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Is this your first experience with mother nature's wrath as Hurricane Florence prepares to bear down on the Carolinas and Virginia? I'm a Midwest girl myself and in 2009, we moved to Portsmouth, VA. Disaster's no longer came from Tornadoes, but Hurricanes. In 2011, my family and I decided to take on Hurricane Irene. I mean, it’s not like a tornado that just picks everything up and relocates it. It's just rain, right?
My mother came to visit me as I was preparing to graduate from Massage School. Irene had moved in and cancelled everyone's plans. I was all prepared to stay, but my mom was not! So at the very last minute we packed up and headed toward Richmond, VA. Power lines were down all over the roads, we made it to a hotel near Richmond and had to shelter there as driving was no longer safe. The hotel had a restaurant that was not prepared for so many people. No one could leave to get food due to the weather so we waited like everyone else for hours to get a hot meal. Thankfully, they never lost power and we were all safe (dog in tow).
Please don't think that Hurricane Florence is just a little rain like this Midwest girl! Hurricane Irene in 2011 was just a CAT 1, Florence is expected to be a CAT 4! Please move your family to safety before it hits landfall. Most people feel like they can't leave because of their animals. There are many hotels that will accept animals.
Hotels that accept animals: each location may be different, If you need help finding a hotel or a pet friendly hotel, please contact me or any of my travel agent team so we can make sure all of your family is safe!
Hilton
La Quinta Inn and Suites
Double Tree Resort
Disney World Resorts (select)
Best Western
Sheraton
Comfort Inn and Suites
Holiday Inn
If you do plan to shelter in place and ride it out, here are a few suggestions to help you prepare:
Prepare a Hurricane Kit:
This should have enough to hold your family over for 1-2 weeks
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day (don't forget your pets!)
- Food: enough to last 3-7 days. Non-perishable, packaged or canned foods / juices. Food for infants, the elderly and pets.
- Cooking tools/fuel, paper plates, utensils and cups.
- First Aid Kit/Medications
- Toiletries (preparations in case you cannot flush)
- Hand sanitizer - saving water for drinking.
- Batteries / Flashlights
- Any other items you may not regularly keep on hand, the kit can be set up to your family’s needs.
Prepare your home:
- Call your insurance company and make sure your covered for flooding and damages that may occur.
- Take pictures of your home for documentation before the storm.
- Stay informed of the weather conditions as they change over the next few days.
- Make sure all your outside decor and light weight items are secure or put away before the storm hits.
- If you have a generator make sure it is in good working order as you may be several days without power.
- Do you have extra gas on hand in case you need to use the generator for several days.
- Remove any damaged or loose tree limbs and debris.
- Have alternative sources if you don't have a generator like, candles, flashlights and propane.
Be prepared, know your emergency escape plan and stay safe.
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Email: Mandi@myenchantedadventures.com
