Helene - any lessons learned, additional prep to do?

[fwafwow]

We were in the path but it was a non-event for us. Thoughts and prayers to all those who were not as fortunate.

I thought we were relatively prepared - lots of batteries and battery banks, water, food, etc., and we slept in the basement (no worries of water here - at the time - we were concerned about trees coming thru the house). But looking back, and without starting a full-blown prepper thread, I think I can do better.

1. Flooding. We had zero worries about flooding, and we didn't have any. But I think lots of people were not concerned and had a different outcome. I'm looking at flood insurance. If there's no chance in 100 years, or 500 years, then it should be cheap, right?
2. Comms. Maybe my metro area is less likely to completely lose cell tower coverage, but who knows? I'd hate for my kids to wonder for days if we are OK, etc.
   • inReach Mini - I need to become more familiar with the text functions (it's been years since I've texted with it), teach Mrs fwafwow how to use it, and maybe enable my subscription for more than just hunting season. Maybe look at an inReach Messenger to keep at the house or w/ the Mrs.
   • Radio. I got a HAM Technician license during the pandemic, so maybe it's time to invest in some equipment, and more learning (and practice). I don't have any friend or relative with a license, so I need to look into the options for getting messages to family, either via another HAM or a tech solution I've yet to learn.
   • Satellite phone - yeah, probably overkill. But I spend a good bit on some relatively unnecessary stuff. (More scopes than rifles? A RokStok when the OEM stock was probably fine? etc.) I can always use a rabbit hole. And if I have one, I can take it and the Mini in the field. (Even in the short time I'm researching sat phones while posting this, I think another inReach product is probably more realistic.)
   • iPhone 14>/iOS 18. I know there's another thread on this topic. I wonder if there are any anecdotes of the sat messaging capabilities working for those without cell coverage after Helene?
3. Other?

 

[fwafwow]

Looks like iOS did work after Helene

Messages via satellite provides lifeline to iPhone users in Hurricane Helene fallout - 9to5Mac

iOS 18 comes with a potentially life-saving new feature, Messages via satellite. Here’s how it’s been helping Hurricane Helene survivors.

9to5mac.com

 

[Jmort1754]

Having not been in the path of severe storms or disasters in years I look at this and think that I have become too complacent.

My parents house burned last year and they didn't have a SHTF bag with important stuff in it. It has taken them almost a yaear to get things figured out.

I know that I will be putting together a bag for the wife and myself as well as the kids to grab if something does happen.

 

[fwafwow]

Having not been in the path of severe storms or disasters in years I look at this and think that I have become too complacent.

My parents house burned last year and they didn't have a SHTF bag with important stuff in it. It has taken them almost a yaear to get things figured out.

I know that I will be putting together a bag for the wife and myself as well as the kids to grab if something does happen.

Good reminder about important stuff for having to leave. I’ve put that together before, but I need to update it.

 

[TaperPin]

Prayers for those who lost it all.

We had a 1000 year flood a few years ago - luckily we’re just high enough to not be flooded directly, but some places were wet for a month. 1000 year events sure seem to happen a lot more often than they should.

I can’t help thinking more than ever, where a house is located is more important than ever for fire or floods.

As our cars are replaced we’re going up a notch in size so more emergency gear can be stored more or less permanently in every one. The high heat inside a vehicle does weird things to food, so I’m still figuring that out.

An acquaintance had the power go out for a week in the middle of winter - his little Honda generator kept the furnace running, or cooled off the fridge, and allowed charging devices. Money well spent.

 

[fngTony]

Water storage/collection, water purification. Bleach for sanitation. Large trash bags. Flares, glow sticks.

A power inverter with basic wire hookups to the battery and a long extension cord can cheaply an easily turn your car into a generator. Not the most fuel efficient but if you’re stuck at home might as well use the gas in your vehicles.

Talk to your neighbors ahead of time, especially the elderly about what medication and physical limitations they have. It’s just easier to know ahead of time how to help instead of trying to figure it out in a crisis.

 

[fngTony]

We’ve had a couple big snow storms and a wildfire cause challenges for some who got help through our neighborhood facebook group. I know many people stay away from most social media but keeping it around for community interaction/information isn’t a bad idea.

 

[loganwayne]

Something alot of people don't think of I think. If you have a portable generator to have a "kit" for it. Spare spark plug wrench for it. Spare brushes (might be more complicated on the new smaller ones). We had a generator brushes ware out during a snow storm when I was younger we didn't have power for 2 weeks. Generator ran but wouldn't make power.
also making sure to start it and run it every now and then

 

[willtim]

I was very fortunate, we had no damage from Helene. We did go nine days without power. It was very difficult to navigate my neighborhood because of fallen trees and power lines. I was caught completely flat footed. Never again.

 

[doc holiday13]

We were in the path but it was a non-event for us. Thoughts and prayers to all those who were not as fortunate.

I thought we were relatively prepared - lots of batteries and battery banks, water, food, etc., and we slept in the basement (no worries of water here - at the time - we were concerned about trees coming thru the house). But looking back, and without starting a full-blown prepper thread, I think I can do better.

1. Flooding. We had zero worries about flooding, and we didn't have any. But I think lots of people were not concerned and had a different outcome. I'm looking at flood insurance. If there's no chance in 100 years, or 500 years, then it should be cheap, right?
2. Comms. Maybe my metro area is less likely to completely lose cell tower coverage, but who knows? I'd hate for my kids to wonder for days if we are OK, etc.
   • inReach Mini - I need to become more familiar with the text functions (it's been years since I've texted with it), teach Mrs fwafwow how to use it, and maybe enable my subscription for more than just hunting season. Maybe look at an inReach Messenger to keep at the house or w/ the Mrs.
   • Radio. I got a HAM Technician license during the pandemic, so maybe it's time to invest in some equipment, and more learning (and practice). I don't have any friend or relative with a license, so I need to look into the options for getting messages to family, either via another HAM or a tech solution I've yet to learn.
   • Satellite phone - yeah, probably overkill. But I spend a good bit on some relatively unnecessary stuff. (More scopes than rifles? A RokStok when the OEM stock was probably fine? etc.) I can always use a rabbit hole. And if I have one, I can take it and the Mini in the field. (Even in the short time I'm researching sat phones while posting this, I think another inReach product is probably more realistic.)
   • iPhone 14>/iOS 18. I know there's another thread on this topic. I wonder if there are any anecdotes of the sat messaging capabilities working for those without cell coverage after Helene?
3. Other?

I would start with checking your homes relative positioning to the 100 and 250 and 500 year flood lines.

Inreach device is good for comms with friends and family in and outside the afflicted zone

HAM is even better. HAM and GMRS/shortwave operators are actually critical to first response in disaster zone. You can communicate directly with first responders and get vital information out of your disaster area. Radio operators are critical.

Sat phone is overkill if you have the other 2.

 

[mt terry d]

Note which things your government wants to eliminate and the things
they want you to rely on.

 

[*zap*]

Have food, water, shelter, some season appropriate clothing, water filtration (small) two small stoves and some fuel. (The liquid fuel msr stoves that can burn gas, camp fuel, jet fuel, kero and etc are very good for this, don't forget some type of windscreen). All packed up and ready to go near where it can go into a vehicle...one pack of absolute essentials per person and the rest in aviator kit or duffel bags. Small denomination pre 33 gold coins and maybe some silver dollars plus a grand or more in cash....That is where to start.
I keep hundreds of MH and two six gallon jugs of water.....plus filters and some canned food/rice ready..plus 10 gallons of stabilized gas.

Keep my 4x4 250 with topper full of gas (36 gallons) as often as I can since it is the logical choice and I use it the least of my trucks.

As far as stay at home prepping that is a bottomless hole..but plenty of clean stored water is a must...large food drums full of water. Meds are important also and if you need glasses/contacts that should be stored. I prefer the wrap around headband sports glasses...

the federal response to nc was a disgrace...I bet in the end there will be a 4 figure # of the dead but the msm propaganda machine will not report on that...

 

[Nine Banger]

I would not consider flood insurance unless you have to.

It's a racket.

We live and work on barrier islands. My house is 6' above sea level and I cancelled my flood insurance when I paid off my mortgage.

I think the program is meant for folks living in a small house on the side of a river or the ocean. They only pay a max of a low amount but force 1%ers to participate. So your 4 million dollar house gets destroyed and they send you a check for $250,000.00...They use the program to mandate unnecessary improvements too, especially the off chance hydrostatic pressure blows up your foundation. If you get deeper into it, it gets stupider.

Wind and Hail insurance is a racket too. The worst storm of my career is Hurricane Matthew. We replaced 41 roofs in the 30 days after the storm. The deductibles were all within 10-20% of a new roof and removal of one big ass tree on the roof or leaning up against the eaves which is what most of those houses needed.

 

[Nine Banger]

Re: comms...look at Starlink Mini

 

[fwafwow]

I would start with checking your homes relative positioning to the 100 and 250 and 500 year flood lines.

I just confirmed we are outside the 500 year flood line ("unshaded Zone X").

Inreach device is good for comms with friends and family in and outside the afflicted zone

I just updated my plan yesterday and confirmed my inReach Mini was able to do a test. Now I just need to reacquaint myself with the use of the phone to use it, and then teach the Mrs. how to do so.

HAM is even better. HAM and GMRS/shortwave operators are actually critical to first response in disaster zone. You can communicate directly with first responders and get vital information out of your disaster area. Radio operators are critical.

Yep. I will go back to the drawing board and see how to start to use my Technician license, even if just listening to a handheld.

Sat phone is overkill if you have the other 2.

Agreed. But maybe I need to upgrade from my iPhone 13 to a newer model for more options.

I would not consider flood insurance unless you have to.

I don't have to. The quote given to me was under $500 for $250k plus $100k of personal contents. I don't think we have any chance of flooding. But I bet there are folks in NC and TN who had the same thought.

Re: comms...look at Starlink Mini

Thanks. I will check it out. My quick read is that it's more expensive than I "need". But hell, I raised the idea of a sat phone, so....

 

[bozeman]

Have food, water, shelter, some season appropriate clothing, water filtration (small) two small stoves and some fuel. (The liquid fuel msr stoves that can burn gas, camp fuel, jet fuel, kero and etc are very good for this, don't forget some type of windscreen). All packed up and ready to go near where it can go into a vehicle...one pack of absolute essentials per person and the rest in aviator kit or duffel bags. Small denomination pre 33 gold coins and maybe some silver dollars plus a grand or more in cash....That is where to start.
I keep hundreds of MH and two six gallon jugs of water.....plus filters and some canned food/rice ready..plus 10 gallons of stabilized gas.

Keep my 4x4 250 with topper full of gas (36 gallons) as often as I can since it is the logical choice and I use it the least of my trucks.

As far as stay at home prepping that is a bottomless hole..but plenty of clean stored water is a must...large food drums full of water. Meds are important also and if you need glasses/contacts that should be stored. I prefer the wrap around headband sports glasses...

the federal response to nc was a disgrace...I bet in the end there will be a 4 figure # of the dead but the msm propaganda machine will not report on that...

I have Zap's address. Honestly, good on you. I have some, but need to be more diligent for sure.

 

[wesfromky]

Re: comms...look at Starlink Mini

Mine should be here today or tomorrow. Looking forward to making work from home truly remote where ever my truck is parked.

 

[wesfromky]

HAM is even better. HAM and GMRS/shortwave operators are actually critical to first response in disaster zone. You can communicate directly with first responders and get vital information out of your disaster area. Radio operators are critical.

So, I have the book for technicians, but haven't gone down that path yet. To me, HAM is a bit legacy in the era of Sat comms. Though I can see a use case for small groups to use it when reasonable close geographically and as you pointed out, communicating with nearby SAR groups. A starlink mini with a bit of battery/solar setup would seem to give a lot more functionality for an individual.

 

[fwafwow]

So, I have the book for technicians, but haven't gone down that path yet. To me, HAM is a bit legacy in the era of Sat comms. Though I can see a use case for small groups to use it when reasonable close geographically and as you pointed out, communicating with nearby SAR groups. A starlink mini with a bit of battery/solar setup would seem to give a lot more functionality for an individual.

I just spent an hour or so reviewing YT videos and remembering how limited HAM is - at least when no one else I care about is licensed. Sure, I could create an emergency kit with an inexpensive radio (and may still do so) for someone to use in a real emergency, but it still has limitations.

How much did you pay for your Starlink mini. I saw something like $500 plus a monthly subscription (for residential), with download speeds of slower than my cable (so I would not likely use it to replace cable, or fiber). And I think Roam was about the same up front cost, plus $150 per month. At that pricing a sat phone might be a better fallback.

As @doc holiday13 said, HAM seems like an inexpensive option to hear and communicate with first responders, especially since I spent the time to get my Tech license.

 

[*zap*]

One of the worst things that can happen is to become a unsupplied refugee.