Florida-resident (and veteran Gizmodo tipster) Aaron Feibus sent us this great list of things to do in preparation of waiting out a hurricane with all your gadgets intact. My pop got away from Charley pretty much intact, but talking to him on the phone a few hours before the storm hit really made the severity of these things sink in. With Hurricane Frances making its way across the Caribbean now, and damage estimates already going way up for eastern and south-eastern Florida, take these last few hours to prepare for the inevitable power losses and breaks in communication that will occur.
Good luck, Florida. If you buy it, our grandparents will have to stay with us this winter, and nobody wants that.
Since I live in Orlando it’s quite possible this could be my last ever contribution to Gizmodo. We’ll see in about 36 hours.
Many people who have never experienced a hurricane don’t understand how serious they are. A wind speed of 115 mph can life a person or small auto off the ground into the air. Hurricanes usually have tornadoes that go along with them.
Hurricane Frances is category 4 storm (it’s since been downgraded to a Cat 3, but still. -ed) with winds of up to 140mph so I thought I’d put together this list of how to prepare for and make it through a Hurricane with your gadgets:
0. Yeah this list starts with a zero.
If you have a generator, you better invite me over. You can stop reading here.
1. Charge everything… EVERYTHING!
For me this means DV camera, digital camera, GBA SP, iBook, iPod, T637 and any rechargeable batteries. For you it means, if you have anything you want to use in the dark, think of it now. Take pictures of all your tech in case of insurance claims. Back up your computer’s files in case your computer is destroyed.
2. Get batteries and a lighter
You’ll need some flashlights of course and don’t forget a portable radio or television that takes batteries. One of the handiest gadgets you will use during a storm like this is a run-of-the-mill cigarette lighter. Place candles carefully and keep an eye on them, as nobody wants to see Freddy Kreuger walking around in a hurricane.
3. Fill up your car
This wont be simply for transportation. Expect the power to be out for a good week or two. You will be relying on your cigarette lighter to re-charge your gadgets. If you have gas cans, fill those up too. If you dont, now may be the time to get some.
4. Get an inverter
These are easy to find at wal-marts and truck stops. They range from $30-$120 depending on amount of outlets, power, or safety features. Plug it in your car cigarette lighter and now you have a grounded electrical outlet. Don’t forget to run the car or your car battery will die. Don’t forget to open the garage door or you will die.
5. Unplug everything from the walls
The power can spike and/or surge during or after the storm. Wait until the power company actually turns your power back on before trying to catch up on Everybody Loves Raymond on your giant plasma. Turn your fridge/freezer to the highest setting too before power goes out. This will keep your food fresher longer.
6. Go online for news and updates or to chat with your friends about your impending death
Use this sparingly because it will drain your notebook and your phone at the same time. It may be necessary to find out what’s going on, however. Depending on your carrier, it may also chew up your minutes. Most mobile providers have assistance on their website for using your phone as a modem. This can be done over bluetooth or usb cable. USB cable is recommended during a storm, as using bluetooth will eat your batteries faster.
7. If you hear a sound like a train…
Before the storm hits figure out the safest place in your residence. This will be the area built of the most solid materials and away from any trees. If you hear a sound that resembles a freight train, run for that room and hide under whatever you can, preferably a mattress. The sound is a tornado. If you live by train tracks, still run for that room. No trains are going to be traveling through a hurricane, and if they are, they’re not on tracks.
If I missed anything I’m terribly sorry but I’m hurrying to prepare the house so that I don’t die. The pre-storm estimates are $35 Billion in damages, most of any storm in history. That’s a few Virginia Tech G5 supercomputers and then some. Be safe everyone!
