Are You Storm Ready? Eco Preparedness Tips

By Carrie Resch

We are in the peak of hurricane season which lasts from June 1 to November 30. Are you storm ready?

Make sure you have enough food for you and your pets, and get medications refilled. It’s a good idea to get your pet microchipped in case you get separated. Make sure to register your pet’s microchip. You can register the chip for free via www.freepetchipregistry.com. Gather your pet’s vaccination records in case you need to evacuate to a shelter, and pack a kit for them.

​Check your storm drains to make sure they are clear of debris to reduce flooding. Pick up litter in your neighborhood pre-storm so it doesn’t wash down storm drains.

​Here are some other storm ready eco tips.

Water

The 7-gallon Reliance Aqua-Tainer

Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a refillable water jug that you can fill pre-storm and use to refill reusable water bottles. Get creative! You don’t necessarily need to run out and buy something new – fill up your existing containers and pitchers. You can throw some pre-filled water bottles in the freezer, so if you lose power, you will have cold water. As a bonus, the frozen bottles can double as “ice packs” for your food. Don’t forget to fill your bathtubs and sinks up with water as well for bathing, washing hands and flushing toilets. If you don’t end up needing the water you’ve collected, you can use it to water plants.

If you're concerned about your water quality for drinking water, you could always purchase a water filter. Brita water filters are recyclable through Terracycle. Details about how to recycle the filters are available online.

Charging Devices

Consider investing in solar chargers for your devices, such as the Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel or Goal Zero Yeti 150 Portable Power Generator. 

Flashlights

There are several solar and rechargeable lanterns and flashlights on the market as well, such as the MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 Inflatable Solar Lantern (it floats!) or the Goal Zero Lighthouse Micro Charge Light, which can be recharged via USB port or optional solar charger.

Camp Stove

Make sure you have plenty of charcoal or propane for cooking. This handy BioLite Wood Burning CampStove can cook your meals and charge your devices. 

Non-perishable Food

Keep non-perishable foods on hand such as Amy's Kitchen canned chilis and soups or Dr. McDougall's vegan meals. 

Pet-friendly Evacuation Plan

Don't forget to make plans for your pets! Have a plan and take them with you! Remember, pets are a lifetime commitment. In case of emergency, they will need you more than ever. Don’t leave them behind — plan ahead. 

Locate your pet-friendly shelters in the area and make sure you have all the required paperwork like vaccination records. Keep a photo of your pet handy and also a photo of you and your pet to prove ownership. 

Check out sites like www.petswelcome.com to locate pet-friendly hotels you can evacuate to. Check out this list from the Humane Society for other resources, including how to make a pet evacuation kit.