It's only a Tropical Storm...so was Hilary....

I had hoped to launch this new blog with a big review of flashlights and why they matter for emergencies and everyday use. That will be the first of three articles once I get back to it.

With a tropical storm arriving tomorrow evening and flood warnings already issued today, this felt like the right time to get some emergency preparedness basics together instead.

Bermuda Dunes, CA Severe Weather Alert | Weather Underground

This evening I heard people saying they had plenty of candles. That's an option, even as a last-ditch resort, but to me a flashlight is the most essential basic for any storm that can knock out power.

Why? If the wind and rain are coming down and you have to go outside to check on something during an outage, that candle will not stay lit. Just a thought.

Lighting

A flashlight lets you see the damage and decide what to do right away if a large branch or other flying object hits your house, windows or anything else on your property.

Go with a higher-powered, waterproof light from a reputable brand. The dollar store light might work indoors, but it won't last in the rain.

I normally use Olight, Fenix, Streamlight, Maglite and SureFire, but finding those brands tomorrow will be next to impossible. Unless there's no other choice, stay away from unknown brands with weird names. Cheaply made lights can overheat and burn you and your clothing.

Where to look Saturday:

• Yellow Mart, Indio (82740 Miles Ave) carries better lights, and a visit can be rewarding. I bought my Fenix duty light there in 2019. It's still a darn good light, easy to use, with two rechargeable batteries.
• Costco has these in the warehouse. Parking before the storm will be a tactical maneuver, but you can grab food and water while you're there and get home. Duracell 1600 Lumen Hybrid Power LED Flashlight, 3-pack
• Sam's Club has a set in stock that's probably as good as the Duracells. Member's Mark 3-Piece 1700 Lumen Dual Power LED Flashlight Set
• Home Depot and Lowe's carry flashlights too. With this little time, get more than one of whatever you can. Waterproof flashlights in stock near you at Home Depot
• Walmart has lights as well. The brands I'd look at there are Swiss Tech and Coast.
• Amazon has the higher-end models, but none are available for same-day or next-day delivery. High-lumen rechargeable waterproof flashlights on Amazon

It's already Friday night, so you may be heading out for supplies tonight or early Saturday. Expect everyone else to be doing the same.

Water

Even if we don't lose power, flooding and other damage can contaminate drinking water. In the 22 years I've lived here that hasn't happened, but CERT training says to prepare for the worst case. And guess what: we need water.

Plan on three gallons of water per person per day, plus another gallon for pets. They have to be watered and fed too.

Food and pantry

I always keep dry crackers, nut butters and other quick items on hand so I don't have to keep opening the fridge during an outage. A few bags of your favorite nuts, like macadamias, pecans, cashews and pistachios, can hold off that dreaded feeling when the power's been out a long time and the stress is building.

The easiest one if you have kids: Pop-Tarts. I keep a box of plain unfrosted ones in the pantry. I doubt I'll ever need them, but just in case, they're quick energy and food.

Power banks

Another major item people seem to overlook: a good backup battery with at least 20,000 mAh.

I have a couple for charging phones, and I've already charged nearly every light in the house. If you don't have one yet, add it to your list. You'll need it if we lose power and you have to get a call out.

There are smaller ones that attach magnetically to the back of your phone. But if you have more than one person with a phone, or lights to charge, a larger-capacity battery makes more sense. Get the biggest one you can afford.

• Walmart has a few options. Pocket Juice Slim Pro 20,000 mAh Power Bank
• Home Depot has them, but inventory is low at the La Quinta store right now. Tzumi Pocket Juice 10,000 mAh (smaller, but better than nothing)
• Costco is a tough one. Some clubs may not have any in stock.
• Best Buy is always an option if you can find one online, pay for it and pick it up the same day.

Tarps and duct tape

I keep a few tarps around in case something hits a window. A tarp and duct tape can make a real difference. The thicker ones are more durable and won't tear as fast. If you're out tomorrow, grab a couple just in case.

Driving: if you can't see the road, turn around

This topic is a delicate one.

On the way back from Lake Havasu as Hilary hit, I was in my Camry with lightning striking all around me as I drove down the 95 to the 62 to the 177. Lots of vehicles were already disabled on the side of the road because the washes flooded fast.

Drivers were hitting flooded washes at the speed limit (65) and wiping out. Others flooded their engines: depending on where a vehicle's air intake sits, it can pull in water, and that's the end of the engine. I went through slowly and made sure I never went fast enough to push water over the engine compartment.

Two days later, I took the Jeep out to get someone who was stuck north of Cook St. Another driver with a bigger SUV and a better emergency setup winched him out, and I followed him back through some of the worst water crossings I've ever faced in a vehicle, then turned around and came home.

At one crossing in Thousand Palms, a woman with a child in her car, a Toyota Yaris no less, was thinking about crossing a fast-moving wash. The water was already 1 to 2 feet deep. The SUV ahead of her had already turned around, and I had to warn her to turn around and go home. Thank God she listened. Her car would have been swept away with her and the child in it. I have video from that day as well.

I've done water crossings out here in an FJ Cruiser with water over the hood, and I know what I can handle in any vehicle. Most drivers don't, and that's OK.

If you're not sure how deep a water crossing is, DO NOT ENTER IT. Fast-moving water can easily wash a car downstream with the people inside.

Your Saturday-morning list

• At least one good waterproof flashlight per person
• Water: three gallons per person per day, plus one per pet
• No-cook food: crackers, nut butters, nuts, Pop-Tarts
• Pet food
• A power bank, 20,000 mAh or bigger, charged tonight along with phones and lights
• A couple of heavy tarps and a roll of duct tape
• Prescriptions refilled
• Gas in the car, and some cash in case card readers are down

Be safe. Be prepared. Be good.

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