For Me: Typhoon Checklist

Today is officially Typhoon Season; which means I, in all my momma-bear glory, have to be prepared.

I know I don't want to go to the commissary or PX when everyone is trying to stock up when a typhoon is forecasted.   So here's what's suggested for a kit:

1. Water: 1 gallon/day/person recommended for 2-4 days. So we'll say 3 days= 9 gallons +1 for Addy= 10 gallons.  That's a lot of water!
2. Non-perishable food: peanut butter, cereal, granola, dried fruit, and nuts.
3. Canned food for Addy
4. Paper plates, cups, utensils (if power goes out we may be under a water boil order)
5. Flashlights & batteries, candles & lighter
6. Portable radio (extra batteries!!)
7. Coolers
8. Potty pads for Addy
9. Bucket/Mops
10. Tarp/plastic/heavy cardboard in emergency for broken windows
11. First Aid kit
12. Phone numbers for utility companies (if we choose to live off-base) and/or leasing agency; Red Cross on Foster (098-970-3800); renters insurance agency, Kadena Kennel in case we need to leave and board Addy; MTF and VTF as well as copies of policies, utilities account numbers, and vet records. 

12-72 hours beforehand:

• Gas up Cars
• Get Cash/Yen
• Take out all trash
• Charge Cell Phones
• Unplug electronics that could get damaged in a power surge
• Secure anything outdoors
• Ensure we have enough diapers & Addy food to get through the week
• Freeze containers of water/buy a bunch of ice; turn fridge colder so if power goes out it will stay cooler longer
• Wash fruits/veggies so they are good to go if power goes out

In case of power outage:

According to the FDA:

"Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
• A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two days."

Eat perishables while they are still at safe temperatures.

Whew! my need-to-be-prepared itch has been scratched.  Now I just need to get over to the commissary.  :)

In case you're wondering, my checklist is compiled from several sources and if I didn't cite them I'd feel like an English-major fraud (though I'm a terrible english major anyway):
1.  Okinawa Hai! My favorite Okianwa-everything blog!
2.  National Hurricane Center.  Don't know if Japan has a typhoon site, but I can't read Kanji, anyway.
3.  FDA because I <3 food & it's a different ball game when you're stuck indoors for a few days without power.
4. EPA  Tax dollars at its best!
5. Handy dandy "Okinawa Guide 2012" they handed out at the newcomer orientation.
6. Ready.gov, which looks like it was created in response to Katrina.  I found the food list helpful because I really try not to buy non-perishable foods for our day-to-day eating.