Southeast - Sometimes living in Miami sucks.

Right now we got a tropical storm heading our way that may or may not become a hurricane. The worst part is that people on the streets start behaving like animals. You'd think gasoline was going out of style. And don't even try to go to a supermarket. Hopefully this wall all pass by quickly and I can get on my bike and pretend like nothing happened.

- a bit more laid back here on the gulf coast peninsula, but i know what you mean...

- i keep bottled water, some gas, a small 1kw genny, stove, candles, solar panels, small fan, tv/radio, and a few 20Ah gel cells on hand... (the genny is good for five days on five gallons of gas)...

- our problem is a diabetic cat with failing kidneys who needs special food and an insulin shot every 12 hours... so during hurricane season we stock up on 2 week's work of needles, insulin, and food for him... (me? i'm in good shape from bike riding and can eat anything)...

- the same thing you're complaining about would happen to us when we lived in N. Va. - all it took to create gas lines and wipe out all bread, milk, and toilet paper from the local grocery stores was a forecast for three inches of snow...

:-)

Well it looks like we will dodge the bullet this time. I just hope and pray that it just dies here and doesn't go anywhere else and cause havoc.

Non event. I'm glad people are taking the effort to stock up ahead of time. That way maybe I won't have to listen to them whining after the fact that they don't have any gas or water and the government let them down. Now if we could get the local news stations to recognize that the weather is not 100% of the news 100% of the time during the watches/warnings we would have something.

Although nothing happened it reminded me how I really need to get accordian shutters for my second floor. Everytime I have to put on my storm panels I have to find someone with a ladder and get them or someone else to help me out. I usually have my family help me out but I really hate bothering them. Maybe for next year I'll upgrade to accordians. Every year is getting more hurricane active.

I got accordian shutters all around after the 2004 season. My wife and I are very happy, it only takes about 15min to close everything up. We also decided on the back patio to get one large shutter that goes across the entire enclosure so I can just push all of my yard stuff under the overhang and close the whole thing up. Last get some clear panels installed say 2 panels in each side of the shutter, its cheaper than getting all clear and lets enough light in so you don't feel like your living in a cave. Their expensive but I travel on business and my wife can close them if I'm not around.

I don't live in the main hurricane zone...but I sure seem to work there (currently in SC and last year at this time I was in Mobile, AL:rolleyes: ) I always keep emergency supplies on hand. I probably have enough nonpershiables at home to go a month. What always cracks me up are the people trashing the milk and bread section. If the power goes out the milk is going to go bad:D When I travel this time of year there is a duffel bag in the back seat of my truck with my "survival" gear in it. I also never let my truck tanks get below half full. I have always believed that survival under any conditons are personal responsibility. I don't expect the government to bail me out of any situation...and I probably wouldn't want them too. What I couldn't figure was after Hurricane Wilma hit midstate FL last year was the number of people lined up and whining about slow government response. They knew for 5 days that the hurricane was coming WHY did they not prepare?

Aaron:)

Last get some clear panels installed say 2 panels in each side of the shutter,
Never seen those before. Sounds like an excellent idea. Thank you.

They showed them on cable-tap not too expensive, looks good for letting in some light but scary for storm watching

A co-worker of mine actually saw a truck with a whole bunch of them apparently heading for an installation. The only knock I've heard about them is that they can't stay in the sun too long because they start becoming brittle and crack. They are plastic after all. But having some light come in is great.

http://www.nucodeshutters.com/images/lexan/lexan2.jpg

What was recommended is install as normal shutters and just use a couple of panels to let light in.

http://www.transparentprotection.com/images/ProductBrown.jpg


Will not shatter, rust, or corrode
Ultra light-weight, compared to steel panels
Highly dent-resistant, compared to aluminum panels
Made from super tough polycarbonate resin. No sharp edges
Completely transparent, allows light inside & vision outside
Meets or exceeds ICC, TDI, FBC, Dade, and new ASTM req.
UV inhibitors protect home furnishings. Security when left up
Standard widths allow for compatibility with metal panels
Easy for handling, stacking, and allows for metal upgrades
TEN YEAR warranty against breakage and yellowing

Actually what I have is a little different. The ones you are talking about are similar to the steel panels but in plastic. I would certainly think these are better than the steel ones. The ones I have are actually a part of the accordian shutter, see below. You can get all of the slats as clear but it is expensive. We just decided to get 4 per window and leave the rest opaque

Nice I like those, When I lived in Miami I used to install shutters on a part time basis I had heard of those but never seen them.

May I ask how much more expensive for the see through?

You know I don't remember the exact difference in price it was $/panel. I know that doing all clear was too expensive. If it was $10/panel then the diffence for a single window for 20 panels would be something like $200/window and probably add $2,600 to the total price while just doing 4 only added $40/window and since we didn't do the bedrooms the increase was probably less than $500. I am just guesing on the price though and since we got ours two years ago it probably has gone up anyway.

This year I am working on a new roof. The price went up 100% from two years ago to $40,000. Between repairs and insurance this hurricane stuff is killing me.

Yeah the hurricanes is what drove flyingscotsman to Charlotte. That and the fact that he didn't want to ride the MS 150 after getting me to sign up for it. :D

Yeah the hurricanes is what drove flyingscotsman to Charlotte. That and the fact that he didn't want to ride the MS 150 after getting me to sign up for it. :D

HAHA!!!

The fact that 250,000 house is actually a 700 square foot condo had nothing to do with it.

Too busy doing damn hurricane shutters instead of riding, looking at the MS150 breakaway to the beach for next year!!!

I'm already excited about next years MS 150. They sent me an email that early bird registration begins this month. I keep checking the website but it's not up to date yet. They still show the 2006 MS 150. So I just check daily.