National news showed some stores being cleared out of some things, I assume in South Florida. (they didn't specify) Local news in Tampa mentioned generators selling out at some stores. One store sold 5 in about 10 minutes. But the grocery stores I was at had everything. Water and ice was fully stocked in one I specifically looked at. I'll start making ice in a few days in trays I have if needed and start storing that. I have lots and lots of empty apple juice bottles for water if I need to fill them up. (and of course eventually I would fill up bathtubs if it this were to head my way)
I can't really use a generator. I'm about 8.5 feet above sea level. If I was more inland, a generator would be more useful. I already have plywood cut from 13 years ago (Charley preparation) for all my windows. Those are things that would go fast. So for those items, it might already be a bit late. (Especially generators.)
As soon as the governor declared a state of emergency, that made some people go into preparation mode. When that happens, things gets busy. After Harvey, resources are going to be stretched. If Irma were to make landfall in the U.S., FEMA dealing with two major disasters would be extraordinary and rather unprecedented I would think. It's best that when people make preparations, they need to assume that the government will not be in the best position to help and make sure to have extra supplies. (they should assume that anyway, but in this case, even more so) Or better yet, evacuate whether you have a mandatory or voluntary evacuation if you have the means to and have a safer place to go. If you aren't in a position to evacuate, inquire about options available to evacuate. (like buses) That's something you should know before a storm threatens.
But people should certainly gas up their cars now and at least review their hurricane plan. I am. I already have canned food. (and manual can opener) I'm reviewing other plans. Tomorrow or the next day I'll probably record video around my house, for insurance purposes, and make sure that is kept safe. Nothing to panic about, just getting ready just in case. I have a lot of windows so it would take time to put up the boards. I wanted to have some other things done in advance. If someone has prescriptions they need, make sure you have enough of that. In a few days I'll talk to an older neighbor about what their plans are. No need to worry them now, but I want to make sure they are prepared. They have a lot of health problems and I assume a lot of medication that they take. I don't know how well stocked there are.
It's not that Florida should be the only ones preparing, everyone in rest of Greater Antilles, Bahamas and along mainland U.S. coast, East and Gulf, should be reviewing their plan. Gas is one thing I strongly recommend doing now. That way some stations can get resupplied again for the people that truly wait until the last minute. It's very possible that a lot of people may be out on the roads evacuating, if it comes to that. With Harvey reducing the supply to some extent, I don't want people to run into problems finding some.
In the northern Leeward Islands and eastern Greater Antilles, I hope people are doing more than reviewing their plans. If officials tell you to evacuate, do so. This is a powerful storm and when officials call for an evacuation, make sure to do so.
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