If you’re like me and you are from Florida (or anywhere on the Gulf/East Coast) you are no stranger to hurricanes. They happen almost every single year. We tend to watch them form way out in the middle of the ocean for weeks until it starts getting closer to the state and we have a better idea of its path. Floridians don’t freak out until the cone of uncertainty is certain.

You’re a true Floridian if you grew up with Tom Terry telling you to “hunker down.” That means business.

The majority of us do not freak out until it is a solid category 4 or higher. That’s a Florida thing, baby. We ain’t afraid of no storms!

Hurricanes of 2004

In 2004, my home state got slammed as four hurricanes stormed through (pun intended): Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. I missed so much school that year. I remember the absolute worst storm being Charley. We were out of power for a couple of days, it was hot and humid, and we got no sleep at night.

Hurricane Irma, 2017

Fast forward to 2017 when big ol’ Irma came through. It wobbled between a category 4 and 5 for days and nearly hit Florida as a 5. By the time it made it’s way up the backbone through Orlando, I would say it was between a 2-3 (can’t remember exactly). I watched the winds ruffle up the trees like when your hair gets messy after you roll down your window flying down I-4. It howled and rained for what seemed like forever.

As I woke up the next day, trees were knocked down, some even pulling up sod from the ground like it was carpet. I stayed at my parents house not too far away from my apartment. Unfortunately, we didn’t get power restored for a WEEK. I learned after that storm to never, ever be unprepared EVER again.

Right now is the time to prepare–seriously. I’m not afraid of hurricanes, but waiting in an extremely long line at Publix, rushing around to find last minute dry foods, canned goods, water, plenty of batteries, and trying to get gas is NOT FUN.

This year we also have a pandemic happening. Hurricane season is already here. I highly suggest you all start preparing right now, especially because we have already been limited on certain supplies due to the Coronavirus.

What You Need

Here’s a little list of essentials to have on hand in case we end up in that situation this year:

• Various and extra batteries (for your weather radio, battery operated candles, battery operated toys for your kids, fans, flashlights–ALL of that stuff)
• Weather radio (if you lose power and don’t have the news to keep you updated)
• Extra battery packs for cell phones/tablets
• Battery operated fans
• Flashlights
• Candles
• Dry goods, canned goods, any kind of food that won’t spoil
• BEER!
• A good cooler and extra ice to get you through at least a day or two for cold things
• First-aid kit
• Bottled water/jugs of water, enough to last you/your family at least a few days
  PRO TIP: If you have growlers, you can go to local breweries to get them filled with filtered water. You can also wash milk jugs and get them filled in the Glacier machines in the front entrances of most grocery stores.
• Baby formula, diapers, anything extra you need for your kids
• Medications
• Rain gear

Of course, if you have a generator you won’t need too much extra stuff. Hurricane preparation can be a handful, you also need to make sure you keep your gas tank full (looking for gas is also miserable) and depending on the severity of the storm, there’s a lot you also have to do to your home to avoid excessive damage.

I always try keep my gas tank at half full or higher once I see a storm potentially heading our way. Some may think I am crazy, but I will be laughing when you have 20 miles left on your tank and you’re frantically running around trying to find gas somewhere.

Hurricane Beer

Now, onto this beer that made me want to get the message out there and write this post:

Civil Society Brewing out of Jupiter, FL, cleverly brewed up this beer called Hurricane Prep. I love the label art.

You can never have to many batteries, especially if they look like this. Guessing these would be like a D battery, “D” standing for DIPA.

This smooth brew went down way too easy. A 4-pack likely would not be enough to last you through a hurricane, so I would stock up on extras.

Hopefully, you found this to be a little helpful. More importantly, I would like you to remember two things: evacuate if necessary (that’s at a category 4 or higher if you are right on the coast) and have LOTS of beer!