*** Quoting Nancy Backus from a message to Mike Roberts ***   
      
    NB> You are probably more prepared than we are, then...  But we do have   
    NB> canned goods that are fine cold if need be, and battery operated   
    NB> radios. Should still have an oil lamp or two, too, although I brought   
    NB> most of those up to the Pond, where power outages happen all the   
      
   I am like Richard in that respect, although will admit, there was just    
   something about this storm, it was almost like a sense. It was down below    
   Florida and I had a feeling about it. I actually thought we would be hit    
   harder, but am thankful we did not. I prepared more for this for a reason, I    
   don't know. But I also know that being without power etc for 2 weeks during    
   the ice storm, made me over the years prepare a bit. I will tell you what.    
   The next time I walk by and incredible deal on a generator when they are not    
   in big demand, I am going to splurge. But will wait for the right time and a    
   good buy. I have said this to myself before, but mean it this time. ;-)   
      
   One of the great things I suggest for any preparedness kit is the Bay-Gen    
   Radio. They are not that expensive, need no batteries, they have solar charge    
   and crank. Get regular am/fm and also short wave and an extremely bright led    
   light. Another one of those things that I have bought that paid for itself.    
   Normally you don't need it, but when You do, it sure is a nice thing to have.    
   You can catch them on sale from time to time from companies like C.Crane and    
   some others. I do know Crane sells qualitya at an decent price.   
      
    NB> We're in a pretty good spot, flooding wise, not likely at all here.   
    NB> And I'm not too worried about trees falling here, most aren't likely   
    NB> to reach this house.  Even with the Ice Storm, we didn't have any on   
    NB> the house, just branches all over the yard...    But, yes, we   
    NB> shall see..   
      
   I don't know why the basement gets wet, well I do, when the pump is not    
   working, but man as I have come to see, that pump goes down, just minimal    
   rain and we get wet. Heavy rains and we'd be in trouble I think. Oddly not    
   moldy or anything down there. But I recall times when old pump died, I had to    
   shop vac all day long to get water out. In fact that is why the pump got    
   replaced. So I would say we are not having moisture problems, but that is not    
   true, because if that pump is dead and it is heavy rain I do have problems.    
   But there is no creeks or anything nearby that backs up. The basement will    
   get wet though if pump is off.   
      
   This is after the fact, Glad to hear things went well on Your end too.   
      
   Have a Good One!   
   Mike   
      
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