that is so true. After Wilma in 2005 we bought a generator and a portable a/c so we could at least sleep in comfort. People have no idea what it's like to try and sleep when it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity...
I am just so upset at the devastation that is occurring in Louisiana again...

Yes, you and I know how long and traumatic these hurricanes are to those affected. Back in 1979, we moved into our brand new house in Pascagoula, one block from the Gulf. My architect and I designed the house to withstand a minimum of 150 mph winds (guess why?). We moved into the house in early August and less than one month later, hurricane Frederic stuck Pascagoula with 130 mph winds. Our house lost a few shingles and some wind turbines, and that was it. My two next door neighbors' houses sustained well over $50,000 damage to each and that was not uncommon in our neighborhood. Remember, this damage cost was in 1979 dollars. We were without power and water for over a week. The entire neighborhood used my pool water for washing dishes and toilets. It was not potable but was useful for those purposes. My wife and I stood the oppressive 90+ heat plus the nearly 100% relative humidity for 4-5 days and could stand it no longer. We packed up, drove 100 miles north, and checked into a hotel for the night. You cannot believe how wonderful the AC and running water was for that single night. I guess you would call it a "one night stand"!. Hurricane Frederic was at that time the most costly hurricane to ever hit the US Gulf coast.

You had a good architect...

We were young adults when H. Alecia hit and endured 10 days without A/C in Houston's hot August. August is awful in Houston WITH A/C! As we aged, the heat and humidity and no A/C affected us more. After H. Rita and 6 days without A/C, we bought a generator and a 15 gallon gas pumper. It helped us through H. Ike and 8 days without power. 2 years ago, we wired the generator to the house so we eliminated cords running all through out yard. The neighbor took it a step further and bought a $$$$$ whole-house generator. Fortunately, we have not had to test it out yet. But I am always ready to hunker down. I have a 150 item check list that I follow. We have lots of pets and always plan on staying home as no shelter will take all of us in. And I am not leaving them behind!

It sounds like you have a plan in place, and I applaud you for that. I have gotten too old to fight Mother Nature. That was one of several reasons for my move to NE Mississippi from the Gulf coast.

Cheryl - I was in Houston back in that time Alicia hit and a young adult as well living in the Heights in Houston. I was without power for 2 weeks, while my neighbors across the street had power. I remember how people jacked up the price of ice and everything else. Two years later I moved back to Jones Creek area where I was originally raised and we have evacuated from 2 hurricanes since I moved back. You never know which way they will go and how severe they will be

Pat, wasn't that a horrible time? I remember a big truck came through our neighborhood selling ice for $10 a bag! They were from Louisiana. That was my first year living in Houston. My neighbors were so wonderful. We had two firemen on our street and together with the menfolk went house to , removing trees from homes and the streets, securing roof holes, and keeping the water out. We all shared food. But the repair people, etc not so much. They ripped us off! Now it is against the law to price gouge and is a fine-able offense.