Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.

With the coming predictions of El Niño here on the west coast, Carol Stephen suggested we talk about Storm Preparation.

@RigginsConst How to prep for el nino? (That's one I'd really like!)

— Carol Stephen (@Carol_Stephen) July 20, 2015

You can read about areas to check (not just your roof) to see if your building is watertight here.

But first, some humor.

This is also El Nino. 😉 https://t.co/jVKWdTZhPX #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

Questions & Answers

Q1. What can you do to prepare for a storm?

A1 batten down the hatches #constchat

— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) July 23, 2015

A1. Talk to neighbors about emergency plans. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

@RigginsConst I think you mean El Nino WILL bring floods and mudslides. it's been so dry for so long, its bound to happen #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A1. Have sandbags ready, have an emergency plan in place, know where to go if there's flooding. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A1. we only really have to worry about hurricanes here on the east coast #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

A1 – Something as simple as filling your gas tank can save a lot of time and worry! #Constchat

— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) July 23, 2015

A1. Make sure you have all of the essentials…food, water, flashlight, toilet paper. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

A1. have an emergency kit in your car including blanket and food. #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A1 having an escape plan for your family is a good idea. Knowing who does what, who gets what supplies, who goes where etc. #constchat

— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) July 23, 2015

Secure house, evacuation plan, emergency kit, plan for pets #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

Did anyone mention a first aid kit for Q1? That would be a good addition. #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

Q2. How far in advance should you prepare?

A2. you should always be prepared! although you need to check your kit and swap out food regularly. #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A2. I'm starting prep tomorrow, literally. Meeting with neighbor. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A2. and it doesn't hurt to review emergency plan periodically, or when situations (job, address etc) change #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A2. For tornadoes, beginning of the "seasons" by organizing food, gloves, work boots, etc in basement. #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

This. Go bags for each person & pet. RT @FeeneyInc A2. you should always be prepared! check your kit & swap out food regularly. #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

@RigginsConst A2: It depends how much you have to prepare for…maybe a few days in advance. #constchat

— Alan Bernau Jr (@abernaujr) July 23, 2015

A2. You should always be prepared for emergencies because you never know when it's going to happen. Good idea to have 72-hr kits. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

A2 homeland security just says "well in advance" http://t.co/Iu060SiBCc #constchat

— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) July 23, 2015

hurricane season for east coast US'ers peaks in Sept. #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

A2 – On the east coast, we have a "hurricane season". Preparing in advance can be kept up with year round or a few weeks before. #Constchat

— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) July 23, 2015

A2. Depends on what you are preparing for, should have some stuff at start or x-season and then just have to watch and track #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

at least we have several days' warnings for the big twirly storms in the Atlantic. #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

The book Apocalypse Chow was written by some folks who learned to "dine" in the aftermath of a hurricane http://t.co/Y6O1wbuZAO #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

Q3. Have you thought about ensuring your building is watertight?

A3. Yes. Testing the seals on the windows during the dry season when they're easier to fix. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A3. We are in a very old building behind the Mississippi river flood wall. Hopefully it stays strong! #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

A3. Honestly, no. #ConstChat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

And having extra tarps just in case they're needed, too. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A3. To help seal doors use weatherstrip and door bottoms. #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

Q4. Do you know your local Red Cross and emergency info?

A4 sadly, no. Good reminder though! #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

A4. wow, now I don't know my local Red Cross and emergency info! How could I have missed that? #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A4. A complete list of local emergency numbers is on the giant to do list. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A4. No but will add it to the list 🙂 #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

A4. Emergency, yes. Red Cross, no. Need to get on that. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

A4 – That kind of information should be kept somewhere that's easy to get to. Especially in households. #Constchat

— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) July 23, 2015

A4 Red Cross has apps for that http://t.co/SWm2AYZoo6 #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

During the last El Nino, the area where I live was without power for SIX days! #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

This is so timely. I'm relocating in 3 weeks and need to find out Red Cross/emergency info in a new town, repack box, redo plan #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

Q5. Do you have a plan if electricity goes out?

A5. Yes, we have contingency plans for electricity or other type of outages. #constchat

— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) July 23, 2015

I don't even know if we have an emergency plan for our office. I mean, we proably do, but we should all review. #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

we're SOL if power fails for days. 🙁 Live in a multi unit building. #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

A5. We have flashlights, both battery-powered and the kind that wind up. And matches and candles. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

A5. Have solar backup for small electronic devices, lanterns, but no generator…yet. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

in my personal emergency kit, I have a wind-up radio, canned food, can opener, first aid, 5 gallons of h2o, towels… #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

A5 Our offices have contingency plans for our NC and FL offices if affected by hurricanes #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

A5 – Camping lanterns are great. They're affordable, they last and don't take up too much storage. #constchat

— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) July 23, 2015

Q6. Do you still have a house phone?

A6. No land line. #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

A6. A house phone is on the list, too! Good for emergencies. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

A6. Nope. #constchat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

Q7. What’s your number one preparedness tip?

A7. Have a plan, be well stocked, have a communication plan! #constchat

— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) July 23, 2015

A7. Don't put off planning and organizing for the plan. #constchat

— HagerCo (@HagerCo) July 23, 2015

A7. Prepare NOW. You can't plan when a natural disaster/emergency is going to hit. #ConstChat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) July 23, 2015

A7. A communication plan is key, so that people outside the disaster zone know you are okay (& also within it, too) #constchat

— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) July 23, 2015

A7. Get the master list created and prioritized, then start gathering/doing everything on it. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) July 23, 2015

wirecutter rates RAVpower the best portable solar charger out there: http://t.co/Pkp53rIK6J #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

any other suggestions for emergency kits? #constchat

— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) July 23, 2015

did anybody mention prescriptions? #constchat

— ecomod (@ecomod) July 23, 2015

A7 Prepare early #ConstChat

— Construction Data (@cdcnews) July 23, 2015

A7. Also, make sure to have cash on hand and the car with gas in it for any quick getaways that are needed. #constchat

— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) July 23, 2015