Hurricane Season Begins June 1st – Are You Prepared?

The predictions for hurricane season 2019 are already coming out. So, now is the time to get ready now before the lines get long and you can’t find what you need. Here are our top tips.

Before You Get Glued to the Hurricane Tracker

Don’t wait until the lines get long, people are nervous, and you can’t find what you need. Get what you need now and avoid the stress. Here’s a quick list of the top items both businesses and homes need to have on hand.

1. Water – is the most essential thing to have plenty of. You need to have one gallon of water per day per person and pet. Minimally, you’ll need enough water for three days per person. If possible, have two weeks worth. If it’s super hot, store more. An easy way to do this is every week buy an extra case of water. Make sure you store it in a cool, dry space.
2. Food – you know the drill, get plenty of canned goods like salmon, tuna, fruit, apple sauce, veggies, peanut butter (that doesn’t have to be refrigerated after opening), crackers, cereal, almond milk, dry milk, instant coffee. Also,  include high energy foods like protein bars and protein powder.
3. Cash – if the ATM is down or the line is too long you’ll be glad if you have cold hard cash in your hands. Make sure you have lots of 1’s, 5’s, 10’s, and 20’s. That is important for both home and business.
4. First aid kit – make sure you include a week’s worth or more of medications along with non-prescription drugs. Double check that your kit is complete with antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze pads, sterile dressing, and antibacterial ointment. All of these items are critical in case of an injury before, during, or after the storm.
5. Batteries, Flashlights, and a Battery-Operated Radio – You don’t want to be cut off from the news so be sure to have a battery-operated radio. Additionally, when nighttime arrives, have lots of flashlights ready to go. Batteries are one of the things that run out first at the store so have a good stock of AA, AAA, C, D along with extra cell phone chargers.
6. Paper goods – needless to say, make sure you don’t run out of toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, bowls, plastic utensils, and cups. Along with that have a good supply of kitchen garbage bags and large black garbage bags. These will come in handy before, during, and after landfall.
7. Old school paper map – what if you must evacuate and your phone isn’t charged? You won’t be able to rely on your GPS so you’ll have to read a regular paper map. Get one of each area you may have to evacuate to. If you’re a member of AAA, you can get what you need there.
8. Contacts and phone numbers – it’s incredible how much we rely on our cell phones. If the battery is dead, will you know the important phone numbers of your family and friends? Make a list and keep a copy in your wallet and glove compartment.

Have the Fuel You Need

Avoid the gas lines and get ready ahead of time. Also, make sure you know how to safely store extra fuel.

1. Gasoline – whether you’re getting ready for your home or business you’ll want to have all vehicles gassed up. If you’re a business with a bulk fuel provider make sure you order service well before landfall and stay in close communication through the hurricane season.
2. Bulk Fuel Delivery – if you have any of these types of businesses Landscaping, Construction, Concrete, Refrigeration, Auto Dealerships, Fleet & Transportation, Delivery, Power Generation and have been considering bulk fuel service and delivery, get set up ASAP so you’re prepared in case of disaster.
3. Mechanical check – Before hurricane season, have the main cars and trucks checked by your mechanic to make sure they’re in good working order. You don’t want to get stuck on the road. That is especially important for businesses that stay open during disasters.
4. Propane – if you have propane, here are safety tips. Don’t bring the canister inside a home because if there is a fire, the tank can explode. If you leave the canister outside, secure well and put them in a well-ventilated space away from heavy traffic.

Hurricane Preparedness for Pets

Make sure you’re prepared for your pets. Since we’re animal lovers here at Ricochet Fuel, and hurricane season is a super busy time for us, we make sure we have everything our dogs, cats, birds, fish, and other animals need to get through the storms. That includes

1. Pet carriers – If there is a big storm coming, you will not be able to find pet carriers and Amazon may not be able to deliver them on time. Trust us, get what you might possibly need now.
2. Food – Get extra dry and canned food, enough for a week. Add some treats too.
3. Water – Have extra water for your pet. It doesn’t have to be as expensive as what you drink, make sure you have enough for them.
4. Neighborly Help – Get to know your neighbors so they can get your pets if you’re away. Do the same for them and be sure to exchange cell numbers. Either that or have a few friends lined up who know your pets and can take care of them.
5. Shelters and Hotels – know which shelters and hotels accept pets in case you have to evacuate. Just a note, many hotels that normally don’t take animals make exceptions during a disaster. Make sure you keep your list of pet-friendly hotels handy.
6. Veterinarians – make sure your pet is up-to-date on all of their licensing, vaccinations, and you have any medicine they need. Some shelters won’t take unlicensed and unvaccinated animals. Also, locate vets in the area you will be evacuating to in case of emergency care.
7. Microchips – when you go to the vet make sure you get your pet micro-chipped if they aren’t already. If they have a chip, make sure it’s working and it has your current cell numbers.
8. Boarding – if you must evacuate and can’t take your pets, visit boarding facilities to see where they can stay.

Here is a sneak peek at the hurricane names for 2019. For Atlantic hurricanes, the names get repeated and reused every seventh year. Here are the first ten.

Andrea – 2013 tropical storm, highest winds 62 mph

Barry – 1983, highest winds 60 mph. Nice to have a male name

Chantal – 1989 made landfall in Texas, highest winds 80 mph

Dorian – 2013 was a mild storm (unlike the Portrait of Dorian Gray – creepy)

Erin – this popular name was used five times before

Fernand – different spelling from the famous bull

Gabrielle – caused flooding in 2001

Humberto – 2007 Cat 1 that formed quickly and intensified super-fast

Imelda – hit in 2013, not a big deal.

Jerry – 1989 caused flooding in Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia

Ricochet Fuel is Here to Help

Ricochet provides affordable and reliable bulk fueling for over 30 years. We are here to help you save money and time. We can provide diesel fuel delivery directly into your vehicles, tanks or equipment 24 hours every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, on a schedule that best fits your operation. We’re here to help you and your business through the hurricane. Contact us today at 833-724-2789.