I live in Florida.  Which means that one is always aware of the potential for a hurricane.

And just now, 1100 hours 16 August 2008, I looked at this projected path for Tropcial Storm Fay, soon to be Hurricane Fay.  The “X” is where I live!

Rut Row! Somewhere around 8 PM on Tuesday next the eye of the storm will pass over my house.

Fortunately this is projected to be a category 1 hurricane, but my instinct tells me that it will be a category 2 by the time it gets to me, because the Gulf of Mexico is really warm right now, some would say the water is hot.  Storms always build quickly when they enter the gulf.  That has been my experience.

Of major concern to me and the folks who live in the Tampa Bay area is not just the winds from the storm but the storm surge.  Tampa Bay is shallow and the eyewall of the storm will lift the waters of the bay.  Maybe as much as eight feet!  That spells disaster for thousands of homes and businesses along the bay.

My house is 14 feet above sea level, so I will be praying that the surge won’t get to me, but I could be wrong.

In the meantime, what am I doing to prepare for the storm?

1.  Fortunately I have already installed windows and doors that are rated to withstand 130MPH winds.  I did that some time ago.  I was particularly concerned about my garage doors, usually the first area of a house that implodes. So, I bought two very good doors, both rated to withstand the same 130MPH winds.

2. Today I filled up my Van’s gas tank and bought eight gallons more for my generator.  We always lose power during even a mild storm.  Not having a refrigerator is an issue, along with air conditioning, it gets really hot in Florida.  My guess is that we will be without power for up to five days or more.  No way to know. But I do have the generator.  That will help.

3. During the next two days I will be moving outdoor furniture, flower pots, and other items inside my garage.  One does not want a flower pot thrown through one’s windows, or my neighbors’ windows either.

4. I already have a large roll of plastic, which I can use to cover areas of my roof that may come undone during the storm.  That stays in my garage and is there if I need it.  Along with nails.

5. I have two chain saws.  Sometimes these are absolutely necessary as was the case a few years back when a large tree came down between my house and my neighbor’s house.  It took us five hours to cut the tree into small pieces and get out off the side of my house.

6. I stocked up on canned goods and water today as well, along with my LP gas tank.  Might have to use a grill to cook something.  Not likely to have the use of my stove.

7. Got some cash from the bank today as well.  Credit cards are useless when there is no power.  So even if stores are open, not likely that one can buy anything without cash.

8. Will backup my computer today, making sure I have extra copies of key documents.  And, as the storm approaches, will carefully monitor when I need to unplug my computers from power sources.  But, of course, that will be last minute stuff, since I will be monitoring the storm closely through the Internet.

9. Will get out my Glock 10mm and make sure it is working properly.  Seems that others have suffered from looters following a storm.  It can be a dangerous time.  Being armed is a good idea.  I’m well armed.

10. Have lots of batteries and a weather radio, gotta find that radio though.  Currently charging my cell phone as I will not likely have telephone service once the storm approaches.

11. Will check to see if my son needs any help at his house.  He has plenty of plywood to put up, but fortunately he has planned well too with pre-drilled anchors ready to mount the plywood to.

12. Will check with my neighbors to see if they plan on staying at home during the storm or whether they plan to leave and to offer as well help in preparing for the storm.

There are at least 46 other things I will think of in the next few hours that need doing.  But, at least I’m preparing and thinking well in advance of the storm.

Will post more about this as time goes by.  Might even get some photos worth sharing.