Hurricane and Natural Disaster Pet Care

Excellent information over at our fellow Blogpire site Weather Snob on storm preparedness--check it out.

For a tool to create your own personal storm planner click here.

** Lessons Learned. Our area was a bulls-eye for Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne (September 2004, 3 weeks apart!) as well as Wilma in late October 2005. It was an eye-opener, especially since many of us had weathered quite a few New England hurricanes already.

It was the norm to be without power for at least a week to 10 days, some more. An important lesson Floridians learned--you are ON YOUR OWN--water, food, health, entertainment--as far as your local and state authorities go, during and at least for the first few days after the storm. They experienced the disaster too. Neighbors and strangers can be amazingly helpful in a crisis; however, plan to be completely self-reliant.

Florida residents have learned most of what we are posting here through personal experiences. Following are some strategies that we know now, that we really didn't know then.

** Evacuation. Most people shouldn't and don't evacuate. Shelters do not have unlimited capacity, and pets are not allowed. Quarters are cramped (next to strangers who may or may not share your hygiene and personal standards). Bathrooms quickly become putrid and even non-functional.

Many who headed out of town in FL during any of those storms went from the frying pan to the fire. No one knows where those darlings are headed for sure. If you abandon your home, wind and flood damage can occur that you could have prevented (fact, not theory) if you were there. You need pet-friendly accommodations on the road, sufficient provisions, and there are thunderous crowds out there competing with you for both.

Moral: if you can, stay home, although of course we defer to your public service authorities in a real-time disaster. Do what they tell you to do. (The flooding in New Orleans was not caused by the actual hurricane, but by the failure of the levees. If your area is flooded, your best option may be to flee.)

** Pets. The conventional wisdom is to not let your pets out in the storm. Of course in raging wind and floods, do not open up a door or your roof may go. We did let our girls out during the eye, and it worked out fine. Sometimes they take care of business, sometimes they turn tail back into the house. But at least they have the option. We have one very storm-phobic dog. Thunderstorms are a threat; raging wind, not so much so. All animals are different however. Caveat: These storms do displace wild critters, especially the vermin-type. Keep a lookout, inside and out!

** Pet Fence. No power, no fence. Don't let your dogs and cats run into the road! Here is our "yard", doggies doubtless swimming with the snakes:

** Generators, at home and in stores, and cars require gasoline to operate. Again, you are competing with the entire local population for gas. You can and do wait in line for hours and then they run out of supply. If gas stations do not have a generator, they are not pumping fuel anyway, or taking your credit card. Also fuel trucks must be able to get into your area in order to supply it with fuel. Ships have to get into the ports. Both did not happen in 2003. So be prepared.

** The road less traveled. If power lines are all over the roads, if roads are flooded out and/or crumbled, and bridges down or blocked, you can't get where you are going.

Trees fall down and obstruct travel.

Have you ever tried to cross (or turn left against) a major 6 lane intersection with no functional traffic light? This happened everywhere after all 3 storms. Many drivers don't remember or observe right-of-way laws--your heart is pounding. It's not as though a rescue truck is going to be free to assist you if injured.

Police are out and they stop you and send you home. The local governments impose curfews.

** Have plenty of bottled water, whether you have a well or public supply, to last you and your pets for days. Public water relies on power or pumps at the station. If the municipal pumps go down, and their back-up generators are overloaded, your water may be contaminated. Have a scent-free bleach in your home or pills to purify the water if you can't boil it for 10 - 20 minutes. Our septic system was flooded out and the public sewer, due to pump problems, was backing up. Plan accordingly.

** Food. Have at very least a week's supply of pet food at all times. When power fails, stores are not open. Now in Florida, generators have become mandatory by law in gas stations, and many supermarkets have voluntarily equipped their stores. But in many states, not so. Same applies to people food. Make sure the shelf-ready items you buy are items you really will eat. Have the supplies you need, stored in your home ahead of time. For days. And a grill, with propane supply or sterno to cook on. Food is one of the few distractions you will get if your power goes out.

** Ice. Ice was gold in the first hurricane, Frances, before the entire population wised up and, rich or poor, bought a home generator. We waited hours in line for ice and non-contaminated water. It took a few days for trucks to bring it in. That's why we recommend a home generator.

Ice, you say? You may want to save some of your refrigerated food, or can't stomach one more peanut butter sandwich. And it keeps the drinks cold. Temperature was 88 when we went to bed, 90's during the day. Hot and humid often follows a storm. We were hot, sticky and dirty for days on end. No fans running. No A/C. Every item of food or drink is 88 degrees too. But don't worry. If you have running water, the shower is cold, really really cold.

** Paper dishes and cleaning wipes. No dishwasher, no washer. Tap water may be contaminated. Have a supply of throwaways, including pet bowls.

** Adult beverages. We can be prudes and say we don't care, but the local governments not only impose curfews but they suspend sale of alcohol. If you want to relax, day or evening, keep a stock of your favorite drink. Even if you could get to the store, it's cordoned off. Caveat: Sobriety, not abstinence, is recommended, especially if you have pets, children and/or are using a generator and candles.

** No power means no TV, no radio, no computer, often no phone. Cell phones usually do not work or are spotty at best. How to charge? Get a car charger. Even your landline may not work since cables are broken and flooded out, power lines down. Battery powered radios, fans, flashlights, lamps etc are available. Stock up on batteries in advance.

** Have a stash of ready cash in your home. Roads may clear, stores may open, but often no still no power, so credit card scanners are down. ATM's are not working, and neither are the folks who supply them with money!

**Something to do while you are waiting for the sound of power trucks on your street. Boring. Other than sweep the pet hair (which accumulates quickly) what is there to do? Unless you can meditate all day, after you have hand-washed and hung out the laundry and swept the floor, it gets pret-t-t-y darn dull. Maybe a trip to the library ahead of time, or whatever would entertain you. Tivo is out and you can't read your blogs. Although our area did experience a June 2004 baby boom.

Disclaimer: This is not an advice blog. For expertise, NOAA Hurricane Preparedness.

Photos, except our yard, are courtesy of TCPalm.

June 23, 2007

Hurricane and Natural Disaster Pet Care