Sushi & Hurricane Issac - Advice?

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Sushi (GA 5/05-3/14)

Sushi (GA 5/05-3/14)

Member Since 2011
In addition to last night's scare with Sushi being in the 40's for a little over 2 hours, it looks like Hurricane Issac is headed straight for us. The last hurricane that hit us was Hurricane Gustav in 2008, before Sushi was diagnosed. I'm trying to decide my best course of action. Worse/likely case scenario is that we will be without power for a week. I don't think it would be wise for me to stay at my apartment by myself, so I am likely going to stay with a family friend. They will have a full house + 2 dogs, and are not crazy about the idea of having cats around. So, here are the options I'm considering:
- Staying at my apartment by myself, just for the cats' sake: Unsafe f& unwise or me, but okay for the kitties because they'll be in their own environment and have me around. But we won't have power, and it will be very very hot. I'm not sure how I'll be able to keep Sushi's insulin cold, but I'm sure I'll figure out a way.
- Bring them with me to my friend's: They will have to stay in a bathroom or laundry room for days. Or a screened in porch, though they're both inside-only cats. The family I'll be staying with will NOT be happy about having my cats there. But they have a generator, able to keep Sushi's insulin cold and be there to test him and give him injections.
- Board him: The vet I would use has generators, so he won't be hot. But he will be out of his environment and I won't be around (which will kill me!). The vet is staffed 24/7; they will do pre-shot tests and give him his injections twice a day.
Any thoughts?

...basically I'm asking:
Is it better for Sushi to be hot, but in his own environment?
Is it better that I'm with him?
Or is it more important that he's in comfortable surroundings, though away from me and "his" apartment?

Thank you!!!
 
As someone who has lived on a barrier island off the coast of SC for a while, and has had to worry about Hurricanes since my first one in 1979 which actually passed right over my head (David), I can definitely relate to your situation.

Assuming the storm doesn't waver from the forecast track, which side of the storm would you be on when it makes landfall?

This is the latest data:
THIS WOULD SUPPORT A NORTHWESTWARD TO WEST-NORTHWESTWARD
MOTION UNTIL LANDFALL IN ABOUT 36-48 HOURS...AND THIS MOTION IS
SUPPORTED BY THE NHC MODEL CONSENSUS. AFTER 48 HOURS...HOWEVER...
THE MODEL GUIDANCE IS WIDELY DIVERGENT WITH A SPREAD OF MORE THAN
500 N MI BETWEEN THE GFS ON THE LEFT AND THE ECMWF ON THE RIGHT.
THE FORECAST TRACK AT DAYS 3-5 IS ALSO SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS
ADVISORY AND LIES CLOSE TO THE MODEL CONSENSUS...BUT THIS IS A LOW
CONFIDENCE FORECAST AT THOSE TIME PERIODS.

In other words, they have no idea exactly where it is going, which makes you really comfortable I'm sure. nailbite_smile

It also looks like 90mph winds at landfall, thank goodness it's that low.

I would expect power outages for sure, although maybe not for a whole week. If it were heading for my location, I would most likely stay where I am, but that is due to what I do for a living. I stay here until the Governor says "get out". Everyone who doesn't work and live here would be evacuated on a mandatory basis most likely.

Given your 3 options -
I wouldn't stay put and face days without electricity, phones, internet, etc.
I might consider boarding him, but what happens if the vet has to bug out?

I would probably take him with me, where he will have you with him, even though the environment is unfamiliar and stressful. And I would hope that the time frame you have to be gone is not a long one.

Be safe, and use this site for your info rather than a local news site. In the 30+ years I've been dodging Hurricanes, I have found it to be the most informative and understandable forecast site, and it is free from the sensationalizing that seems to be all over the local station reports whenever a storm has the slightest chance of hitting your specific location.
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/tropical.html

Carl
 
Being from Houston and through a couple of Hurricanes I think the most important piece of all of this is safety.....for the kitties and for you.


I personally would plan for either at your friend's or the vet for safety reasons. If the hurricane is a "non-event" for your area, you can then go home if you decide to do so. Or stay at home if the hurricane goes in a different direction.

Being in an unfamiliar enviroment will be stressful for Sushi. That's a given. Would you be staying at your friends w/Sushi as well? Having you around might help reduce some of the stress there. Just a thought...even though your friend has a generator it might only be used for essential needs. Air conditioning might not be essential (although I think it is). It can get awfully toasty in an enclosed bathroom/laundry room very quickly. So I would ask both places about the air conditioner piece of this. I would definitely go w/the place with the a/c. Especially at this time of the year.

Or if you can't be there at your friend's, the vet is a good option. They will be prepared and able to care for Sushi.

I hope Issac doesn't come your way.

Thoughts and prayers sent your way.
 
Carl made an number good points.

Both of us are emphasizing safety first.

You might want to ask your vet what happens if they need to evacuate the place.

Just a thought.
 
Hi,
I grew up down in Hurricane alley, south Tx, Houston area, and my husband is from Louisiana.
I wouldn't start panicking yet.
I would make plans and be watchful in case I had to move but I personally would be staying put.
As Carl said, the winds aren't ridiculous (yet) and when it hits land, that will decrease.
I have family that actually sat thru Katrina in New Orleans. They were on a higher side of town and it didn't flood in their area ( how very lucky) but they did lose power and they never left thru the entire event.
They were that well prepared.

I would want to minimize all the upset to my whole household as much as possible.
I've been thru 2 fires in the last decade too and mandatory evacuations for our little town.
It is rough.

Because of the couple of times where things have become disastrous, the news media really hypes up
the scariness of hurricanes. My husband is part of emergency responders and they would rather get everyone
out at the slightest threat because they don't like the backlash when they are wrong. (i.e. Katrina)

So I would be making preparations. I would be begging friends and family to give me a bedroom to myself that I could keep closed off
for me and my pets if I have to show up. Really good friends will do that for you even if they absolutely hate
cats. It's an emergency. Even if they were allergic , they could take pills temporarily.
I would also be stocking up on supplies for my pets. They even make coolers that plug in to your car so you can keep the insulin cold while relocating.

Could you go hole up in a cheap hotel in another town? You just sit there and lock the door and put up the do
not disturb sign to keep maids out. That shouldn't cost much more than boarding them at a vet who might also
have to re-locate.

But the one thing I wouldn't do is leave them behind.

Here in my town during fire season, I've got my stack of important belongings ready to go just in case
but my pets are the first in the carriers and in the car.
 
Lantus can survive out of the refrigerator. If there's a way to keep your stock of pens refrigerated, that's fine. If you need to keep one pen unrefrigerated, it should be fine but you would probably need to consider discarding it sooner rather than later.

Personally, I would want my cats with me. In an emergency situation, especially with Katerina and there having been so many homeless animals, I'd vote for keeping Sushi with you.
 
also, in that watching where it is.
I'd move out of the way before the last minute to avoid the mob as much as possible.



I never understand the people who leave their dog tied to the doghouse or the porch and run off and leave.
I just couldn't live with myself.
I gave huge charitable contributions for pet assistance during Katrina because it was so horrific to watch
rescuers refuse to take the pets.
 
also, in that watching where it is.
I'd move out of the way before the last minute to avoid the mob as much as possible.
Click to expand...

Excellent point! I've only actually evacuated once, and I waited too long. I ended up having to drive to Asheville, NC to find a hotel that was pet friendly (although since then, many more hotels have adopted that practice in an emergency situation). A drive that normally takes 5 hours took me 13 hours with three unhappy cats in the car. Worst trip ever.

Carl
 
Hi all!
I'm checking/posting from my phone, as I'm not allowed to use my work computer for personal reasons. I'll post more this evening, but wanted to clarify that the family I'll be staying with is in town, right around the corner from my apartment and about 10 miles from the vet where I'll board Sushi.

I'm not evacuating; this hurricane isn't big enough to warrant an evacuation. But it will hit us directly. How hard, it's too early to say! Gustav was similar to this storm and we were without power for a week. So that's what I'm planning for; planning for the worst & hoping for the best!

The vet I would use to board Sushi advertises as a vet to use during natural disasters; with back up generators, etc. so I do feel confident that it's a viable option; I'm just concerned about the stress it will cause Sushi, plus it will be very hard for me to be away from him!

Thanks for all your responses! I'll keep you posted.

: )
 
When things happen, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, fires, bombings, etc (I'm in NYC area so we talk about bombings here) - my point is - we always think that it if we leave food and water out for our pet and leave them in the home, they will be fine for a few days.

The problem is a few days could become weeks very easily and not being allowed - back into the area. And then the pets are stranded and we're frantic.

If you feel that you need to evacuate, I suggest you take your pets with you. Having them stressed in a a carrier, car or other place is a lot better than not knowing the status of your home and them being locked in there alone.

Plus with you there, the stress level will be less for both of you.

Do you have ice packs? If not, start making ice cubes now, so you have a cold way to transport your insulin, until you get where you need to be - plus if it's really hot - you can cool yourself and the animals down with the ice cubes/packs. And in that thought - wet some towels/washcloths and freeze them - this way you can grab and go and have cool towels.
 
Good points Hillary!

About ice--that's the thing with hurricanes; without power in 85-100 degree weather, ice only lasts about a day before its all melted. I have to think & prepare beyond ice...
 
Last hurricane that made it all the way here was Ike a few years back, mostly high winds with no warning so no evacuation however we were without power for 4 days. Loss of refrigeration turned out to be the worst aspect of it for us. This year so far tornados have not come too close, we have only had a couple extended power outages from windstorms, and first thought was the insulin. Lantus can be kept at room temperature though it spoils faster. It should not get too warm and definitely dont allow it to freeze. Now we keep ice and gel packs in the freezer so they are already cold if we need them. The local weather drama queens are saying Isaac wil come up here later this week, we shall see. We would not leave our cats, all go or all stay and ride out what nature throws at us. What ever you decide is your plan A, plan B, plan C, good luck and be safe.
 
Even if you will be just around the corner, if an evacuation is called you may not be able to get back to Sushi in time. I think it would be best to stay together, but store your extra insulin at your friend's house.

These Frio Insulin Coolers work really well and need no electricity. They cool by evaporation. If your local pharmacy doesn't have them I think it is basically the same gel material as the neck wraps that athletes and outdoor workers use to cool down. You could make a pocket to hold the insulin from one of them.

As for the ice, the less you open a cooler the better it works. When we go out to the desert I'll divide up the things that need to be cold into smaller coolers. Those for the latter part of the trip don't get opened until it is time to use them. They stay much colder. Also have them as fully packed as possible, the less air space the less room for hot air to get in when you do open them. Same goes for the refrigerator. Don't open the door to check on things, it will only make them spoil faster.
 
Start looking around now for a big chunk of dry ice, it will keep your cooler cold for a couple of days at least, maybe longer depending
on how good your cooler is. You can keep it stored in your freezer until you lose electricity and there it is for emergency backup.
They sell it at my local kroger's.

If I were going to have to leave my pets with a vet, I''d insist on being a volunteer there and want a cot (or some bedding) so I could stay there all night
and take care of my own and others too.
 
Dry ice is a great idea.

The latest update says 100mph winds by landfall. The worst part I read was that once it hits land, it's only moving 5mph forward, so the big concern now is flooding.

I know it's hundreds of miles from me, but the edges of it raised the tides a lot today here. I went out to the beach two hours before high tide, and there was no beach:



The sand fence marks the edge of our campground. The tide is within 6 feet of the fence two hours before high tide. I wouldn't want to be in those RVs tonight.

Can't tell from the picture, but it was pretty windy, and these pelicans were flying sideways rather than moving foward:


Carl
 

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Please be careful with ice and/or dry ice. You don't want to freeze your insulin. Packing the insulin well with bubble wrap or wrapped in a towel may help.

I keep having those images of the number of cats and dogs that were homeless after Katerina. Keep Sushi close. And both of you need to stay safe.
 
Hi Ashley (I assume your name is Ashley because it's in your signature :smile: ) -

You've received a ton of great advice. I've lived in Florida, all my life. Grew up in the Panhandle (Pensacola - family is still there) and now living on the Atlantic Coast (Cocoa Beach/Space Coast area). Hurricanes = no fun! But at least you're thinking about your options.

1. Have you talked to your friends around the corner and asked them where your cats would stay? Bathroom? Laundry room? Guest room with you?
2. If you stayed in your apartment but lost power, would you be able to relocate to their house? (I would hope that they are faster at restoring power than they were in 2008 - with the cat 1/possible cat 2 storm T.S. Isaac). My family and I have ridden out many a storm in our house on Pensacola Bay...electricity or not. No, not always pleasant, but w/ enough prep...you should be ok. What floor are you on?
3. If you board cat(s) at vet, will they be staffed "enough" to meet the demands of needy kitties, such as sweet Sushi? e.g. insulin injections, special food needs, etc.?

Just a few things to think about. My county was under a tornado watch all day w/ high wind gusts, rough/choppy seas, pelting rain & lightning. All I could think about while at work was my cat (not even my horse...outside in this crud!) :lol: Our cats are very defenseless. If something happens to the roof over their head, they are in serious trouble. I'm certain that is what your brain is trying to figure out. Best wishes on making through the storm unscathed. I'd make a joke about you and Sushi surfing the blue waves together...but I'll wait until after you guys have sailed through the storm, safe and sound!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok, I couldn't help myself! Be safe and keep in touch with all of us so we know you're ok!

~Deborah & Tropical Storm Isaac Survivor, Shasta ;-)
 
other question?

I only know of one area of Houston that floods consistently. I have lots of family there and spent lots of time there or driving thru.
Do you live in it or have to drive thru it? Bellaire?
 
We are in Franklinton (Clifton actually), a couple of hours east of you, and also directly in the projected path of Issac here in Washington Parish as well. My plan is to not evacuate (unless we have to evac to the 2nd story of the house, which we are fully prepared to do) and to stick it out. I will be here alone with all my critters. Two kitties who live here now are Hurricane Katrina refugees, a mother and daughter, the young one spent the 1st year and a half of her life in a cage until she got here. She is still pretty feral but at least has a furever home here now where she can be free.

Anyway we expect, as do you, lots of wind and rain and flooding and to be w/out power for up to a week (it was 3 weeks after Katrina). My plan for keeping the insulin cold is to put it in a styrofoam box (like the kind people get their medications shipped to them in), wrapped in bubble wrap or a towel, and then put the styrofoam box into a cooler filled with ice or ice packs. The styrofoam box you can probably get for free from a local hospital, one of ours throws them out (I had a friend who used to bring them to me & I sold them in my store when I had it for $2-$5/each!)

Another thought is that rather than boarding Sushi perhaps you could just board the insulin? If the vet has a generator & can therefore keep the medicine refrigerated, you might be able to just keep the insulin there. It would be inconvenient I know to have to go there to get the insulin for each shot, and then take it back afterwards, but at least you'd have your kitty with you, and the two of you could weather the storm together.

Be safe. Check in when you can.

Desi, Tink, Tawny, et al.
 
Wow!! Thank you all so much for the thoughts, well wishes & advice!

It's about T minus 24 hours until Issac hits and I'm in full prep mode: laundry, packing, cooking all the food in my refrigerator, etc. After the family I'll be staying with flat told me this afternoon that I cannot bring my cats with me to their house, I've decided to board Sushi. It's not ideal by any means, but I think it's the best option of the limited choices I do have. It will kill me to be away from him, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice if it means he'll be provided for in ways I can't provide for him on my own. He won't be left stranded roaming the streets or anything; that much I'm sure of!
But my heart is already breaking. I can barely look at him! :cry:

Some responses:
I use a vial of Lantus because it is more economical for us with our 3+u dose. I don't want to risk ruining the entire vial by leaving it unrefrigerated.

It's kind of past the point of being able to find supplies. I tried getting ice on my lunch break and wasn't successful.

I'm not evacuating. My area hasn't been ordered to evacuate, so I'm staying put. I would consider it too late to order an evacuation at this point.

Rhiannon - I live in Louisiana, not Texas. So I won't be near Bellaire.

Deborah - ;-) I live in an apartment on the 2nd floor. It will be VERY hot without power. Being a young single female, I do not think it is safe for me to stay home and ride the storm out by myself, and then be stuck here for days without power. It would just leave me too vulnerable. Same thing with travelling to another city and staying in a hotel room by myself. Just not safe.
I'll actually be boarding Sushi at a 24 hour animal hospital, and yes they are capable and ready to take care of my needy kitty! (and I'll be paying for it! $)
I would like to say I'd be able to get from the house I'll be staying at to my apartment easily and frequently, but that's not how things go with a hurricane. There's usually about 12+ hours of bad weather, and then roads are blocked with debris, downed trees & power lines for a few days. So you never know when you'll be able to get around town again. This situation would be a lot easier if that weren't the case.

Thank you all! I'll do my best to check in often. : )
 
sorry.
don't know how or why I transposed Houston into it. I think never sleeping is making me crazy. ohmygod_smile

My mother in law is in Crowley and her brother in baton rouge.
I hope it all turns out to be a non event for you.
We will all be waiting to hear from you when you are able.
 
Hi,

I would keep Sushi with me as well. No one, including the vet or his assistants is going to take care of Sushi like you would! If your friend lives so close to where you live then your friend will flood also if you do. Personal generators are usually only able to power a refrigerator, stove, a few lights, maybe a window ac or fans. It will not have enough juice usually to do all that and keep a house cool even if you don't flood. But it seems that if it's that close to where you live, other than having some power, it will be no safer. If that's the case you are better off staying with Sushi and caring for him! He is totally dependent on you.

The vet will go home and his techs will be left there. If it gets really bad, they may leave. I would not trust anyone with my cat. You said they're also in the same area so they may sustain damage & have to evacuate. There are a lot of ifs and maybes.

I'm from So. Fl. and have been thru many hurricanes. It's no fun to be without power but you can handle it if you are prepared. At least you would know he is safe and if you had to leave you could take him. If you are scared to stay, I would really either plead with your friend or stay at a motel in high ground.

Just my two cents but whatever you decide to do, I hope you are both safe.

Melanie & Racci
 
I'm with Melanie.

high $ for a vet rather than finding a hotel.
I'm old now but I used to run all over when I was 18. stayed in plenty of hotels by myself. I went overseas for fun by myself.
Always ask to get the room next to the office and you'd feel safer. Tell them you need the handicapped room.

I'm 48 now and still would go stay in one by myself. If you are a town or two over, you can avoid the power outages hopefully.

Plus all my friends know, Love me, Love my pets.

The town of Crowley has many hotels and they rarely get power outages from Hurricanes. My mother in law stays in her house,
can't drive to town because there might be some water but they are just far enough North to weather it out pretty well.
 
Living on a barrier island I HAVE FACED MANY HURRICANES--lAST YEAR WE DID EVACUATE WITH mOONIE TO cONN to my bro's empty condo with Moonie--Insulin was put into a cooler in a plastic bag, wrapped with paper towel inside the bag & ice. It was fine & lasted for the 3 1/2 days we were there--Got there in evening, Lights went out the next day & we were without electric for 3 days, but survived--
Had food & had some delivered TO the house, Moonie had all she needed but cried most of the 3 days to go home by the front door, and wouldnt let me out of her sight--I was so glad we stayed with her, her first time ever being away from home!!! She was scared, but was OK because we were there--I wouldnt leave my cat, she would be more terrified than ever.. we kept the windows open when we could & had a battery fan with us..
We survived & all was well--
Nothing happened to our town other than Ocean came up to a few streets & flooded, but our electric stayed on--Praying for your safety--Hugs & Love from us--BE safe!!
 
I too, would rather go to a hotel with my cats, then leave them at a vet where they will be scared the whole time.
Some cats will go lower in BGs when stressed, so I would also be worried if Sushi wasn't tested at the vets as well as you can. To me, the peace of mind of being with my cats in a hotel would be well worth it.

I hope you and Shushi and your other cats stay safe and sound.
 
If you board him at the vet's - better to do that and know he is safe and being looked after. And don't fret - he will settle into his temporary "house" and sleep. They all do at some point. It's much safer than leaving him alone anyway.

Do you have other family or friends you and Sushi could go to? As your friend will only put you up and not Sushi?
 
Ashley,
Thoughts and prayers for you today, and hope everything is okay. Please update us as you can.

Hugs,
Carl
 
Hi all!
Just wanted to hop on and update before we lose power. I'm suprised and thankful we haven't yet! I wasn't expecting it to last this long. The storm is really starting to kick; it should go any time.

I dropped Sushi off at the vet yesterday around 5pm. Yes, I cried. :sad: But I know that I know that I know I did the right thing. I can't wait to get back to him! But I know he's safe and in good hands.

If you're bored, check out the coverage on The Weather Channel. Pretty hilarious stuff!

Oop; the power just blinked. Let me sign off while I still can. I'll update again when I can. Don't worry about us; the weather is bad, and we'll be without power for a while, but we'll be okay.
;-)
 
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