As some of you may know I live in the Greater Grand Strand Area (Myrtle Beach SC). I don't have this on my profile because the thought of searching people out by zip code kind of freaks me out. You may also know we are expecting tropical storm Hanna to make landfall close by late tomorrow. I am not particularly worried, but I want to get some thoughts out of my head.
Home
Our home is a few miles away from the beach, and not very vunerable to high winds, but we woln't take foolish chances. So today after work I went about preparing the ouside. I tied off the swing set, put the kids yard toys in the shed and brought lawn furniture inside (if the winds get high enough, that stuff goes flying). I have plenty of drinking water, batteries and food. I will pick up ice (to pack in my freezer) and fill both bathtubs with water (for flushing toilets and cleaning while the water is turned off) tomorrow after work.
Evacuation
Our governor has called a voluntery evacuation for the strand. I am not in an evacuation area. All schools are closed. However, my workplace is still open and so is my children's daycare (both in the evac area). Daycare is closeing at 3pm, so I called work to let them know I would have to leave at 2pm and to ask if I could come in earlier than the 10am I am scheduled for (they are glad to have the help, all of the other daycares are closed so many people have had to call off entirely).I will be long gone before the chit hits da fan, safe at home.
Like I said I am not expecting Hanna to be a real big deal (I am much more concerned about Ike) but I know how it will go down. I have lived here a long time, and this ain't my first rodeo. The power will be shut off sometime (chosen by the power company) Friday evening. They shut it off before it goes out as a "safety measure" it doesn't come back on until the storm is over and lines are inspected. Slowly, area by area they turn it back on. The city water will be shut off just after the storm (until it can be tested and deamed safe to drink). The phone lines will still work (if you have an old phone - not cordless - I don't). Cell phones should work, but it will be hard to get a call through when everyone and thier brother is useing a cell phone at the same time.
Storms are such an awful preoccupation. No matter what, you can think of little else until life goes back to normal. So If abruptly dissappear tomorrow night .... don't worry, if I ain't back online by Monday, send a search party :P
