Stuck without power, running water or Internet during an evacuation? Well, The Maroon recommends these necessities you shouldn’t be without.
BATTERIESWith all the flashlights you’ll need to use to keep your electrically-challenged house illuminated, you’ll need four times as many batteries. Stock up on double and triple A, C and D for those heavy-duty flashlights.-Briana Prevost
FLASHLIGHTBecause the light of the moon may not cut it when the power goes out, you need to invest in high quality flashlights with long lasting batteries. Also, hand-held lanterns and mining style hard-hat flashlights may be old school, but nonetheless they are the envy of the neighborhood when it comes to power outages. As far as flashlights go, the more the better because, after all, a darkened home and lack of outside streetlights are eerie.-Rita West
MONEYOK, we all want those dollar-dollar bills, y’all, but during an evacuation situation, bills are the smartest way to go. If you’ve lost power, then there’s a likely chance that the corner store you want to buy ice from has lost its power, too. And, sorry, there’s no debit card to the rescue when you’re a little short on cash and need to buy essentials with the city’s lack of electricity. So, please, stock up on smaller bills from your bank if you can because in times of crisis, grocery stores and retail chains often times won’t and/or don’t make change for anything less than a $20.-Briana Prevost
NON PERISHABLE FOODNon-perishable food items don’t have to equate to canned meat and tuna, unless, of course, you like canned meat and tuna, then great. Since the C-store or your favorite fast food eatery will be closed, you will need to fend for yourself. Because only so much refrigerated food can be iced down, it is important to have at least a week (preferably two weeks) worth of non-perishable food items. Everything from dry cereal with soy milk, peanut butter and jelly, canned foods, as well as typical dry junk foods such as salsa and chips apply.-Rita West
WATERH2O is one of the most crucial storm necessities, so raid grocery stores early because this item is usually the first to disappear from shelves. Apart from the obvious drinking usage, water is also needed for daily hygienic purposes in case of a water shortage. Besides, even if you do have flowing water in your home, more than likely it will be deemed unsafe to cook with or consume. -Rita West
CELL PHONE Cell phones are obvious for many reasons. But when you take a second long enough to stop draining your battery IM’ing, shopping for ring tones, playing games or having a love affair with Facebook Mobile, you can actually use your phone for useful things. Like, say, text messaging your family to make sure they’re safe when the cell phone towers make the dialing network infinitely busy and you can’t get through, checking Loyola’s Web site for breaking news on the storm or e-mailing your teachers that you’ve lost power, and you can’t possibly complete any of their assignments.-Briana Prevost
CELL PHONE CHARGER Of course, this is only useful if you have both a cell phone and a car to charge it in, and if you do, this is something you shouldn’t be without. If you’re without electricity for more than a few days and your cell phone battery dies, this will be the only way to re-charge your phone and keep you in touch with the outside world.-Briana Prevost
ICEUnless you have the luxury of a high-power generator, you will need ice to keep any normally refrigerated foods from perishing. Stock up on as many ice chests filled with ice as possible to ensure you will be equipped for the duration of the storm. Also, without air-conditioning, the air is likely to be stifling, so at least you can enjoy an ice-cold beverage.-Rita West
GASWithout this, people, you’re stuck in the storm, and there is no evacuation for you. So when you’re leaving the city to wait in traffic for 18 hours to get to your destination, please make sure you have a full tank.-Briana Prevost
HOMEWORKIf you are some of the lucky few, however, that have electricity, running water and Internet access, then try to be ahead for once in your studies and do your homework. You’ll thank yourself later.-Briana Prevost
Briana Prevost can be reached at [email protected]. Rita West can be reached at [email protected].
