FEMA For Kids

With all the hurricanes and flooding going on, it made me think about FEMA. FEMA has a website for kids to learn all about preparing and trying to avoid disasters. Plus how to help in a disaster. They even have games. It is all free, and your little ones will learn to be prepared. Of course it is hard to prepare for no power, no home, no toilet or shower.

Things are improving, so of course there has to be a system in the Gulf knocking right on my door. Ugh I am tired of all this already. Then that Katia down there in the Atlantic that was supposed to make a big right turn and miss the US, doesn't look like it might do that after all. Keep your eyes to the sky the ride might get a little bumpier.

Here in FL the storm in the Gulf will probably get to TS strength, but like Irene is going to be a massive rain maker. While a lot of the south is in a drought, and will welcome this rain, it is like almost a week worth of rain because it is just sitting there barely moving. We have not seen any rain yet, but the panhandle of FL has been getting nailed all day so far. Should make for a great Labor Day weekend. Anyone else notice that the last week of August and first week of September are not good weeks to plan a vacation in the South? It seems like every year there is some kind of tropical disturbance those two weeks to ruin your plans. Stay safe everyone.

Keep Your Eyes To The Sky!

Yesterday afternoon a tropical low formed, near South Florida. Today it is off the coast of Tampa, and trying to get stronger. There are tropical storm warnings up for the panhandle of Florida. It is August, and the tropics are heating up. Of course they are public schools start tomorrow, DJ's evaluation is Thursday, and it could prove to be an interesting week. There is Ana, and Bill, both TS's spinning in the Atlantic, that should start to near Florida, by this weekend.

This brings me to the point of hurricane preparedness. We are always basically prepared, because that is what I do LOL. My biggest dilemma this year, will be our pets. My dog gets very scared, and squirelly, and getting him into a car is always a trick. Should we have to evacuate it will be a wrestling match. Then we have these two kitties, who were basically abandoned, and we have been caring for them. The original two, we found a home for, then appeared this other one out of the blue. It was obvious to me it was just dropped off, because it acted like a house cat, not a stray. It was very clean, friendly, and sociable. So it has adopted us, and the one remaining kitty, and they have become good friends, to my kids, and each other. I could not imagine leaving them behind. They count on us for love, and food, and they stay on our covered porch which keeps them safe from the elements. I am going to get a hold of my mom today, one to make sure she is watching the updates, and two to see if she possibly has a pet carrier I can borrow, or a small cage. I am imagining it would be very difficult to get these two to cooperate enough to get in the carrier, then into the car. They are still small enough for me to deal with, without getting too scratched, or bitten. Since they trust me, I am hoping it won't be too bad. Of course I would never put my children, or myself in danger, but if I plan enough in advance, I hope it will go smoothly, and I will not have to leave them behind. Of course the best option, is that we don't ever have to evacuate, though I may still have to put them in the carrier, and bring them to safer shelter, such as inside the garage, for their own safety. If you do not have an emergency plan, now is the time to get one! This video will help, and don't forget about your pets.

Wow Nasty Storms, Flooding, Satellites

I have been awake since 3:30 AM dealing with nasty rain, thunder, lightning, and wind. My husband, and kids pretty much slept through it, but my loving dog needed to sit on my lap, for six hours. I finally could just get back online, the wind kept knocking out the power. We have been in tornado watches, since last night. They finally ended for us, but it just came over the weather radio that one was spotted just south of here, in Pasco, and Lake county. We really did not need the 4 or 5 inches of rain, we got over night. All the local springs, Manatee, Hart, and Fanning are all flooding, as well as the Santa Fe, and Suwannee Rivers. They are not expected to crest until sometime Saturday. While we are not immediately close to any of these bodies of water, we do know people who are. It is a stressful kind of time.

Today for science we are covering Satellites. I came across this very cool website, that is free, and awesome. Check it out for all your space learning needs. Go here to check it out.

Lesson Plans for 4/15/09:

Social Studies: Cultures- Chinese New Year
Writing: Write a story about respecting others
Math: Subtract 4 digit numbers, multiplication, division
Language Arts: review skills, possessive pronouns
Spelling: Lesson 27- write each spelling word two times each, and circle the vowels
Vocabulary: Lesson 27- use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

Hurricane Preparedness: A Lesson We Always Have To Know

Here in Florida, we are watching Tropical Storm Fay. Why it is still unorganized, it has not weakened, and has its eyes set on Florida. This is a good time to get out Hurricane ready kit, up to snuff and ready to go, should we need it. Public School does Fire Safety, we do that too, but we also do Hurrican readiness. Usually the first few weeks of school, we concentrate on what we would do in a hurricane. This year it is early, because we are on the watch. I make sure we have an emergency bag packed, should we have to evacuate. It would include, but not limited to,first aide kit, bottled water, non parishable food, at least one set of dry clothes for each person, extra cash, credit cards though they may not work if power goes out cash is better, any medication you or your family may need, charged cell phone, we also have walkie talkies that we keep charged, battery operated weather radio ours is also wind up should the batteries die, flashlights with fresh batteries, any important documents in a sealed bag to prevent from getting wet. A portable DVD player, with charger, and some videos, favorite toys. Toys are not a priority, but if you already have them packed, then at least the kids will be occupied should they have to evacuate to another area. A full tank of gas, should you have to go inland. If you have a generator, make sure it is in good working order, if you dont consider getting one. Outside be sure to tie down anything that can blow around, and cause damage. Bring in lawn furniture, and kids toys. Know which way you will go, should you have to leave. We are about an hour, from the coastline, so the biggest threat to us, in a hurricane, is gusty winds, very heavy rain, and the tornadoes that spin off the hurricane. Have a safe place in your home, should a tornadoe strike. An interior hallway, that has no outside walls, or closet, that is not on an outside wall. Make sure everyone knows where they are to go, and to get there when they are told to, without asking questions. Dont forget about your pets. Be sure to take food, and whatever else they may need. Shelters will not let you bring pets, so plan ahead what you will do. This will be our task, the next 24-48 hrs, watching and preparing for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Fay. This is never a fun task, and can be very scary, but being prepared takes off some of the stress.