Living in Los Cabos: It’s Hurricane Season (Part 3)

I lied. I didn’t mean to, of course. I signed off yesterday’s blog with: “Next we’ll talk about things you can do well in advance of a storm to get ready. Mostly little things, but if you do them in advance you won’t be running around town like mad when a storm alert is issued.” That sounded right at the time, but in retrospect, you’ll still be running around town doing the last minute stuff, but there will be less of it and you’ll be less frustrated and not fighting someone over the last pack of AA’s in the state.

So OK, what are the things you can be doing now, when there is no storm out there, to get ready? First you’ll want to check your status against the expert advice about what to have on hand for a storm. Put very succinctly: figure out what you need that isn’t perishable and go get it. But of course I never say anything that succinctly….

This time of year I start buying a few extra things in anticipation of a storm when I do my regular grocery shopping. Mostly canned food goods: tuna, peanut butter, vegetables, that sort of thing. This year with all the babies in the office I’m reminded that when there is a town with damage one of the most urgent pleas is for baby food and diapers. And of course don’t forget your four-legged friends, either. It’s a good time to stock up on bottled water. As my friend Dr. Jim McAlister likes to say: Cabo is a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem. On that note I should mention that town goes dry during a storm and if there is damage for some days or weeks after it passes by. Make plans accordingly.

In addition to food you’ll want batteries and candles. Hint: these will disappear from the store quickly when a storm is approaching. So your best bet is to try to get them ahead of time. The batteries are for your flashlights, lanterns, radios and such. The experts say to be sure you have an adequate supply of flashlights but no one ever says what that is. You’ll need at least one hand-held flashlight per person, one in each vehicle and a few spares. You’ll probably want a few battery-powered lanterns, one or two for each room you’ll be in during the storm. Candles help as well, especially the type that burn for a number of hours. A battery-powered radio is a good idea, too. Usually CaboMil continues to broadcast during a storm and if at all possible has some bulletins in English. If you have little ones remember that they might be frightened by a big storm; sometimes a special toy can help take their minds off things. You’ll want plenty of batteries for that.

It is imperative that you have an adequate first aid kit; if a window breaks someone is going to need it. Again, don’t forget the pets and make sure you have what you’ll need is one of them is injured. If your stove isn’t propane you might want a small camping stove for after the big event and plenty of fuel for it. If you don’t have an ice chest invest in one. After a big storm our supply chain is cut off, don’t forget to stay stocked up on toilet paper, trash bags, etc. And you’ll want to be sure you’ve got some paper plates and cups because if it even thinks of raining our aqueduct breaks and you’ll be conserving water.

Now if you read the previous post you will remember that your home will take water. It’s just a question of how much. Mopping will be called for, and you’ll need equipment. Figure one mop and bucket per able-bodied person. Just a hint from our experience: since both Bob and I have back issues we’ve found it much better to squeegee than to mop. Many stores carry large, long-handled squeegees and dustpans (they look like oversized pooper scoopers). We’ve found that squeegeeing the water into the pan and then dumping it in the bucket is the most efficient and back-friendly way to get water off the floor. You’re not cleaning, you’re bailing.

Wow! I just glanced back and realized this sounds like preparation for doomsday. And it is, you’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I don’t want to jinx anything, but [KNOCK WOOD] most of these supplies will get used up gradually during the coming year. But, should the big one hit you’ll be ready. Next up: what to do when a storm is actually approaching…..

Carol Billups is Broker/Owner of REALTY EXECUTIVES Los Cabos. A Certified Home Marketing Specialist, she has enjoyed working with both buyers and sellers for over nine years and still thinks hers is the best job on earth. She is also the real estate columnist for Los Cabos Magazine and the real estate co-ordinator for the Los Cabos Now program on CaboMil FM (www.cabomil.com.mx). You can read more of her articles on www.reloscabos.com. You can reach her from the U.S. or Canada at 1-760-481-7694, or in Cabo at 044-624-147-7541.

© 2010 Carol S. Billups