Stay Calm and Clear-Headed

We like to be in control. We control the thermostat, the playlist, our caloric intake(sporadically), and countless other features in our decline towards technological dystopia. And yet, we will never be able to control the weather. I love our weather in the Carolinas, but periodically we receive imported ice storms from beyond the Arctic Circle or maybe a heatwave shipped overnight first-class from Death Valley. We as a species have survived countless potential catastrophes for millennia, primarily by not losing our heads.

Survival Tip #1: Don’t panic! Mute that bug-eyed weatherman and go check the forecast and weather alerts for your local area. When your panicked mother-in-law calls for the 20th time, gently calm her down and say, “Yes Mom, we have plenty of generator fuel and toilet paper…” There is no better survival gear like common sense. Staying calm in the face of an emergency enables you to prepare effectively.

Survival Tip #2: Think ahead! Imagine yourself without power for a week and ask yourself, “What can I do now to prepare that I won’t be able to do then?” Fill the gas cans. Insulate the pump house. Charge your phone and auxiliary power bank. Find the flashlights and make sure they have good battery life. Stock up on essential groceries, drinking water and nonperishable foods. Hey y’all, milk and bread are perishable! Instead, purchase canned and shelf stable foods. Wheel your cart with dignity past the frenzy in the bread aisle and begin checking off those severe weather-proof food items from your grocery list.

Survival Tip #3: Look out for each other! One of the ways in which humanity has thwarted extinction has been our practice of working together to overcome obstacles. But sadly, we are rapidly losing our team spirit and replacing it with an individualistic lifestyle.

So check on your neighbors, especially elderly folks who may need help getting their groceries or clearing the ice from their porch. Let’s take the opportunity to make something good — like showing compassion — emerge from the escalating weather conditions.

Revival Tip #4: Trust Almighty God. There is Someone who is stronger than the weather, and He is more than capable of proving the forecast dead wrong. I think sometimes, though, God lets us experience some violent weather to help us realize just how insignificant we are, to cause us to ask for His protection, and to remind us that He has infinite resources to sustain us through whatever life may bring.

Cameron Halteman, Robbins, a member of Randolph EMC

Start a Personal Checklist

We have lived in Carteret County for almost 60 years and seen quite few hurricanes. Years ago, we started our Hurricane Checklist. It is specifically designed for our family. Some of the items would not apply to other families. (For example, not everyone would need to be sure to have a good supply of specific medical supplies; not everyone can move cars to an open field away from trees.) Scrabble is a hurricane family tradition, often played by lantern light. Other families might need to add things that aren’t pertinent to us. There is a place for new ideas and lessons learned. We add and delete things from time to time — in February, when we got 19.5 inches of snow, we added a winter storm list. Before a storm we print copies of the list, often printing extra ones for friends and family.

Grady Ormsby, Swansboro, a member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Count on Family

My daughter comes and takes me to her house where she has a heating system, a wood-burning stove with a supply of wood, and a generator. I cook and we enjoy each other’s company until it’s time to return home.

Gail Rogers, Wadesboro, a member of Pee Dee Electric

Plan Ahead for Your Animals

I prepare by ensuring my generator will start and having some extra fuel set aside in case I need to keep my refrigerator going in the event of a power outage. Loose items around the yard are tied down. Horses are labeled with marker showing my phone number should fences come down. I make sure my house pets stay close to me so I can grab them if we were to need to shelter in the bathroom for a tornado. I usually have a good supply of non-perishable food in the pantry anyway. I monitor weather reports, and if necessary, would evacuate all my animals further inland.

Katie Sanford, Hobbsville, a member of Roanoke Cooperative

Focus on Food Safety

If you’re expecting a power outage, fill any empty spots in your freezer with frozen water in clean milk jugs or whatever’s available — a full freezer keeps its temperature better.

Place a cup of water 3/4 full in the freezer. Once it freezes, put a quarter on top. If the power goes out and your quarter sinks, you know your food is more than likely spoiled.

Robert Palm, Murphy, a member of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (Ga.)