zxcvbob wrote:
> George Shirley wrote:
>> Terry Pulliam Burd wrote:
>>> On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:57:04 -0400, "cshenk" > fired
>>> up random neurons and synapses to opine:
>>>
>>>> I just made the quarterly 'big trip' yesterday. I won't bore you
>>>> with the details of every item, but most of what I do on those big
>>>> trips is meats. I have a chest freezer to augment the fridge one,
>>>> partly due to space needs but partly for same reason as above. The
>>>> one over (or under) the fridge doesnt keep as cool.
>>>
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>> This thread reminded me of something said to me by one of my high
>>> school classmates who lives in Melbourne Beach FL. He says he starts
>>> emptying out his freezer in late spring every year - ahead of
>>> hurricane season. As a Californiac, it never occurred to me what
>>> proactive measures those in hurricane-land might have to take.
>>> Other than that, what sort of preparation could one make ahead of a
>>> hurricane? And what other natural disaster could one *prepare* for? I
>>> mean, you can't reasonably "prepare" for a forest fire, even if you
>>> live in the forest, other than to cut back your tree line, etc., but
>>> you only need to do that once, not annually, and forest fires are only
>>> marginally "seasonal." And here in SoCal, we can't really *prepare*
>>> for an earthquake. Hurricane season is, uh, seasonal and I can't
>>> think of another natural disaster threat that is. Just askin'
>>>
>>> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
>> Severe snowstorms, floods, heavy rains, ice storms. Any number of
>> natural disasters can be planned for.
>>
>> Actually those of us who live in hurricane areas are a bit more
>> blessed than anyone else. The preparations for hurricane season,
>> stocking up canned good, flashlight batteries, propane for grills or
>> charcoal for other grills, make sure the vehicle gas tanks are full,
>> etc., are about the same as for other disasters. Most of our friends
>> and neighbors keep their stock rotated in the pantry and use
>> batteries, etc. in rotation also.
>>
>> Our big freezer stays full because it is more economical that way plus
>> we can eat out of it without going to a market. Many homes around here
>> have their own whole house generator. We're seriously thinking of
>> getting one that is run on natural gas. They're only about $4K
>> installed but would be worth the money in the long run and would run
>> cheaper than a gasoline one would.
>>
>> I've ridden out numerous hurricanes, tornadoes, and at least two ice
>> storms in my lifetime and we were always prepared and did well.
>> Meanwhile, I am totally frightened about earthquakes.
>
>
> I've been tempted to get one of those little Honda 2000
> generator/inverters. I think we could get along OK for a long while
> with just 2000W of 110V power. But our city has its own power plants
> and the electricity is just so darn reliable here it's not easy to
> justify spending $1000 for it (and finding a place for it...)
>
> I wish somebody made a small portable generator with a 1800 RPM diesel
> engine. Diesel stores a lot better than gasoline.
>
> Bob
I keep at least five gallons of gasoline on hand at all times Bob. Each
can gets Stabile and Seafoam added to it. Both are good for stabilizing
gasoline and ensuring a quick start. Since I started using Stabile
several years ago I no longer have to worry about gummed up carburetors
on tillers, mowers, generators, etc.

We're dependent upon a so-called public utility for our electrical
power. It isn't that reliable at times. Had a small thunderstorm day
before yesterday, power blipped twice. Last week we lost power for two
hours. I'm seriously considering the natural gas generator with an auto
start feature.