So, there’s a hurricane coming. We just had an earthquake, if there’s a plague of locusts next I am out of here
But apocalypse aside, the Red Cross has a hurricane prep website with lots of things you may need: flashlight, batteries, candles, non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, baby stuff, a charged cell phone and so on. I went to DC.gov and there’s only a crappy press release from the mayor. Not helpful.
Another tip is that you could also put bottled water in the freezer today, then they’ll stay cold in the fridge, even if power is out. And not on the list but important: alcohol.
If you live in a basement, like me, you had better get ready to clear out the drains in front of doors frequently, and/or even get sandbags. The city is giving them out in two locations:
DPW TO PROVIDE SANDBAGS TO DC RESIDENTS IN ANTICIPATION OF
HURRICANE IRENE
(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Public Works announced today that District residents, with DC identification, may pick up sandbags (up to five per household) at its New Jersey Avenue and K Street, SE site (entrance on New Jersey at I Street, SE). Distribution begins Friday, August 26, at noon and runs through midnight. Distribution resumes Saturday, August 27, at 8 am and continues through midnight. The sandbags weigh between 40 lbs. and 50 lbs. and residents will need to load them into their vehicles.
DPW will have employees and signage directing residents to the site entrance.
I was in town when Hurricane Isabel hit in 2003, and it was actually kind of fun. Lots of rain but not much damage in my area, though Metro was closed so many hurricane parties were canceled. Let’s hope there’s no damage this time around.
