Once you firmly plant your feet in paradise it’s only a matter of time before you celebrate your first Hurricane Season in the Florida Keys. Preparing for a impending tropical storm is no joke. There will always be a few close calls, where the storm is coming and then veers off in another direction. Phew! Dodged another one. 

Here’s some solid items that you should strongly consider purchasing to stay comfortable in paradise before, during and after a storm.

• Water – We love our reusable bottles but the fact is once there is a storm the water (even if there is a filter) may not be suitable for drinking unless it is boiled.
• Lanterns, Headlamps & Flashlights – Candles are such a risk these days, it’s best to have some sources for light for when the power is out. They also make these really neat lightbulbs that are made for use during storms. They are rechargable and last for a few hours.
• Snacks – It’s like a road trip only you aren’t going anywhere. Snacks are essential so grab some stuff that has a longer shelf life and is not perishable. Granola bars, energy bars, popcorn (already popped), nuts. Preferabley some items that give you some energy.
• Portable battery operated fan – the power goes out in the Keys periodically throughout the year. It’s hot here most of the time. During the better part of the tropical cyclone season it’s VERY hot, so a portable USB rechargeable fan is a great addition to your supplies.
• Ice & a Cooler – Whether it’s going to keep your perishable items cold or your beer cold, might be a good idea to have a cooler and a few bags of ice on hand.
• Portable radio – A radio that runs on batteries or a hand crank is always nice to have. The local radio stations often can get information out to the local community once some power is restored. 
• Cell Phone Power Bank – Always good to have a few of these on hand for when you can’t charge your phone in the house. Charging in your car isn’t an option for those of us who drive a bicycle or scooter.
• Staple foods that don’t require refridgeration – Folks, unless you are allergic to peanut butter, the best easy food going… PB&J!
• Propane – if you’ve got a grill, there’s your ticket to cooking for a few days. If you have a propane stove in your home, you are golden.
• A Generator – a high ticket item for most, but if you own a home and stand to lose a lot of food, it’s a great investment. Take it from someone who has learned the hard way, service the generator and after the season clean it and remove the gas from it. A great source on how to do this is YouTube.
• Princess Phone (don’t laugh) – a phone that doesn’t require batteries. It just plugs into the phone jack. It will often work if you have a landline after a storm. Of course we all have cell phones but after Irma even they didn’t work that great.

If you have to evacuate:

• Obtain a re-entry sticker from the Monroe County Tax Office. Each vehicle can get one. This is important if the Keys are declared a disaster zone and you need to get back in to check on your home. Your license would work if you needed to get through a roadblock, and also a copy of the deed to your house.
• Bring important papers with you:
  • Medical Insurance Cards
  • Home Insurance Policy Declaration Pages
  • Pet records
  • Any important records that cannot be replaced very easily (passports, birth certificates, etc)
• Make sure you have some cash on hand. If the power is out, no ATMs work, no restaurants or grocery stores can accept credit cards.
• Fill up your gas tank sooner than later – once the town is buzzing that there is a storm coming, gas runs out quick
• Figure out where you will head to if you must go to the mainland and try to make a reservation ahead of time. Many hotels will waive the pet restrictions in order to help with the evacauation. 
• Any vehicles you don’t bring with you, be sure they are secure or try to take them to higher ground. The Key West parking garage sometimes has room, or on the ends of local bridges you will notice people parking vehicles because it is higher ground. 
• Purchase some rubbermaid bins to put important items in that you can’t take with you. 
• Put some items in your dishwasher, oven, washer and dryer (if they are inside your home). TAPE A NOTE TO EACH to remind you that there are items in there. Many of these appliances are water tight. 

If you stay – the aftermath – If you own a home you may be looking at cleaning up debris in your yard, and possibly inside your house. Here’s a few things that help.

• Chainsaw – essential item for cleaning up after a storm. Make sure you have an extra chain, bar chain oil and gas for the chainsaw.
• Machete – scary to own, cool to use (with caution) when making your way through any debris around the yard.
• Gloves – Heavy duty gloves are helpful when picking up debris and moving it or dragging it to a pick-up location
• Bottled Water – have a few cases on hand. Most often there will be supplies delivered by Red Cross or other orgainizations that are available to everyone affected.

I’ve been through a few pretty good storms. These are many of the items that I have learned to have on hand. It evolves each time.