A Gulf Coastal Guide to Hurricane Life

Healthy Trees Weather a Storm Better

2009-03-12T22:52:00.001-05:00

Most people already know that food preserves and flashlights are a must and a generator is certainly nice to have. However, when preparing family and home, most people forget to take care of their trees until it is too late. Conservatively 80% of the damage to our neighborhood during IKE was from trees colliding with houses.

What do trees have to do with hurricane preparedness? A LOT!

Shape – Size – Support - Saturation

Shape: When trees grow in nature, in a forest, they are surrounded by other trees. Because the only light that hits the tree is on the top of its structure, the tree develops a canopy shape. This shape minimizes the amount of weight that the tree has to support because the growth pattern is pushing limbs and leaves up not out.

Trees that grow in our yards are referred to as “specimen trees” because there is usually only one or two of them together. Since the trees in our yards are not surrounded by other trees, sunlight hits them from many directions and sides. This encourages broad spreading limbs and makes for a very pretty rounded tree shape. It also encourages more weight to grow away from the trunk and central support system.

Size: We like to fertilize and encourage our trees to grow. Big healthy trees look nice! But they also grab more wind. In nature, in the forest, the competition for sunlight causes trees to develop a more wind resistant profile. They cram all of their leaves into the areas where sunlight falls, mainly along their roof or canopy. In our yards, trees leaf out all over and since the light filters all the way through the tree it becomes a large sail in the wind with leaves through out its structure.

Support: The intertwining of roots in the ground and upper limbs of the canopy give even the largest trees a support structure anchoring the top and bottom of the tree for support. This allows a tree in the forest to take advantage of its neighbor and lean on them for support. Pine trees are especially noted for this characteristic. In our yard though, most of our trees stand alone with no neighbor to lean on.

Saturation: We all water our grass, but do we water our trees? You might think you do, but I’ll bet the answer is “no.” The deepest grass roots are less than six inches below the surface of the soil. This is the area of the soil that is loose and easily broken. Trees need roots that go deeper into the more compact layers of soil. Our yard trees that have been watered when we watered the grass will grow shallow roots in the weak layer of soil.

What to do? How do you keep your trees safe in a Hurricane?

The best care we can give our trees to prepare them for a hurricane is easy. All it takes is some routine maintenance once a month or so.

Regularly (once to twice a year depending on the tree) prune the tree to reduce the weight and keep it from growing a top heavy structure. This will help with both Shape and Size!
Plant them in clumps of three or more when possible. This will allow the trees to structurally lock together and improve Support.
And encourage deep root growth by watering slowly for a long time. The best way is through a drip watering system or through a soaker hose that runs for long periods of time. Soil Saturation develops deep roots that hold your trees in place.

We can’t prevent another storm from blowing over our favorite tree, or landing a pine tree in our front dining room, but we can make our trees stronger and less likely to topple in a strong wind.

Insect Repellent Idea

2009-02-23T10:19:00.003-06:00

I've been corresponding with the people at SC Johnson Wax regarding a product I'd like to see them bring to market.

SC Johnson Makes Glade, Plug-Ins, Scented Candles, Citronella and our favorite bug repellent - OFF (DEET).

My idea was to make a Glade Plug-In with a citronella scent and some Off or DEET in the oil. I think this would make a GERAT bug repellent for use near doors and in garages or in covered patios (non-wet areas). Even if you have to use it on a generator, these little air fresheners are much safer than a candle and only use a tiny bit of current. This would take a fragrance luxury and move it into a new product category - health improvement.

Imagine how useful this idea/product could be!

We have reached the point in negotiations where SC Johnson wants me to pursue the patent agreement. Once I secure the agreement they will continue considering the idea. I'm not sure if I want to go that far. Patents and licensing for this product could cost around $1,000 just for the initial rounds of applications. If someone already beat me to the punch and patented it then that would be $1,000 down the drain.

Fame and fortune would be nice, but at this point I'm relinquishing this idea to the public domain. If you like the idea and want to take it to the next level, I openly encourage you to do so. I wish you the best success! All I want is a citronella scented Plug-In with some DEET added.

Until SC Johnson makes it and WalMart carries it, I'll keep making my own. If you are doing the same I'd recommend the Wizard Air Wick platform. Much easier to alter and more durable.

Tools and Products that Excelled in a Pinch!

2008-11-02T18:42:00.002-06:00

I am receiving NO COMPENSATION or reward (monetary or otherwise) for highlighting these products.

These are tools and necessities that performed above and beyond expectations during the hurricane. This isn't an all inclusive list of storm goods. Think of it as a BEST of the BEST highlight list. You may want to purchase these items too or you may have a better option.

MAGLITE
Two D-Cell LED Flashlight

My original Maglite (Two D-Cell Krypton Bulb) had lasted me for 15 years. Around April 2008 the batteries inside burst and corroded the light beyond repair. I bought the LED version and have been ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY by its performance. I can light up people / vehicles / animals / and objects that are three or four houses away (abt 100 yards). The batteries (Energizer Lithium) I put in this light lasted me from the day I got them out of the package, through the hurricane (8 days w/o power) and are still going strong.

I think the Two D-Cell has a nice weight and size to it with out being so huge that it can't be packed away when necessary.

I paid about $35.00 for the light and batteries at WalMart. By far this was a wise investment. This light was far better than any other flashlight or lantern that we had - especially for a focused directional beam. The clear white light made it easy to read and to find things like reading glasses and small screws when we needed to make repairs.

COLEMAN
Coleman Propane Lantern
AHHH YES! The iconic "Coleman Lantern!" This isn't a picture of our lantern. We bought ours almost 10 years ago in anticipation of Y2K. Ours has only 1 mantle and it absolutely ROCKS!

This was the perfect light for large group gatherings and Hurricane Parties at the house. Hung from a hook under the eve of the house or from the covered patio, this light threw out a broad reaching flood of light.

I would never recommend nor condone using this indoors, but we did. I wasn't that worried about fumes since the windows were open, but I was concerned about the heat and potential fire. I kept the lantern up on top of the entertainment center where it could really fill the den/living room with light. the only time it went into a smaller space was the bathroom and we kept it AWAY from any flammables like hair-gel and mouthwash.

I understand the newer models are much better than the one we have and I'll definitely pick up a second one. My advice is to opt for the one with the carrying case. These are somewhat delicate and storing them all year could be more damaging than actually using it. New ones run $30 to $60. Well worth it!

MODERN HOME PRODUCTS

Outdoor Natural Gas Grill
Having this installed last year was sheer brilliance. It has a lifetime warranty (all stainless and CAST aluminum), and since it is permanently installed I never run out of gas. Thankfully we had gas still working after the hurricane. If not it can quickly and easily be converted to LP Propane gas.

We cooked three square a day for 8 days on this grill and we fed the neighborhood. Every one would bring what ever they could scrounge up and we would provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for about 10 to 20 people depending on the day. We even baked chocolate brownies on this thing!

Using the grill kept the heat out of the house and kept the mess of cooking large meals outside where it was easier to contain and clean up with a water hose. I got my grill through Cunningham Gas, and I'll be the first to admit it was an expensive grill. However, it did not leave me high and dry with a broken or missing part. That type of reliability is a commodity not lost on this storm survivor.

BUCK KNIVES
Folding Hunter w/ Finger Grooves
This is a knife (110BRSFG) in the plain tradition of knives. I've had Swiss Army Knives and Multi Tools (other than Leatherman) and this is far better. Simplicity and strength of components are critical in a time of need. This is no small gentleman's knife and not a Sunday "go to meeting" knife. It is a working mans knife. It has a good weight and heft. The mechanisms are strong enough to with stand heavy duty work and it holds an edge. You definitely want to wear this in the leather holster that comes with it.

I know and understand the temptation to buy a multi tool, but having had those thoughts too, I keep coming back to one universal truth. If you buy one really good simple knife and keep it sharp, it will do 90% of what you need.

RADIO SHACK
Dynamo Emergency Crank Radio with AM/FM/NOAA Bands

I remember my grandmother telling tales of everyone coming over and crowding around the Victrola at night. Until IKE I couldn't imagine life like that. Now I firmly understand what things were like back then.

This little radio was a worry free form of entertainment. It consumed no batteries (takes 3 AA) the whole time and was mostly powered by the hand crank, leaving the actual batteries for reserve.

The LED light is useless, but then I didn't buy it for the light. At $35.00 this radio was our main and constand form of communication with the outside world. We were able to listen to the news, to the radio stations, to NOAA Weather Radio (very important when you are living with OPEN windows) and we could recieve the audio portion of TV broadcasts (this may change in February 2009). Aside from the Maglite and Buck Knife, this was probably the 3rd most used and useful item we had.

A side benefit from this device is that the hand crank is useful entertainment for bored kids. "Here, crank this 100 times" was always good to occupy our daughter and help her participate in the effort.

ENERGIZER

Lithium Batteries - Various Sizes

I have found that in electronic devices (cameras, radios, FRS/GMRS, LED flashlights), The Energizer Lithium series does an excellent job of holding a charge and providing power. It maintains a charge in storage, and had a constant out put over its operational life span. Some batteries begin to fade out or dim out as they are used. The Lithiums seem to hang on a lot longer. If you are nerdy enough you can check this link out.

In the middle of an emergency I don't want to have to fumble for batteries and go looking for a flashlight that works.

MORE TO COME!!!

My own IKE Story:

2008-11-02T17:30:00.001-06:00

Unlike thousands of residents across South East Texas in September, we escaped IKE relatively unscathed. As the Hurricane approached we watched and waited with anxious nerves. The “cone of uncertainty” swung back and forth, sometimes off to our east other times to our west. So preoccupied was I, that on September 12th I realized that 9-11 had passed entirely with out any thought or so much as a moment of silence.

Beginning on September 8th, (LF-5 days) we were gathering water and batteries much like a squirrel gathers nuts and berries for the winter. On the 9th, we boarded up the house and prepared for the evacuation to my parents house in North East Texas just outside of Dallas. We made the trip on September 10th (LF-3 days) after my employer released us. Work would be voluntarily closed for Thursday and Friday during one of our busiest months all year.

The evacuation to Dallas was largely uneventful. Not because the interstate was flowing with out incident, but because we took what I lovingly refer to as “The Ho-Chi-Minh Trail.” The HCM-Trail is a network of Farm to Market (extremely rural) roads that I know and can follow from Houston to Dallas. After Conroe, it is possible to waive good bye to the interstate system and make it to your destination purely on small backloads. Even though our average speed was between 45 and 55 miles per hour, we were making steady progress. At times we would have visibility of the interstate when one of our roads ran close to it. Interstate 45 was light up like a ribbon in the night and the cars were moving as slow as pond water. People on the main roads were running out of gas, swapping paint, breaking down and having to merge single file through road construction. Not us! Now, I’m not trying to come off as better than the rest or even slightly smarter than the average bear, but regardless of the circumstance I never subscribe to the “sheeple” mentality (sheeple = sheep + people). There is certainly strength in numbers but only if the numbers have a leader. With out a leader, the “sheeple” were filing right up the only road they knew.

Weary from all of the news footage that had preceded our trip and from the over exposure in Dallas, we weathered out the storm at my parents house. Saturday morning came on the 13th and brought the devastation that has become IKE’s legacy. On the map we could see the eye of the storm was tracking right across our neighborhood in South Montgomery County just east of Interstate 45. Part of me was very much glad to be safe and secure 225 miles away, and yet another part of me yearned to be at my own house to see that glorious hole open up in the sky as if God himself was peeking through to see if his flock was weathering the storm ok and to answer miracles in need.

Soon the skies in Dallas darkened and the sun was put asunder. The winds increased and the rain began to fall. As IKE glanced off toward the east heading for Arkansas, Dallas was enveloped in Category 1 Hurricane winds. One would think that as inland as Dallas is that it would be safe from such a storm. We were eager to be home, but we also didn’t want to be on the road in a high profile SUV during a weather phenomenon like IKE.

Once the skies began to clear we reversed the process that got us to Dallas just 4 days earlier. Even with some rain and lightning still dancing about, we packed up the truck on the afternoon of the 13th. We ate one last hearty meal, said our prayers, and headed off for a good night sleep. The next morning on the 14th, we let out of Dallas before the sun had considered rising. Since we were taking the ill fated interstate home, we wanted to get on the road to avoid the “sheeple” that mindlessly drive with out thought to their vehicle, the environment, or the safety of others.

Knowing that the masses had not yet had breakfast, we headed out. The truck was full of gas and supplies and I was carrying a reserve of 32 gallons in an assortment of red gas cans. The truck looked like a scalded baboon hurtling towards Houston with its red ass exposed.

We stopped in Corsicana, just south of Dallas, to pick up a chain saw for my neighbor. That and a little grub and we were back on the road. I’m not sure what time we made it to Houston, time stopped after Madisonville. The world was dark. Not just dark with out power, but dark with residual thunderstorms from all of the left over heat and humidity. Damage was apparent at an increasing rate and we were 120 miles inland from where IKE made landfall.

As we got closer and closer to our neighborhood (60 miles from the coast) it became apparent that things had not gone well for our end of South Montgomery County. IKE had been here and had left his calling card of destruction. Trees down, signs down, roofs missing, debris everywhere, it was a heavy feeling.

Amidst all of this destruction and devastation we found our house, safe and secure. None of the trees fell on it and the windows and roof were in perfect shape. We did lose some gutters, but that too was a blessing in disguise. With the absence of guttering on the house, we were able to tell where time and water had slowly been eating away at some non-structural areas. This allowed us to address these repairs before the larger more expensive parts of the house were damaged.

For the next 7 to 8 days we lived with out power. “Like Robinson-Crusoe, as primitive as can be…” ~ from the theme song of Gilligan’s Island.

Over the course of the next week I had time to think, observe, and discuss the hurricane – all in real time with my neighbors as we lived through the aftermath. That is largely the inspiration for this site and what ever may come of it.

Welcome!!!

2008-09-23T20:47:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my Hurricane Life Blog. After weathering several tropical storms, Hurricanes Rita and Ike and having watched Louisiana and Mississippi weather Katrina, I have found a real need to help the people of the Gulf Coast begin thinking about Hurricane Life and the Hurricane Lifestyle. There exists a real need to seperate good, thoughtful, practical information grom the glitz, glamour and hype doled out by sensationalist news agencies.

This is not intended to be a "HOW TO SURVIVE GUIDE!!!"

This is my white board, a place to hash out thoughts and ideas and pose solutions that worked for me and that I saw in practice else where that worked for other people as well.

What I know about storm planning and disaster recovery could fill a book. What I don't know could fill the Library of Congress - twice.

Please feel free to leave your comments, thoughts, feelings and ideas as comments on my posts. Please note, any comments left become the sole property of the owner (I have to say that for legal purposes). I'd like to be published eventually, but the goal is not to retire. I'd like to publish near cost with only minimal compensation for my time and efforts. The real reward will be if we can make Hurricane Life easier for other people.

Welcome and Thank You!