to two things that I would like. A $20 high powered rechargable spotlight, and a cheap cordless drill that I can keep in my hurricane kit. (I have a bad habit of killing rechargable batteries.) But I keep on planning. Even my wife has told me to shut up about hurricanes.

[MississippiHurricane]

ROFL about the wife. Now is a WONDERFUL time to start. You might even have a severe storm before hurricane season and you can say your prepaired so keep on shopping. I really need to start here soon. Im gonna try to get crank flashlights and a radio/tv (I also kill batteries) and if godforbid, we do get a storm this way I wont run out.

[Finally_in_NM]

we were going to leave our "hurricane kit" at the old house for the new owners, but folks in NM told us to bring it. They said that people often get snowed in around the area where we now live. So, with the except of the storm shutters, our hurricane kit is now a snowstorm kit.

having said that, it's never too soon to have your storm kit ready. best to do it now instead of standing in lengthy lines with grouchy and fearful folks.

[DanKellFla]

I have my kit more than ready. I had the non-perishables ready last year. Just today I bought a 1.5 million candlepower spotlight because it might be useful. Not only do I have just about everything I can think of, I have more stuff as well. Right down to the extra rechargable battery for the portable DVD player. I can keep the kids occupied with that for about 6 hours now.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

It's always prudent to have plenty of storm supplies on hand: water, food, flashlights, Batteries, a generator perhaps.

[azsnowman]

we were going to leave our "hurricane kit" at the old house for the new owners, but folks in NM told us to bring it. They said that people often get snowed in around the area where we now live. So, with the except of the storm shutters, our hurricane kit is now a snowstorm kit.

having said that, it's never too soon to have your storm kit ready. best to do it now instead of standing in lengthy lines with grouchy and fearful folks.

That's exactly right!! We have a snow storm policy in place at my house, as winter approaches we stock up on tons of canned food, candles, WOOD for the woodstove in case power is lost, dog food, BEER, CIGARETTES

A person regardless of where you live should ALWAYS be prepared for the worst case scenario no matter WHAT!! I mean, with the world we live in nowadays, ANYTHING is possible, not a stretch of the imagination like it used to be...it's not science fiction anymore, it's downright SCARY some of the garbage that's going on!

[DanKellFla]

Most people in this country are used to having electricity 99.99999% of the time. That is great, but also very expensive. I don't think that it is too much of a stretch to prepare for a future where power is lost for a few hours every month. Maybe that is why I have this obsession for disaster gear. But, I don't buy camping stuff for some reason. I guess I depend on my generator and a few days supply of gas. If that runs out, I will send my wife and kids away, drink the last of the cold beer and enjoy the working vacation.

[x-y-no]

I don't think I'm obsessive, but some people who know me think I am.

I usually stock up my kit in May, but I'm a little early this year. I'm adding some things to my first aid kit and replacing some stuff that was nearing expiration. I've got about three weeks of non-perishable food, two big coolers for ice and perishable food, two cases of snapple for flavored drink (I'll buy 10 gallons of bottled water later, probably June.) Plenty of propane for my stove and lantern, matches, butane lighter and my old firestarter kit (artificial flint) - radio and plenty of batteries of course ... tools, utility knife, picked up a nice new camping knife the other day, umm ... saw, hatchet ... thinking about getting myself a chainsaw ...

OK, maybe I am obsessive ...

[Rainband]

Just need to get the food and batteries. We have plenty of gadgets, battery powered radio and tv and Flashlights. Also have a first aid kt

[dizzyfish]

We've got about everything covered (I think). We were making a list last night of things we need to pick up. (water, tuna etc.)

I am thinking of getting one of those radio/tv things that you crank to run. (we kill batteries too!) Does anyone have one of those? Do you like it?

[DanKellFla]

I have never seen a crank powered TV. If you look closely at the box, it will say that the crank only powers the light and radio. I do have a crank powered radio, I bought that last year. It is small, but it is all I need. Just enough to get information in case my batteries run out. I bought most of my gadgets last year. I have to start up my generator soon. It has been a couple of months.
I have 3 kids, so I have plenty of food around at all times. It just makes life easier.

[brunota2003]

I have shaker flashlights (a bunch of them) along with battery powered ones. A bunch of food and rations, we've got about everything in the box you could think of.

[flightwxman]

How do those shaker flashlights work out? Are they worth saving the extra few dollars on Batteries?

[brunota2003]

How do those shaker flashlights work out? Are they worth saving the extra few dollars on Batteries?

The ones my parents bought do work. Of course nothing beats one of those really bright flashlights, but they do work. I use them for the little stuff, like taking food out to the bunny. It really depends on the user and what they are being used for. I would say go buy one and try it out, of course they dont last too long before you have to shake them again, but it beats, IMHO, having to look for new batteries (or in my case, not having the right size...)

[DanKellFla]

How do those shaker flashlights work out? Are they worth saving the extra few dollars on Batteries?

From what I understand about those is that they only stay lit for a few minutes after shaking. There are some hand crank flashlights out there. That is one thing that I don't have. I think I will wait until next year to buy them. I have last years batteries too, so I think I am pretty good for batteries.
I did buy a 1.5 million candle power spot light just in case I want to read a book from 1/2 mile away. It was $10 at sears.

[Tropigal]

Does anyone know if they will have a "tax free" period again this year for hurricane supplies?

[Janice]

This is the time we start getting prepared. I have been filling the freezer with ice cubes. We are going to order some hurricane shutters next month for three glass doors. We just put up plywood on the smaller windows. I am waiting for the big breezes to trim our trees good.....

[Opal storm]

I still have several boxes of MREs that I recieved during Hurricane Ivan.lol

[DanKellFla]

Does anyone know if they will have a "tax free" period again this year for hurricane supplies?

I think it is the first 10 days in June.

[alicia-w]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... mailedlink


Floridians will have the chance to buy tax-free hurricane supplies again this year during a 12-day period that begins June 1, the first day of hurricane season.

The Florida Senate approved the tax break in a 40-0 vote Thursday morning and sent the bill, previously approved by the House in a 114-0 vote, to Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist is expected to sign the measure into law.

Portable, self-powered lights valued $20 or less.
Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weatherband radio selling for $75 or less.
Tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less.
Tie-down kid or ground anchor system selling for $50 or less.
Gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less.
AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt batteries selling for $30 or less.
Cell phone battery selling for $60 or less; cell phone charger selling for $40 or less.
Food storage cooler (non-electric) selling for $30 or less.
Portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in event of a power outage selling for $1,000 or less.
Storm shutter device selling for $200 or less.
Carbon monoxide detector selling for $75 or less.
Re-usable ice selling for $10 or less.
The tax break does not apply to any sales within an airport, public lodging establishment, theme park or entertainment complex.

Legislative economists estimate the state will lose $19.8 million and local governments will lose $4.5 million in sales tax collections during the tax-free holiday.