Every day I’m still amazed at how many things I have to think slightly differently about than the average home owner.
So, Florida recently was visited by Hurricane Dorian. Although my coast got lucky, and we barely had more wind and rain than any other day in rainy season, we still had to prepare for the worst, just in case. So, I stored 12 gallons of water on board the van, bought some non perishable food, and filled up the tank. Plus, I even filled up an extra container of gas as well. So, as far as basic preparations I was good for whatever.
The thing is, living in the van I have two choices when facing a category 4/5 hurricane; I can drive away or I can stay and hunker down.
Driving away, I would have to decide early on to do. Since I would hardly be the only one with this brilliant plan, I’d need to get out early or face the immense bumper to bumper traffic of everyone else also leaving SWFL. Then there are the gas shortages. I live in Fort Myers. So, I easily have at least 5 hours of driving north before I would cross into Georgia. With that much traffic, gas stations along the highway become overwhelmed and run out of gas quick. So, there’s always the chance I could end up stranded on the highway or some side road in some po-dunk town somewhere in northern Florida with no way to fuel up and a hurricane still looming behind me. This happened to a lot of people trying to escape Hurricane Irma in 2017. Even if I left in the middle of the night, I might see less traffic, but the gas situation would be no better. We are just too far south. Somewhere near Ocala I’d be running low, even with my extra container filled up. That wouldn’t get me much farther.
Choice two is to stay and hunker down. Perfectly fine if I have somewhere to park the van that is secure. I could have pulled it into my old warehouse, but I recently moved to a much smaller one. So, that’s out. I could park it in a parking garage, but that means I’d have no control or idea what would happen to the vehicle once I’m not around. Meaning, if I didn’t choose my spot wisely, I wouldn’t be nearby to move it to a better location. I could park it at wherever I’m hunkering down at, but that would leave it vulnerable to flying debris. If I have to have my vehicle repaired, then I suddenly will have to figure out what my couch surfing opportunities would be and what stuff do I leave behind, and what do I take with me, while repairs are being made. Good thing my friends love me, and I have plenty of places to go.
Either way, it was a conundrum. I can’t just board up my windows. I don’t know I wouldn’t find my van on it’s side, trashed by the time a storm of that magnitude passes. And running, I take my chances with gas shortages and finding myself completely exposed on the side of a road somewhere. All of it sounds crappy.
Then there’s also the cost of running. It’s early September right now. Peak of off season, and I’m so broke right now Ramen noodles are looking like they will become the staple in my diet soon. I don’t just have $300 for gas and road food lingering about. Especially, just to drive away and have to turn right around again. Money right out the window.
I guess the point is mute now. The hurricane didn’t happen here, this time, and I stayed too long to run anyway. BUT I will have to think about my plan a little better for the future. So, I don’t end up wondering what the hell to do next time.