After living in the Sunshine State for 22 years, hurricane preparation is like second nature to me. Growing up, my family often weathered through the storm instead of evacuating (literally), so I've had my fair share of sitting in a powerless house with nothing to do (other than play indoor manhunt with my older brothers). Living in Florida during your first hurricane season can be intimidating, but don't fret – I've compiled a list of everything you need to have stocked in your TCC apartment in case of a hurricane.
Tallahassee Hurricane Apartment Essentials
Water – This may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people find themselves scouring the shelves for a case of water days before a hurricane comes. Water makes up on average 60 percent of the human body and we can't survive without it for more 3-4 days... AKA = Water is one of the most important items you need to stock up on. A general rule of thumb is to preserve one gallon of water per person, per day. And if you have furry friends living with you in your apartment near TCC, don't forget to snag some water for them!
Food – Another no-brainer. I honestly feel silly for adding food to the list (I mean, duh?!) but I'm just trying to be as thorough as possible for your first hurricane prep. Be sure to get enough to last you at least 3-4 days without power. My go-to nonperishable, hurricane-ready foods to add to your grocery list:
- - granola bars, meal replacement bars, protein bars, etc.
- - pop tarts
- - chips, boom-chick-pop
- - beef jerky (protein!!)
- - cookies, specifically Tate's chocolate chip cookies. They're delish and guilt-free (kinda)
Lighting – I feel like people underestimate the tragedy that is loss of power. Call me dramatic, but I would NOT like walking around my TCC apartment in complete darkness for days on end. This is why flashlights, candles, matches and even battery-operated lanterns are essentials to keep in your hurricane prep kit. I also have a few portable batteries that are always fully charged so I can charge my phone if need be (only for emergencies, of course!) Be sure to stock up on batteries too - luckily most apartments near TCC have extra storage to conceal these chunky essentials.
Entertainment – Ok, this isn't an absolute necessity, but if you and your roommates are trapped indoors with no AC, no electricity and no running water, you might as well make the best of it. Keeping board games in your Tallahassee Community College apartment is not only useful for a night in with friends, but it'll also help the hours pass if your apartment loses power during a hurricane. If you start feeling a bit of cabin fever, I find that taking a dip in the pool once the storm dies down is a fun way to get out of your apartment without having to drive anywhere (as long as it's not lightening!)
Even though apartments in Tallahassee area are in the northwest region of Florida, you can never be too prepared for hurricane season. I hope this list of essentials helps make hurricane prep a breeze.