Water and Hurricane Ivan

Here are some insights on water after a natural disaster from Lisa in Florida:

Water and Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan struck our city in September 2004.

Before this experience I could never have imagined turning a faucet on and nothing coming out. I had always stored a few gallons of water because my grandma always said you should store water. It was one of those things I did because I learned it growing up. I did not do it because I understood how easily the water supply could be shut off and how important water is! It never occurred to me that I could need it for anything other than my car radiator! A neighbor told me to fill up my bathtub before the storm hit. This was another case where I really could not imagine needing it, but I went ahead and did to follow my neighbor's advice.

After the hurricane there was no running water. I still remember my shock turning on the faucet and having nothing come out. I tried it again and still nothing. The bathtub full of water meant we could flush the toilet. Families that did not fill up their tub had no way to flush their toilets unless they used their bottled drinking water.

You want to store a lot of paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups and trash bags to dispose of them. Even if you have bleach and a lot of water stored, you don't "feel" clean when so much yuckiness is around you. You will definitely appreciate the disposable items to feed your family with. Without power, spills are very common at night. Store a few $1 shower curtains (away from food because they have a strong scent) to put around your dining area to protect your carpet.

If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, make sure you turn it back to off. I was at work when the water came back on. My apartment had water all over it again when we came home!

The lesson here is to store not only drinking water in small bottles but large quantities of water with ways to purify it. Also store disposable plates, cups, utensils and hygiene items. I think the sanitation kit with the toilet seat and bucket would be great to have. Besides the issue of running water, a bathroom can be damaged like any other room.

I think the ready bath kits would be great to have. Most of us have gone one day without showering. It's not pleasant when you have to go more than that, especially in the heat, and when there is no electricity or running water to wash your clothes.

You may need water to clean with too. Disasters are messy and everything may be wet and in need of being cleaned with bleach water. In this area the moisture + heat = mold and the only remedy is to clean with a combination of bleach and water.

Lisa, Florida