Hurricane Helene one year later - good honest AAR and thoughts in GD of all places > Survival Discussions

prebans

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USA

Posted: 9/27/2025 7:31:52 PM EDT

I recognize not everybody wades into GD, but this thread is actually worthwhile.

An honest report of successes and failures.

“Don't post anything here or send anything you aren't willing to defend in court.”

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Cacinok

Joined: Oct 2007

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Posted: 9/28/2025 5:35:15 PM EDT

[#1]

Thanks. Some good info in there.

Rock_Ranger

Buc around and find out

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Posted: 9/30/2025 3:58:17 PM EDT

[Last Edit: Rock_Ranger][Edited] [#2]

It was a good and honest feedback.

In general, I continue to be amazed how much people trust basic services because "it has always worked."

In today's world, you should expect a disruption in power/water/food/gas/etc. and plan accordingly. The more collectively prepared we are, the more resources can be put towards those who are truely needy in a disaster.

If China disrupted utilities, even on a regional scale, this country would start tearing itself apart.

R_S

Laid-off door gunner

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TX, USA

Posted: 9/30/2025 4:41:18 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Rock_Ranger:
In general, I continue to be amazed how much people trust basic services because "it has always worked."

In today's world, you should expect a disruption in power/water/food/gas/etc. and plan accordingly. The more collectively prepared we are, the more resources can be put towards those who are truely needy in a disaster.

If China disrupted utilities, even on a regional scale, this country would start tearing itself apart.

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100%

per aspera ad astra

taliv

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 8682

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TN, USA

Posted: 11/25/2025 8:14:07 PM EDT

[#4]

Reusing this thread for a random question

Anyone aware of any reports where city sewer failed and stuff backed up into people’s houses?

I never heard of any reports. I did hear of a lot of treatment plants that were hosed. Curious what prevented it.

ROCK6

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GA, USA

Posted: 11/26/2025 7:55:33 AM EDT

[#5]

I somehow missed that thread, but we are in the same area (about 35 miles from Augusta), and the eye of the storm went right over out house. Several trees down, none on the house thank God. We live off the main road a few hundred yards and the line to our house was taken out by a tree.

We had no power for 18 days. Just a few reminders of the lessons I learned.

Zero communications. We had ZERO communications for the first three days. No local radio stations, zero mobile coverage. Our son was deployed to the middle east and had to report that everyone in his platoon was able to confirm contact with their families…he was the only one who couldn’t get ahold of us until day four (and we had to drive out to I20).

Gas cans. People were buying big generators and only had a single 2.5-gallon container. I only had about 50 gallons on hand, which got us through the first week and an half; I now maintain my maximum of 100+ gallons and rotate (I have the storage in the barn). All the gas stations were down immediately, but the only ones able to provide gas took cash only.

I have a couple of gas caddies. The 30-gallon one is great (hand pump), but impossible to transport for fill up. The smaller 14-15-gallon caddies are the best. I have about a dozen Scepter and Waivan fuel cans. Have a few 2.5-gallon versions as it’s easier for the wife to handle.

Cooking fuel (charcoal, propane, generator electricity, camping stoves, etc.). Food is great, water is essential, but cooking is pretty damn important if you want a hot meal.

Water. This was our saving grace. You need water and not just for drinking and cooking. Our well is actually inside our house (originally an old barn) and run from a 110v pump. That kept us with water and pressure for the duration. We didn’t just sit at home and for a few days during our power outage, I had to go into Augusta for work as our program office building had power (Fort Gordon was still down).

Totally agree with a dual fuel generator! I only had two generators. A 4.5k and smaller 1.5k for our “overland” power source when camping. I needed the larger one to run the water pump. I got nervous and when able to, I now have a second generator, a dual-fuel 5000k. That gives me a lot more flexibility but I still want to get a few 30-pound propane tanks as they’re easier to store.

Starlink. On my short list. Essential. Yes for communications, but where we live we are always a few days away from everyone else to get power restored. Instead of burning PTO, I can at least work from home, so internet access is important. I’ll have a mini in the near future and subscription for standby; I consider it a good investment.

Bought a second generator (dual fuel) and chainsaw. Along with the second generator, I picked up a second chainsaw. No issues with mine, but a guy down the road had his die on him and he couldn’t get it going again. I have handsaws, but nothing is going to clear the road faster than a chainsaw. I bought the same model/size, extra bar, extra chains, extra sharpening file, 2-cycle mix, spark plugs, and a couple big jugs of bar-chain oil.

Solar generators. I will get a larger one, but we had a small one that came in super handy. I could shut the generators off and we could use it for small things (taking a hot shower), electronics, etc.

Maintenance. I probably “over-maintained” my generators (I was a little scared to my primary generator die on me). Have enough fuel filters, extra sparkplugs, and plenty of oil (including bar chain oil and 2-cycle mix for the chainsaws) on hand.

Travel. Avoid it if possible; but it’s not always possible. We didn’t get my wife’s car filled up. She actually had to work late that evening when the hurricane hit. She didn’t top her tank off which was a mistake, but I had enough fuel on hand. It’s a simple TTP, stress it to your family members. We had to drive to the highway (about 10 miles away) to get cell phone signal to contact family on day three. My wife’s school alarm was going off (she got the text as soon as we got a signal), and she was the closest administrator, so off to the school and driving around a good twenty trees and several down power lines. A teacher from her school didn’t have power or any way to cook food for her kid (single parent). We drove through some of the devastation in Augusta to take her a spare camp stove and fuel. There were no issues, but I wasn’t comfortable with the risk. When you’re the one prepared, be prepared to assist others. My wife felt obligated, I got roped in!

Cash. I didn’t really need it because of the preps, but after we got the alarm system turned off at my wife’s school, we circled around and checked on a small-town grocery store. Power was out, cash only. I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get their earlier as they ended up having to throw all their meat out. We picked up a few items we really didn’t need but it was a little surreal.

Hot water. My wife has her little “overlanding” utility trailer hobby, and she added a tankless water heater with a 12v pump and heated by propane. We take it with us camping and it’s nice to have. It became essential when both of us had to actually go in for work. Weather was fine for the first week so we set it up outside, behind the house (no neighbors in sight). As the temps dropped, I rigged it up in our bathroom. I was able to run water into a container and then pump it through the tank for a “regular” hot shower.

The guy in the post mentioned lighting. Yes, I have dozens of charged batteries, flashlights, headlamps, etc., I even have half a dozen oil lamps and a couple of gallons of lamp oil. What came in really handy were a half dozen cheap battery-operated lanterns. I kept them in rooms that don’t have windows or limited lighting. Really cheap, really handy.

It's still surreal what hit us over a year ago. We were fortunate and prepared for the most part. I have coworkers just now getting house repairs started due to insurance and repair backlogs.

18 days was the longest I've been without electricity. What's more difficult is when you are expected to return to work and normalcy after 7-10 days. Our outage was one of the longest in the area and both my wife and I were the only ones at our places of employment who had to work, looking and smelling civilized, without "electricity" at home.

ROCK6

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson

taliv

Joined: Jul 2004

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TN, USA

Posted: 11/28/2025 5:04:48 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Originally Posted By taliv:
Reusing this thread for a random question

Anyone aware of any reports where city sewer failed and stuff backed up into people’s houses?

I never heard of any reports. I did hear of a lot of treatment plants that were hosed. Curious what prevented it.

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i'll take silence as a no, which is pretty curious

ColtRifle

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Joined: May 2002

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USA

Posted: 11/29/2025 1:27:33 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Originally Posted By taliv:

i'll take silence as a no, which is pretty curious

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Quote History

Originally Posted By taliv:

Originally Posted By taliv:
Reusing this thread for a random question

Anyone aware of any reports where city sewer failed and stuff backed up into people’s houses?

I never heard of any reports. I did hear of a lot of treatment plants that were hosed. Curious what prevented it.

i'll take silence as a no, which is pretty curious

Most codes now require a back flow preventer. So your sewage might not flow out but you don’t have sewage backing up into your house.

"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt

taliv

Joined: Jul 2004

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TN, USA

Posted: 11/29/2025 7:14:53 PM EDT

[#8]

That’s good to know but most of the affected houses were prob built in the 40s-80s. Surprised there aren’t any reports at all. I mean you’d think something like that would make the news

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Hurricane Helene one year later - good honest AAR and thoughts in GD of all places

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Hurricane Helene one year later - good honest AAR and thoughts in GD of all places