[JeremyD]

From my Hurricane prepardness the past three years - although been in Florida 16 years...

1. Cash - ATM's don't work without electricity. Cash talks in time of crises.

2. Water - Keep some potable handy - if you have a pool great - some stored - some in bathtubs - get some bleach - a couple drops in a 5 gallon bucket kills the bugs

3. Gas - if you have gas you can leave, pack your crap and go. without you can be a prisoner in your own home. Fill up early. Buy some 5 gallon gas tanks. My goal was always 250 miles. I figured if I can get 250 miles away from where I am right now - I can probably get to some area that wasn't affected. If electricity goes out - then the gas pumps can't pump. (I keep my boat with a 68 gallon gas tank topped up during hurricane season for this reason alone)

4. Propane - buy a few extra cylinders and keep them as spares. You can heat up water to bathe in, cook food - etc etc.

5. Action plan - if cell phones go down - where are we meeting as a family. a location, a time.

6. Regular phone as in non-cordless. plug into a jack - yes, they still exist, and even without electricity - it's good to have a phone that works.

7. Portable TV (battery powered) and Flashlights and candles.

8. Car charger for your cell phone. Without house electricity - you may still be able to use your cell phone, but only if it's charged - and analog service (which was available for short durations during one of the hurricanes) uses more battery...

9. Central location for all your important crap - birth certificates, insurance policies, kids pictures, important items, valuables, weapons, computer back up. Our goal is within an hour - we can collect our belongings and go - make a list now. Scan every important document you own, car titles, insurance cards, driver's license, birth certificates, insurance certificates, stock certificates, bank account info. Always best to have originals - but 2nd best is a good digital copy...

10. Video tape your belongings and redo twice a year. Go through the whole house. Keep receipts - take pictures - stick on a CD and send to your relatives in a far place.

- That's my top ten.