#whoever put it there risked down powerlines so that we could get out of the neighborhood

[zenathezee]

If you're curious what else was going on in Asheville when we all lost access to the outside world, please see this stick holding up a powerline at the entrance of a neighborhood. You must drive under the Death Prevention Stick to escape your home

[ivythewitch]

Hurricane preparedness, survival, and cleanup tips from a Florida Witch

Hurricanes are really scary. Especially if you aren't used to going through them year after year. Here are some tips to help you before, during, and after the storm.

I've lived in Florida for about 12 collective years. I lived here in 2005 when the big nasty Wilma completely wrecked my island. I've got knowledge, please use it!

Prep for staying put

When they state that your area is going to be impacted, OR its more than a 50% chance of impact, start your prepping. Don't wait. Not only will people be in Panic mode if you wait, the stores will run out of the things you need most. Bread, water and soups are the first things to flyoff the shelves. Not to mention batteries and candles and such.

Make sure you have everything you NEED packed up first. Things you need includes your passports or driver's license birth certificate anything important for your house such as a copy of your lease or utility bills or deeds Etc prescription copies and things like that. This does not include the $200 painting hanging on your wall that's what insurance is for.

Put all of those items double bagged in gallon-sized zip-top plastic bags and put them with your suitcase and the stuff you can grab at a moment's notice if needed.

Next thing to have is enough water for 3-5 days PER PERSON. Let's be real, none of us drinks the recommended amount of water, but we should still have it on hand. You're gonna be hot when the power is out, so you'll drink more. Gallon jugs, small water bottles are great. You can also fill up pots and pans from the tap if your water is relatively drinkable (most places should have decent filtration) and have those ready to go for pets or for emergencies.

Also, fill your tub or tubs with water. Use this for bathing, washing dishes or cleaning up spills that occur while you're waiting out the storm.

Food: most fresh fruit and vegetables can handle a couple days without refrigeration, have those on hand in moderation. Leafy greens and broccoli need to stay chilled so avoid buying these if you can. Cucumbers, carrots, bananas, Apples, oranges, tomato and avocado are really good for you, relatively affordable for most budgets and can survive without being cold.

Canned goods. Avoid Campbell's concentrated soup unless you plan on having extra water needed to make them not taste like pure salt. Have a can opener that works by hand. If you wouldn't eat it normally when times are fine, don't force yourself to buy it because a checklist says so. Buy what you like and you'll be fine. Keep in mind that whatever you eat will most likely be cold, so avoid cream based soups and chowder. Those just sound gross cold.

Nuts, dried fruit, applesauce, and chips are good snack food that don't need special storage.

Don't forget to grab extra stuff for your kids and pets too.

Weather proof your house. Plywood or shutters on the exterior, towels and plastic on the interior with the blinds shut tight. your windows become dangerous glass bombs during a storm. Don't take any risks.

Sandbag for your doors. You can make these yourself with cat litter, flour, salt, etc. Youtube has tutorials.

Prepping to evac

Just because you're leaving your home, doesn't mean you don't need the above. You do, but it needs to go in the car with you. Prioritizing what's actually important is key here.

Your important documents need to be loaded in the car first. Put them in the glove box now.

All the food and water you've got from the above, load it in the car next. If you have pets, load their crates if and only if you can still get yourself, your kids, and whoever else in plus their suitcase of necessities. If you know you have a massive pooch and he can't fit his crate and your stuff in, leave the crate behind. Put his tags on his collar and when it's time to go, load him in with the family and have someone who is capable, have a massive lap friend.

Here's what to pack in your bags to take with you: clothes for a week, socks and Undergarments for 2 weeks, tennis shoes, workboots if you have them, any flat, comfortable closed toe shoe is key.

Personal hygiene.this doesn't mean your makeup and your blow dryer and your vanity mirror. This means toothbrush, toothpaste, razor and shave cream, hair brush, hair ties, eye glasses, etc. If you have room after you pack all that. Great, bring what fits. But pack for SURVIVAL before anything. "But I can't live without my urban decay lipstick collection!" Yes, YOU FUCKING CAN.

Now that your getaway car is loaded up, protect the house. Do the plywood and stuff listed above.

People tend you your dishwasher is water tight. They lied. HOW EVER dishwashers are still great to keep valuables that don't come with you in one place. They're reinforced with surrounding cabinetry and their doors often lock shut, making it hard to open without unlocking. Waterproof your valuables, place them inside and if you do happen to get flooded, you'll know you can locate all your items together in one place and hope for the best.

Keep in mind, items are replaceable, your memories and lives are not.

Tell family you can trust your evac plan. And tell a neighbor too. Cell phones may go out and it's good to know someone knows where you're at.

When your home is secured and your car is prepped, IF THERE IS TIME, check on any disabled or elderly people in your neighborhood. Make sure they're evacuating or have a plan.

Put all valuable paintings, furniture, electronics etc on top of counters, in plastic bins, in the tub, make it hard for water to get to them.

Before you leave, manually turn off your power. Do it. Your house could be full of water when the power comes on, and that means water in your outlets which means fire. I speak from experience here folks. Turn off your power yourself. Throw out or take the food in your fridge and freezer. Turn off your power.

Lock your doors. Sand bag your exit and head on towards safety

After the storm

When emergency services or whoever says it's safe to return, you may return. Don't badger them, don't yell and scream. They know you want to go home, but if there is a powerline down on the road by your house, it's there job to tell you to wait. Let them keep you safe.

If you stayed, wait until at minimum 24 hours after the storm passes to venture outside. Power lines, trees, and other storm debris could make it dangerous to venture out. Take the dog out if you need to, but stay off the roads unless it's a life threatening emergency.

Bring protective clothing if you know there's been flooding. Closed toed shoes are key here, as are face masks and gloves. There's feces in that water which means feces in your house. Be safe.

Most likely if your home was flooded, you'll have to remove drywall to prevent mold.

Restock your hurricane kit for the next one with anything you consumed in the storm. Beware that even if you are able to get home for cleanup and damage control, supplies may be short for a few days so be prepared.

Good luck my friends! Stay safe