Hanna Heading Towards Virginia Beach

Tropical Storm Hanna is heading our way.

Of course there are many recommended ways to prepare for a hurricane. Having lived in Virginia Beach for ten years and suffering through Hurricanes Bonnie in 1998 and Isabelle in 2003, here is my list of things to do before the storm strikes:

1. Buy beer and ice. If the power goes out, which it ultimately will, you won't care so much with a nice buzz.
2. Buy gas. If power is still out after several days, you will need gas for your vehicle to get out of town or to fill the generator to keep the fridge running and thus beer cold.
3. Have friends gather together to suffer in the heat together. After a hurricane, the heat and humidity is dire and with no A/C, it's terrible. Having friends around (who bring their own cold beer) is a good distraction.
4. Be prepared to eat whatever is defrosting first. One year, we grilled pork, steaks, hamburger, chicken and sausages and then made a great gumbo with the leftovers.
5. Have batteries for your flashlight. You never realize how fast it gets dark until you're trying to read a book by candlelight at 7:45 p.m. It's always an easy way to realize that it's not ten steps from the bed to the bathroom but nine. Bam, the doorframe hurts when you hit it in the dark.
6. Utilize the car charger for your cell phone. This is time when I celebrate the fact that I downloaded spider solitaire on my blackberry so if push comes to shove, I can at least play a game while I hold my beer and sweat in the heat.
7. Try to remember that no matter how bad it seems at your house, some sucker had their house blown away or flooded. It's just not that bad, really.