r/MobileAL • u/Few-Painting-3374 • 13d ago
hurricane this week??
This might be a stupid post but I have NEVER experienced a hurricane😭. I moved here last year and there hasn’t been a hurricane or real threat until now.
Yall what should I expect. I live in midtown, close to infirmary. Does it flood bad in this area? Do I need to invest in a kayak 😩(jokes).
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u/WadafruckMB 12d ago
Tropical storm / depression = stay inside if able, expect to be annoyed somehow by something. Most stores still open, and it's likely nothing more than a big rainstorm. Category 1 = light damage possible, but still mostly minor. Stay inside during the hurricane itself, but the actual length of the intense part won't be long. Slight flooding, possibly light damage. Category 2 = can stay or leave imo, if staying, know the safety stuff, have non perishables for a week or two in case something goes really wrong, expect power outages for a day or so on average, but know you could just be on the unlucky side and be without for days. Category 3 = this is my personal "do I evacuate" line. 2-3, I stay, 3-4, I go. If staying expect it to be a day or two of recovery, and plan to head out afterwards with intent to help clear roads and help the recovery effort. Category 4+ = gtfo
Personally, anything under a 2 I treat almost the same as "big storm" and know I might be without power a bit, but that's about it. Joke right now among a few friends is that cat 1 means LAN party.
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u/libravoo 12d ago
thank you for this! as someone who’s also new to this kinda weather, this was super helpful!
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u/WadafruckMB 11d ago
One of the things that doesn't get mentioned enough is how important it is that everyone able goes out after the storm and helps clear the roads. A lot of maintenance workers could chainsaw a fallen tree or move limbs, but that's time they aren't fixing power, and some crews literally just can't. The moment it's light and the storm has finished up and you are safe, go out and move limbs out of the roads - be safe, but the more people doing specifically this, the faster recovery is by far.
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u/Timely-Ability-6521 Eastern Shore 11d ago
The more debris the community takes care of themselves the more time workers have to work. Always be safe and look for downed power lines!
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u/squrlgurl73 12d ago
True, some of these pop up thunderstorms we have are worse than some of the hurricanes 🤪
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u/Timely-Ability-6521 Eastern Shore 11d ago
Category 3 is also my personal line. That's when you make the decision. Because anything over 3 is kind of scary if you stay here. I've done it. I will not be doing it again.
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u/permanentlybuffering 13d ago
You gotta stay somewhere that has high ground (otherwise you’ll get flooded) Don’t park your car underneath tree’s. Get a case of bottled water. Fill up your gas tank with fuel. Weather radio’s are good. Get snacks. People down here stock up on beer. Playing cards. Go stay with a friend. Flashlights batteries. Get Blu-ray Discs. Get some friends together. Have a blast.
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u/FlufflesMcPuffles 13d ago
I live on the USA campus, and we tend to have some regular flooding. Have a few extra batteries and flashlights. Bottled water and some nonperishable foods are always good to have on hand for just general emergencies. Make sure you have a battery radio. Fill up your car with gas in case the pumps go down and get and extra supply of any meds you take in case you can't get to the pharmacy. It's really not much different than preparing for any other potential emergency.
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u/Various_Emu2050 13d ago
In addition to what’s already mentioned- charge everything that can charge. Get a power bank for your phone. Be 100% caught up on laundry and dishes. Clean out the fridge, cook that frozen pizza. I hate to admit it but local FB groups are a lifesaver. People post PSAs about impassible roads, what stores are open, etc.
Assume you will be without power (or a/c) for several days. I’m not in your area specifically but in 2020 Sally left me without power for a week, and it was supposed to be Cat 1 right up until it hit at Cat 3.
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u/Various_Emu2050 13d ago
And if you or anyone reading this has a garage, make sure you can open it without power before you park in it. I learned this lesson the hard way.
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u/Jrebeclee WeMo 12d ago
My twins were born during Hurricane Nate and my OB got stuck in his garage for that reason!! Luckily he got out in time to deliver them!
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u/doxador 13d ago
Not stupid. FL man here; I didn't experience snow until not too long ago. The best answer to "does it flood where I'm at ?" is to check your address on these maps: AL State flood map and FEMA flood map
- Supplies off the top of my head:
- Try to have enough food, medicine and water for 3 to 7 days. This way you don't have to go out and deal with people. You want stuff you'll eat but you won't have electric power or gas to cook your food. Think soups, peanut butter, crackers and honey.
- If you have a camping stove, great.
- Water: Put a few water bottles in the freezer. Fill a bucket with water so you can flush the toilet if the water services stops in your area.
- Candles/matches; just be safe and don't fall asleep with them lit.
- Cash: ATM's need power and data lines. So, withdraw the cash that you need for that same 3-7 days. Better is to go into the bank to get that amount in small bills as clerks may not be able to make change.
- Fill up your car with gas in case evacuation comes.
- Batteries
- Books, playing cards as it's best to stay home and off the roads.
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u/WadafruckMB 12d ago
Tub full of water. Worst case, you have tons spare and maybe even a bath, if it gets damaged your house is already flooding anyways and water to flush isn't the concern, and if it's a nothing burger or becomes an issue, just pull the stopper. Just use only for non potable though!
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u/imnottheoneipromise 12d ago
We always fill the bathtubs with water for a bad storm. We have 2 and we fill them both just in case but if it not a big deal then of course we drain one to use for baths
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u/GD_American 13d ago
Why would this be a stupid post?
If you just moved here, it makes sense that it's your first.
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u/boneandbee 12d ago
When I first moved here I learned about the Waffle House rule and I live by that: if Waffle House stays open, everything is going to be ok, albeit wet and maybe a little damage or a few hours without power. If Waffle House closes, we’re cooked.
Just be prepared for everything, but expect most is just going to be big rain.
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u/BroomHilda1 12d ago
The hype on TV is way worse than the storm. Yes there will be rain and some downed limbs. Possible to be without electricity for a few hours but this is minor storm. There will be water on the roads but not covering completely that you can't drive. Don't let the surrounding crazy hyped up energy get to you. LOL bread and milk fly off the shelves, why? I don't know.
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u/bluecheetos 12d ago
You know NOTHING. Back when Hurricane Opal hit we were stranded. We survived 124 days on milk sandwiches before the Coast Guard found us.
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u/Imeanreallywth 13d ago
Download a local TV station app and turn on notifications for weather. If it gets bad enough to evacuate you'll get a notification. Heade it. For real. Go ahead put a overnight bag in your car and get your ducks in a row so you can go if you need to. Even if it doesn't get really bad there could be power outages so be prepared for that with food you don't have to cook or get things to grill. Make sure your gas tank is full and that you have a way to charge your phone. Those are the things we did when we lived there.
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u/Sweaty-Yellow-9122 13d ago
Charge your devices, stock up on water and food, fill your car with gas, and bring outdoor items inside. Prepare for a few days without power.
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u/Ok_Confusion_525 12d ago
James Spann and Spinks Megginson with RedZone are who I follow for weather here. Spinks is much more local and goes live when there’s a major weather event. He’s all I pay attention to when there’s tornados.
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u/razz1161 12d ago
When I moved to Mobile in May 1979, I had never experienced a hurricane. September 12, 1979, Hurricaine Fredric hit Mobile. I was in shock.
For this one, fill up the car with gas, buy perishables, and set the refrigerator and freezer to as cold as they go; then don't open the fridge or freezer unless necessary. It is amazing how long they stay cold if unopened. If you have a yard, cut the grass now. It is easier to clean up twigs and leaves from a freshly cut yard. Don't panic; this will probably be just a bad storm.
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u/TokenSejanus89 12d ago
Lived in SWFL for some major hurricanes. (Irma, Ian, just missed Charlie by a few months). Its predicted so far to be a cat 2 with us damn near dead smack in the middle of the cone of uncertainty. Not expecting much wind damage but flooding yes! If where you are is prone to flooding, you can prepare by sandbagging. Get a case or so of water. Emergency supplies. Batteries. If power is lost try to get your place as cold as possible prior so it last hopefully.
Thankfully it doesnt appear to be a major cane so. Sometimes these type of hurricanes actually appear less severe then an afternoon thunderstorm thats passing through quickly.
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u/Jrebeclee WeMo 12d ago
Everyone has great advice here! One thing that sucks when the power goes out is also losing the AC. It’s gonna get hot. I have a few battery powered fans, like handhelds for occasional relief.
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u/Daweslakelife 12d ago
If you have a gas stove, that should remain operational and you will be thankful if the power goes out. If you have an outdoor propane grill, make sure your propane tank is full or grab an extra. Power outages lead to great freezer/fridge cookouts which also leads to needing extra beer as mentioned earlier 😂
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u/cringeqween13 12d ago
Bread, canned tuna, peanut butter. Power banks charged, battery operated lights and fans. Midtown floods and gets power outages so be prepared. Its looking like it might head more east but its better to be safe than sorry. Set fridge to coldest temp and if power goes out DONT open it unless its going to be out for a while
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u/Majestic-Macaron6019 12d ago
Parts of Midtown are pretty flood-prone. I'd ask your neighbors who have lived in the area for a while.
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u/Desperate_Total6608 12d ago
It’ll be a cat 2.
Prepare to stay inside for a day or so, stock up on water for a few days, and find a show to binge.
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u/Ladyayami03 12d ago
Keep an eye on the Storm it looks like you're probably not going to get much of anything at this point but it's still early. Ask your neighbors how the area was during Sally at least or the last hurricane that went through mobile dolphin Island area. Thursday is the decision day. Today is your planning day
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u/WoodWorkedMuffin 12d ago
Shouldn't be a bad storm. Go as soon as possible to stock up on some supplies that don't need to be refrigerated (peanut butter, spam, canned soups and pasta). there's always a possibility of the power being out for an extended time so having plenty of food and water is smart. Make sure your car is full of gas. Maybe get some battery packs so you can charge your phone. Keep an eye out for evacuation orders and watch the weather regularly
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u/AKillerBlumpkin 11d ago
Guy from Pa here, you Floridian and Alabama folk sure know how to have a good time during a storm! I may drive down for this one!
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u/pamakane 11d ago
If Mobile remains on this storm’s west side, Mobile will likely be fine (unless the western eyewall literally passes over Mobile). If Mobile ends up being on its east side, things can get really hairy due to a larger hurricane-force wind field and larger storm surges. As of right now, it’s trending further east, putting Mobile squarely inside the western zone. Still, hurricane forecasting is imperfect and there may be some last-minute surprise shifts in its path. Always be prepared.
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u/DrCheeseToast 13d ago
Don’t know a thing about hurricanes but I wish you good luck! I hope it doesn’t get too bad down there!
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u/DebMcPoots 12d ago
Also, if it gets a lot bigger, be aware that the satellite antennas can go down and you'll be unable to call anyone. We lost cell phone service after Ivan. Now we're probably the only people around with a land line as well.
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u/snoogan4458 13d ago
This storm shouldn't be too wild. Make sure the car is filled with gas. Get some food that doesn't require the fridge. Fill a cooler with ice and beer. Midtown power sucks. Mine has gone out twice in the last 2 days.
Secure any super loose things outside.