Ok Fellas,
I want to attempt to give my thoughts on what happenes during and after katrina,Rita,Gustav and Ike. These for me were the most stressful hurricanes I have gone through and Ive been here for 43 years (all my life). Please keep in mind that Im not a writer and this is what happened to the best of my recollection. I will add to this post as i remember things so they may be out of sync somewhat.Please feel free to ask questions about anything and I will answer the best I can. Im not a survivalist, just someone who tends to plan ahead and take care of a wife,2 kids and a MIL.
I live in a small town south of NO called Chauvin.You can find it on Google if you like, Its 19 miles to the end of the road, and the last sign of land on this highway.
Anyhow we start to prep, pickup loose items in the yard, pickup a few food items (not something we worry about too much here) Help the older neighbors with things. We also fuel up all the vehicles and containers, start an run the generator, check connections, get 2 window a/c units ready, things like that. I usually get a few things like rope, 2 cycle oil, AMMO, we wash clothes, dishes and things. We get our important papers out and go through em, making sure everything is there. They stay in waterproof containers under our bed so they can be loaded into the vehicle.
Anyhow, I tend to get a few supplies..things like 100' of 1/4 rope to tie things and whatnot. 1/2" rope to pull trees or stuck vehicles if needed. You get the idea. I bring my boat to friends or family farther north for safe keeping, and keep my pirogue handy in my truck. We load up vehicles with bug out supplies, clothes go in my wifes Tahoe, papers, and things that need to be dry also. the generator, fuel cans, rope, chainsaw, pirogue, hatchet, hand tools for vehicle repairs and anything else that i think we may need goes in the back of my truck. My guns except for my 12 gauge gets wrapped in a blanket and places behind the seat of my truck. the 12 gets put up front with me.
Keep in mind that if/when we evac, we tend to look at most things as replaceable. The keepsake that my granny gave me doesnt matter anymore. Im looking for 2 things when I pack, things I can use, and things I can pawn or trade if the cash flow starts getting low. At this point my wife or myself goes to the bank and drains all the accounts except for whats written in checks. we divide this between ourselves and I usually take half of what I have and hide it in my truck. If we get separated,we both have money. Oh yeh, we both have a truckers road atlas under the seats, they tend to show the least used backroads. I carry water purification tablets also, its easy to find water and purify, easier than having it occupy a space in the back of my truck at 8lbs per gallon.
We keep first aid kits in our vehicles all the time and i have 2 of the 10 q-beams that are rechargable,plus they have a 12 and 120 volts chargers. I use these in my boat so its something we use anyhow. Ok I will add more later, its time to play cards, Dave