Memories of Hurricane Juan

Article By: Bernardine Wood

As Irma lands in the Caribbean and heads toward Florida and beyond, and as Jose makes its way alongside on a more Easterly track, I remember Juan.

Of course, no one who lived through Hurricane Juan will ever forget it.

In Nova Scotia we often catch the breath of Atlantic hurricanes. Typically they are cooled off enough and tame enough by the time they reach Maritime Canada that bringing patio furniture indoors and stocking up for 2-3 days of power loss is the most precaution we ever need to take. Flashlights, batteries, a charged cell phone. Grumping about whatever we might lose in our freezers.

The warnings always come, but in that “cried wolf” way we typically laugh them off and make jokes about being stocked with storm wine and storm chips.

September 28th, 2003 was a fine day. We knew Juan was coming, and as usual expected it to weaken or change course out to sea. I watched radar and satellite images online, tracking it. I was living in our home outside the city then, with a large lake not far from my front door, and the Atlantic Ocean just a few miles out of sight of my back yard.

Hour after hour that Sunday ticked by until it was clear that Juan was coming. Not just coming toward us but straight at us. I remember the dread of watching the monster’s horrible eye fix on us and not waver its gaze. We cleared everything on the deck into the garage, we closed every window. We drew water into pitchers from the well. My phone was charged and I had a flashlight and batteries. My gas tank was full.

Night came and I settled my nine-year-old son into a loveseat outside my upstairs bedroom door so he would be close to me. Eventually we went to sleep and just … prayed for the best. Because at some point that’s really all you have left.

It was the crash that woke me. The most horrifying crash and then the howling. The pitch black darkness … although I have just tried to describe it … was indescribable. I was sure a tree had smashed into and through the house. I had to feel in front of me with my hands to find my way to Ian, screaming his name. Finally my hands found his soft little body. He spoke to me, he was unharmed.

My eyes adjusted and I found the flashlight. The storm was raging all around me in the house. Wet leaves everywhere. The nearby bathroom window had been closed, not latched. Juan had ripped it off.

I found plywood and nails and tried to board up the window, Ian holding the flashlight to guide me. It took all my strength to push the wood into place, with Juan pushing back as hard as it could. I will never forget how warm the rain was. Like bathwater. And salty. Juan had picked up the ocean and thrown it at us.

I did a probably foolish thing that night but I was so worried about what damage the window may have caused someone else that I went out into the backyard to try to locate it. The eye was passing over us in that moment. And I stood in the eerie stillness of its quiet. A brief pause in the beast’s terrible rampage. Breathless.

The next morning was a post-apocalyptic movie scene. Trees downed everywhere. Roofs damaged. My neighbor’s chimney on the ground. The silence was punctured only by the sounds of chainsaws. Everywhere.

We, and many others, were without power for weeks. Juan claimed lives, set records and closed parks for years.

And it taught us to never take a storm warning lightly again. Thoughts and prayers to all those who hurricane season has already harmed, and to those who stand now in Irma’s path: Please stay safe.

Article By: Bernardine Wood

Top UST Items for Storm Preparation

Power Banks

UST may not sell generators or full sized solar panels but we do have the technology to keep your electronics charged and your hands warm in the night. The Solar Spright, Spright Recharge, Brila Recharge and USB Hand Warmer will all keep your electronics charged while performing their intended purpose brilliantly. Having a light that you can charge in your outlet before the storm also saves you a trip to the store to find the last battery hidden behind a soda can.

Lanterns / Headlamps

Our most notable items to combat sitting in the dark during a power outage are our lanterns and headlamps. Our Duro Series last up to 60 days on one charge with standard alkaline D-batteries and are very durable thanks to a rubberized coating making it capable of surviving several rough situations. Our Spright Line, which includes our Solar Spright and Spright Recharge, are small and easily storable making them easy to pack into your emergency kit. We also now carry a new line of COB Lanterns that last up to 45 days. Headlamps are also a great source of light during storms since they keep your hands free when maneuvering around trying to find that lantern that you put in a safe place. Consider one of our See-Me Klipp lights for your pets and children so you can easily see them in the dark, especially if they a prone to hiding during emergency situations. Check out the rest of our lanterns, flashlights and headlamps on our website.

Water Containers

Anyone who has ever been in a major storm situation will know that water bottles magically disappear off shelves within minutes of a major storm announcement. Keeping a few water containers around house will ease some of the burden of trying to find water during a disaster. UST sells both a 10 liter and a 5 gallon size container that hold water safely for drinking, washing, and bathing. Depending on the quality of your tap water, you will have fresh water saved up straight from the faucet instead of fighting mobs in the stores.

Waterproof Containers

One of the greatest fears during storms is flooding, and some of your most precious items getting damaged in the waves flowing through our houses. Our waterproof containers may not save all your possessions during storms but it will keep some of them safe. The Watertight Case 2.0 will keep standard 4x6 photos snuggly secure and most can agree memories and photos are some of the most priceless items in your house. For larger items we have the Safe and Dry Bags. Keep important documents or essentials like food inside these bags. They were originally designed to keep food safely away from bears and keep items dry while kayaking. Even though not exactly a container, tarps can be spread over some items in your house to protect your possessions in the event a window breaks.

Manual Can Opener

From traditional to our multi-tool line, we’ve got plenty of items you can open a can with. Electric openers are useless when the power is out but you will need your canned food. During a storm, or power outages in general, it is advised to keep your fridge and freezer closed.  Cans, however, can live on the shelf for several years without refrigeration. Cans are also easy to store and come in a large variety from vegetables to complete meals.

Waterproof Matches

UST carries a variety of storm proof lighters and wind resistant fire starters but sometimes you just need a good old match. Matches are a good backup item to keep in the junk drawer of your home if you run out of butane or can't afford the sparks of our original fire starters indoors. Our Tekfire is a great addition to our lighter line, especially with the included Paratinder, and can be charged with one of our power banks. However, better be safe and keep some matches just in case.

Cooking Supplies

Now that we have fire and an open can, we just need something to cook with. If you are able to find a spot outside, break out our gear while boiling water or warming up a can of soup. The Solo Cook kit works well with both the PackIt and Folding stove and makes for a durable combo with the Fuel Cubes and Wetfire. Our Wetfire will even work in water so you know it will hold up on wet ground. Our Double Up Cup and Bowl will also work with our stoves and both can be used to make a great cup of coffee with our Flexware Coffee Drip. Check out our full line of cooking gear meant for the trail to keep yourself nourished during the storm.

First Aid Kit

It isn't an emergency supply list without a First Aid Kit, some may actually say, it should come first on their list. UST carries several options when it comes to minor medical emergencies, some of them are our Watertight First Aid Kits and our FeatherLite Series. Our Watertight series will keep your contents dry during the rains and our FeatherLite Series is easily stored for emergency situations in your home, car, emergency pack, and backpack. The Featherlite series also offers plenty of storage for your prescription medication. If you are not comfortable placing your whole prescription bottle, our B.A.S.E Cases are a great storage device to keep a couple of days supply safe. Just make sure to label it with what contents are inside.

Entertainment

Especially with children, this is an extremely scary and bewildering time and it is important to keep some distractions around the house that do not require electricity. Our Learn and Live series will help keep kids distracted while learning essential safety and survival tips. Who knows, maybe you will learn something as well. We also carry a card deck with survival tips that can be used to play Go Fish or similar games. Things will still be frightening and the winds will howl but family game night will do a lot to soothe the nerves.

Whistle / Signal Devices

Things will not always go so smoothly that you have to worry about being entertained. Whistles seem simple, and they are, but they increase your range of being noticed considerably. Lights serve well for this as well, keeping both will be ideal. Hopefully, you won't be in an extreme enough situation to use these items besides keeping the children amused. If you do not want to purchase these items separately, consider buying one of our survival kits. Just as the first aid kits, our survival kits come in watertight and FeatherLite version, among others. These kits are great to keep for the trail as well and will serve double purpose.

Multi Tool

Everyone should have an emergency kit where you keep your basic essentials in the midst of an emergency situation. A multi-tool is a great addition to a kit because it replaces a number of practical tools that could be needed during a storm. Some of our multi tools are simple, such as our Tool A Long line and some, such as our FlashBlade Series are kept for more difficult situations. Both take up little space and can be added to your kit or kept on the person when being prepared on the move.

Emergency Kit

UST keeps a variety of survival kits. Some of them are designed for basic emergencies and only include a couple of items, such as the Stay Safe Kit, but during storm situations, such as a hurricane, you want to be prepared with a higher variety of survival products. If you are in need of evacuation and don't have the resources or time to bring a lot of the other necessities on this list the Be Ready Kit includes alternatives in one portable package. The backpack includes survival tools, first aid kits, fire starting, water, food and lighting for basic survival.