Weather Emergency Meals
I'm a Savannah resident facing the threat of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna by the end of the week. On the Georgia coast, we're not very practiced when it comes to hurricanes. While the forecasts waver on how much of an impact we'll get, I'm trying to figure out what to eat should we lose power, assuming we don't have to evacuate.
While canned soup and Chef Boyardee are easy sustenance, I'd love to know of any suggestions from others who may have gone through similar weather emergencies. I'm planning as if our outdoor propane grill is the only cooking heat source we'll have.
Of course, there's always the salmon in the freezer that will be lovely on the grill once everything starts to defrost!
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18 Comments:
you can grill so much these days, when we've lost power in NC during the icy storms, we make most meals, including breakfast on the grill... just make sure you have a full tank!
and good luck in the storm!
Southern_bella at 7:01PM on 09/02/08
Cold cereals, crackers, cookies, fruit, bread are all good. Eat first anything you can from the fridge that might go bad if the power stays out too long - cheese, cold cuts, juices, milk...
If you lose power and have a gas grill, try to grill anything that might go bad in the fridge/freezer. You can use the grill too to warm up anything left over.
Out of all the weather hazards, hurricaines are the "best" because they "let you know they're coming" and you can prepare for them - as opposed to tornados, earthquakes, tidal waves, and the sorts.
MadelynRodriguez at 8:07PM on 09/02/08
Go to your nearest restaurant supply or camping store and buy a butane stove (single burner, in a plastic case, should cost about $50). They get hot enough to actually cook on, and can hold a reasonably sized pot. Get extra tanks if you can. These are safe to use indoors.
Otherwise, canned (or pouched) tuna and bread (or pitas), pop tarts, alcohol (this is especially necessary if you have extended family around :), canned stews-- basically anything you can find at this point that doesn't require refrigeration. Also, don't forget batteries for flashlights and radios, candles and lighters, hand sanitizer, and a good camping water filter (in case you run out of bottled water).
beth1 at 12:36AM on 09/03/08
I would stock up on peanut butter, alcohol (if you drink), top ramens, spam, bread/pita, jelly, bottled water, dried fruits, I would go to REI or a camping/hunting/hiking store and get that freeze dried food in the light weight pouches and you add water, some of the stuff is pretty good. While your there get some of that stuff to purifiy water and other necessities.
pjracz10 at 2:07AM on 09/03/08
I have:
Canned Chicken*
Canned Turkey*
Canned Tuna
Crackers
Granola Bars
Nuts
Dried Fruit
Fruit Cocktail (as healthy as possible)
Bottled Water (as much as you can manage to get your hands on)
Shelf Stable Milk (Parmalat)
SPAM*
(LBNL, the best kept secret in hurricane preparedness!) Individual packets of mayonnaise!!! (Makes all that canned meat palatable.)
Make sure you:
Fill propane (for BBQ) - multiple tanks if possible
Gas up BEFORE the craziness starts
Get LOTS of ice - and a couple of those five-day coolers
* NONE of which I'd EVER buy under normal circumstances.
PS - I live in Clearwater and have this stuff at hand as soon as hurricane season starts.
therealchiffonade at 8:09AM on 09/03/08
we worry less about hurricanes here in the northern part of Ala. but, we do get ice storms that can knock power out for up to a week at a time. I always keep crackers, peanut butter, (stick with the brand name stuff that needs no referigeration) tinned meals are ok, but I usually go with just soups, I also keep dried foods on hand, fill up everything with water that you can, and if you have little ones, lots of bored games and dont forget to take those books you';ve been wanting to read out of the library. You will be in my thoughts! Good luck!
huneybumper at 8:42AM on 09/03/08
Get a small generator to keep your frig. and or freezer on line and get MREs....they've come along way and have everything you'll need and they're kept in waterproof pouches, also get the water in pouches I think they're 8oz to a pouch and 95 pouches to a case...all this can be bought online and stored in a cool closet until an emergancy occures..if your on a well a small generator should be able to power both the frig and pump and good luck and good camping!!
Markbb at 9:41AM on 09/03/08
@MadelynRodriguez yeah hurricanes/tropical storms that dump 2 feet of rain are just dandy you should try it sometime.....anyhooo I agree with Chiff you have to be ready and have the food items on hand BEFORE the storm frenzy starts. We buy some stuff no one will normally eat, but would sure be tasty in an emergency, and after hurricane season just donate it to a food bank. Don't under estimate the amount of water one needs each day, get more then you think you'll need.
finsbigfan at 12:41PM on 09/03/08
Check out this thread from last month for more tips:
http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2008/08/-hurricane.html
mepolo at 12:54PM on 09/03/08
don't forget the condoms too... I know I can't be the only one who was thinking that... am I? ;-\
although Hanna is a pretty name for a little girl. :)
Southern_bella at 6:38PM on 09/03/08
Food first, Southern_Bella.
And food after.
one needs one's carbs.
Nonny at 8:38PM on 09/03/08
I felt it was my duty to give the post-hurricane-baby PSA, I couldn't have slept tonight had I not.
:P
Southern_bella at 8:56PM on 09/03/08
Thank you all for your suggestions! I love to get other perspectives on how to deal with a potentially stressful situation. It looks like Hanna may be sparing us too much grief, although there's always Ike and Josephine to keep things exciting. I particularly like finsbigfan's suggestion of donating to a food bank at the end of hurricane season. I'm going to keep that one in mind.
I had a relative describe how her mother in law spruced up some Chef Boyardee ravoili with red wine during Hurricane Rita. I think I'd rather drink my wine than dump it in canned ravioli, but the thought of it makes me laugh!
(Thanks for the giggle, Southern_bella!)
jcwest47 at 8:58PM on 09/03/08
And mepolo, thanks for pointing out the other thread. My brain just wasn't working very well last night, and I missed that when searching the archives.
I like how beer features into so many people's plans. My fiance and I actually had a discussion about what booze from our collection would come with us if we evacuated. Some might accuse us of mixed-up priorities, but I knew whiskey would have to come with me if I had to leave my house in the face of a storm!
jcwest47 at 9:07PM on 09/03/08
@jcwest47 - you're welcome...I must admit...it was sheer laziness on my part....I didn't want to type again! lol
As I noted in that thread...we don't have hurricane issues up here, and rarely have to be concerned with evacuation...we have the reverse...I've been snowed in for a week at a time up here...either way...it does pay to have a good pantry....and yes...the right kind of booze! We once had a mayor, who has since passed, who advised his constituents to stay inside with a six pack!
If you ever get tired of hurricanes, the weather is beautiful in WNY right now. :-)
mepolo at 9:53PM on 09/03/08
@Markbb - have you had an MRE? Some of them aren't too bad....my husband brought a couple back from the desert. I liked the salsa chicken....but the turkey was like a white hockey puck...
I'm partial to the squeeze cheese w/jalapenos....just have to get used to the vitamin flavor....it's all fortified.
mepolo at 9:56PM on 09/03/08
@mepolo why yes I've had MREs when I was stationed in the desert and else where, I'm a army brat and remember C-rations and those are terrible also had them in the military too, the cans where marked 1942 in the 80s..
Markbb at 9:48AM on 09/04/08
Hope you're ok, jcwest!
nightowl at 4:00PM on 09/09/08