Thanks guys!. Also yeah Beachbum that was my fear of losing out on all of our refrigerated goods. I packed my chest freezer full and put all perishables in the fridge into the freezer, and luckily they lasted through my brief power outage. I was thinking at one point it may have been a good idea to get a generator, then I thought it would be pointless because I would have had no way to buy gas for the thing. Sorry it took them so darn long to get your power back! I live on a grid shared with a high school, so my house was prioritized indirectly.

 

I'm also in a hurricane zone so I can feel for what you're dealing with.
After a direct hit in 2004 from hurricane Ivan, I decided to have a prep storage area in my shop.
Since we're down a private road and not in a high priority restore zone, a generator to run the essentials was the 1st purchase. Prior to a storm headed our way I'll fill up 4 five gallon cans with gas. I'll do this a week ahead of time before the last minute gas hoarders hit the stations.
Storm changes direction or we don't lose power, I'll just dump the gas in my truck or wife's car as needed.
Also keep my pre-cut plywood stored to board up the windows. Have only put them up twice in the last 13 years.
The other thing is I'll prep my chainsaws with fresh gas and oil plus reserves. Those get a lot of use even after the minor storms.

 

George, you just listed all the things I plan on doing from now on. One big change in facing a Hurricane is being a HOMEOWNER during a Hurricane. Luckily my newly bought home came out unscathed, but I know I wont always be so lucky.

 

Yeah. I had just built my house and moved in 6 weeks prior to Ivan in 2004. Only minor damage( lost a couple pieces of vinyl trim off the porch)
The neighbors didn't fair as well. Major roof and water damage to 3 houses.
Took me 3 hours just to clear trees to get to the main road. Had to report to work back in my firefighting days.

 

Glad you are all ok! Cheers!