Expectation vs Reality // Lessons From Surviving Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

[@Wildflorajewelry]

You can be as prepared as you want to be but that will not keep you safe. We were prepared but our house collapsed with us inside. Luckily we made it out with our two babies. No shoes, no phones or IDs. We lived in Chimney Rock, NC. Don’t build your life around preparation, build it upon the rock that is our Lord Jesus Christ. ❤

[@HeavenlyMindedHome]

I could not agree more!!! I actually have MUCH to say about this- and definitely something we’ll be talking about more here soon. I’m so thankful you are ok! I’d love to connect- could you possibly send us an email? [e-mail]

[@kristinwatkins2406]

❤My heart goes out to you ! Thank God the family got out !!! You are right ! God is our ROCK … Carolina gal here & App State Grad

[@beckystjohn3011]

I am praying for you now, you are correct! So glad you are alive and youyr family too!

[@IndependentThnkr-v7c]

So glad your family got out alive. God bless and keep you, AMEN 🙏❤

[@DebraLunsford-m1d]

So sorry about your home. Thank God you survived!!

[@LMStevens]

I grew up off grid many moons ago. I learned that you need a clothesline under an awning/roof to dry clothes during bad weather, and another one, of course, in the sun. Adding a mud room in front of the front door, kinda like an artic room in Alaska, where you can hang jackets and where you drop all muddy items. Have slippers, like the Japanese do, at the door so no mud comes in. It was drilled into us, kids! lol! Cement a large pad in front of this mud room. Have a set up area for washing clothes by hand. This is very handy for washing large bedspreads. I use calves feeding tubs from the farmers market and a wringer from Lehman’s. A cooking wood stove is great because it can dry the house well, summer or winter. You can have one outside under the awning for when it is too hot inside. It is great for boiling water non stop during emergencies. The outdoor kitchen area needs to be covered for when it rains. When you are canning, make coffee and fill canning jars. Can that when you do other canning. It is so great to have coffee ready. Of course, many many bottles of bleach. As for the pantry food, I have things that I don’t eat but that I can share with others, as a ministry. I agree with all of your suggestions. You had a very important thing during this event: like minded community and enough people to make it work. Isn’t amazing how our Father watches over us and provide ? He continually teaches us new things and to lean on Him. Because of Jesus, Lise.

[@i2sky532]

Wonderful tips

[@ElizabethEllison-j6s]

Great tips! I am a coffee -holic. I never thought about canning a couple of jars of coffee

[@maryannpost8146]

Fantastic ideas! Thanks so much for sharing! May God bless you and yours!❤❤❤

[@jamesalles139]

indeed, thanks for posting

[@chantallennox1201]

I love my wringer ☺️. And my plunger with holes drilled here and there.

[@PaulineFontenot]

After Hurricane Laura, I learned that if you put Dawn dishwashing liquid on the bottom of your pots, they won’t get ruined by the flames. The black just washes right off

[@victoriabecraft6166]

I have an outdoor kitchen with a propane stove since I can everything under the sun. We purchased a whole house generator that runs on gas or propane because we already own a 1000-gallon propane tank. We purchased a solar generator which will run a few lights, the fan on the wood stove and the refrigerator for approximately 5 hours. We will run our whole house generator every 4 hours which will keep the deep freezer frozen (since it's full and is in our cool basement), refill our water containers and charge our solar generator. The solar generator will charge to 100% in 45 minutes! We can charge all of our devices with the solar generator also. We did install a hand pump for our well just in case. Our regular well is set up with a filtration system, so we refill our drinking containers while the whole house generator is running. We own a wood stove with a grid so I can cook on it or use the grid over the fire pit outside during warm seasons. We own some cast iron pots. Our local Walmart in southeast Iowa, has Lodge cast iron pans pretty inexpensive. My cousin and her husband live in the middle of nowhere and Star Link works great for them when no other service will reach them. We also own several oil lamps. I hate the smell of kerosene so I purchase Klean Heat lamp oil from Menards. It works great without the smell. We have several 250-gallon rain tanks around our homestead. It's not potable but it can be boiled. Although these things are nice to have, God is our security system. At any given moment it could all disappear.

[@micheleendemano937]

What type of solar generator do you have and what size? What do you charge it with? It sounds ideal to charge in 45 minutes. Would you do anything differently if you were to set it up again?

[@victoriabecraft6166]

@@micheleendemano937 We have an Anker 750. We do have an energy star rated refrigerator and the electricity to our wood stove is the equivalent of a ceiling fan. I was shocked it only took 45 minutes to charge from 20% to 100%! The booklet states it will fully charge in less than 1 hour, but I didn't believe it until it was proven! I really like this particular unit. The only thing I would like to add is addition power. The unit allows me to hook up two additional batteries to it to triple the wattage!

[@victoriabecraft6166]

@@micheleendemano937 It's an Anker 750. We have a energy star rated refrigerator and the fan on the wood stove uses approximately the same amount of electricity as a ceiling fan on high.

[@theratrace999]

We have become too dependent on our phones! One thing I would recommend is writing down on paper all the phone numbers, contact information, home addresses, email addresses, etc., of individuals in your phone contact list, for emergency situations!

[@brianwt1]

Yeah that won’t help if you house is gone and nobody can find the paper.

[@theratrace999]

@@brianwt1 Well luckily, you would have planned a little, and have clothes on, maybe have pockets, a wallet holding said papers with numbers when you leave the house! You have some control of the paper, but the phone you DON'T have CONTROL of the SERVICE!

[@brianwt1]

@@theratrace999 oh I know.

[@darlsbarkley3493]

​@@theratrace999how are you going to call anyone from a landline if you don't have power, phone service, or a way to get out? I don't think you understand how many small, private steep roads and bridges exist here.

[@theratrace999]

@@darlsbarkley3493 I don't understand your understanding of my comment! I stated that we are too dependent on phones, period! Call me old, but I can remember a time when households didn't have TVs or phones and we survived! I can remember when my family got our first turn knob black and white TV. We didn't get a phone until I was 8 years old! Yes, I am of the Boomer generation and we survived!

[@LittleHouseOnTheMountain]

Girl, I am so glad to see how God is touching your videos with favor during this time! What a blessing in the midst of heartache. I do hope you received our donation. I wasn't sure with all the connection issues. Bless your family. Love from your NJ family in Christ ❤❤❤

[@angelagrant2943]

❤❤❤

[@genabrady1348]

Our heating system went out right before a winter storm dumped 2 feet of snow on our little beach town that never gets snow. We had just installed a wood stove insert the summer before. Life saver. It was a week of freezing temperatures before the roads were clear enough for the repair man's vehicle to get to us. Everyone should have a Berkey filter, a way to heat/cook without power, and a month of shelf-stable food on hand. In this world of convenience, it's easy to forget about disaster preparedness.

[@patriciacole8773]

Peppermint essential oil too for many benefits. Including water purity

[@dirkpitt34]

I am in North Carolina and went through Bertha and then Fran in the 90s. It was bad. The flooding was horrible. We were without power for 3 months. Folks in the low lying areas were destroyed and our coast looked like a nuclear bomb had went off. I understand exactly what you folks are dealing with. All of our prayers are with each and every one of you, God is still in control.

[@emilottis3119]

✝️😣😫😩..so Dirk .. WHY did GOD DO THIS TO US !?!! ... WHY, Dirk ?!? .. 😣😫😩😢😨😳😤✝️✝️✝️

[@eversmanfamily]

Rocket stove is a good item that uses small twigs to cook with. I have a lot of cast iron. We have a hand pump on our well. It was expensive but totally worth it. We have kerosene and lamp oil lamps. Composting toilet or a 5 gallon bucket with sawdust. (off grid with Doug and Stacey) A large solar bag shower works great. They sell these on Amazon. We use these when primitive camping. I think you and your family did great! We all learn so much during a crisis.

[@wango556]

Most important for your toilet bucket is a toilet lid

[@bsholderlowescs]

@@wango556Amazon sells seat with lid that fits 5 gal buckets. Reasonably priced. I keep 6 gal trash bags as liners

[@kathymurphy4721]

I have oil lamps and extra fuel, lots of unscented candles, solar powered lanterrs that are always charging in the window sill. We have a two burner camp stove and a butane single burner stove 5+ tanks of propane. We gather firewood all year and have an outdoor wood grill. Several cat iron pans. I have 2 solar generators that I keep charged All the time. We have walkie talkies we keep charged. We keep how to books and paper maps for when there is no net.

[@saramartinez103]

Wow!!!

[@able880]

​@@saramartinez103 your post was funny, wow - I live on high ground in the deep South and have rode out 20 hurricanes in my life time - Were I live they did not have grid power till about 1960 or so - People with electricity in there rural homes had farm light plants - They had 16 large battery's that made for 32 volts DC to power there homes, water pumps, ceiling fans, window fans, radio, lights, clothing irons,, washing machines, vacuume cleaners, fridges ect - Stores in rural town sold complete lines of appliances for 32 volt DC powered homes - The down side of living in a 32 volt DC powered home was we had to run the generator all day every Friday to charge the house battery's - at least we only had to hear the generator run once a week lol - I still have the old generator and battery's - hurricanes and ice storms can knock my power out for long periods or months - .so I go back to the old power when that happens -

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

Paper maps, big help!!!

[@nancydc9422]

Blessings and honor to you

[@able880]

​@@nancydc9422that's a really good comment blessings and honor - By making that comment you blessed and honored your self with others -

[@conniekline9881]

I follow a lot of prepper channels and have watched the tragedies hitting so many over the last few weeks (to include the fires in Wyoming), and I value highly those who have personal testimonies. It’s important to know what worked and where someone could do better. I don’t know how anyone could fully prepare for what unfolded through Helene, but to plan for those main categories is crucial. Redundancy, and having layers in those key areas (water, food, shelter, heat, light) is best, as someone said 2 is 1, 1 is none, we need backups. This is a wonderful time to teach, and learn together, prepping, how to and with what, foraging, first aid, etc. I can suggest some good channels for that if you would like. God bless all of you.

[@gayhealey8568]

Sure, channel is up & thanks.

[@patience320]

My son used to do civil air patrol and to this day still swears by keeping a 48hr/72hr bag ready at all times. He says so many that lost everything could possibly have grabbed their bag on the way out the door and had survival gear (not all cases but many). Its something to add to the lists we all are thinking of in these times. The list for packing them are online.

[@CP-fo5sy]

Keeping dishes done and counters clean is important too. It's so much worse if you are in a dirty, cluttered house,especially if there is stuff on the floors.

[@wango556]

Excellent input. If you can use ammonia,vinegar,bleach etc you can stockpile a lot more cleaning supplies

[@AuthenticallyJaki]

I feel like these women are doing everything they can do to keep things as clean & tidied up as best they can under all the circumstances. She's even washing her hair in creek water I believe so these are very clean type of people. You can just tell ❤ God Bless them for their resourcefulness & making lemonade out of lemons 🍋

[@i2sky532]

@CrouseHouseLegacy I agree. Last thing they need is critical, nasty comments

[@CP-fo5sy]

⁠@@i2sky532, I hope you weren't referring to my comment. I was attempting to affirm the mama in the video when she said she felt like she wasn't prepared enough for the storm because her kitchen wasn't set up for what they actually needed during the aftermath of the storm. I was trying to say that she was doing a good job preparing because she mentioned she was cleaning and their house wasn't cluttered. I was trying to point out that those things that she was and is doing are very important and helpful.

[@i2sky532]

@CP-fo5sy OH!!! I see now what you were saying. I apologize for misunderstanding and not taking a minute to confirm. I thought you were hiding her for having a cluttered counter.

[@ctjewel281]

Thank you so much for sharing these helpful tips. My prayers are with everyone that has been impacted by these terrible storms. Some additional things I've found helpful to have whether we're RVing or during a power outage are: an inverter generator powered by both propane and gas, rechargeable battery light bulbs you can screw them into any lamp, glow sticks (they make great night lights), a solar power bank. We also have Starlink for when we travel and as a backup at home if we lose our Internet service.

[@julianawilliams1836]

Thank you for this video, it is encouraging to see someone that lifts where they stand. Your suggestions are practical and thought provoking. We have focused our preps on food and security but after seeing yours and others suggestions that are living through this tragedy I can see some areas where our focus needs to shift.

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

Same here!

[@andierichter1382]

I have lived through probably 20 to 25 hurricanes in my 33 years of life living in Florida. The biggest thing is just keeping all of your important documents In a tight, preferably water sealed container that you can easily grab. Those documents are needed to fill out FEMA applications or get help across the board. Plus you really have to have this documents just to live in life. The second thing that I think is the most important is to keep up on your non-perishables including canned foods. Rather you can them yourself or you buy. It doesn't really matter but keep it all on deck. Spices believe it or not. Yes, spices matter because you know what. Sometimes it's just nice to have a spice up on some things. We love grills! Things like a backup generator are great but they can be expensive and you don't have to go that route unless you have medical needs. I personally choose to go that route but that's because we go without electricity quite often here in Florida. You can fill your bathtubs up with water and your sinks. Just scrub them out the night before. You can fill your washing machine up. I have actually turned my dryer into a cooler before and yes it's possible.

[@betsygodwin8938]

@andierichter1382 can you maybe list the important papers you think we should be keeping handy? Thank you!

[@andierichter1382]

@@betsygodwin8938 Sure! - Drivers licenses -Health care cards - Any type of identification that you might need for the military or VA or your job etc. -S.S. -Birth certification - Home owner insurance papers. -Deed a copy of the home and cars.

[@darlsbarkley3493]

None of that is helpful when your home is full of water or completely gone. I don't think you understand how much harder evacuation is in the mountains of NC than it is in Florida.

[@christinenguyen2747]

If you run out of paper plates, you can use baking wax paper on your ceramic plates and just throw away the sheets when you're done. Use baby wipes to clean your bodies. As for washing hair, lean over the kitchen sink and have someone pour water over your hair. Then wash with shampoo and rinse well. We used about a couple bottles of water per head only. Occasionally our well pump is down over the holidays and plumbers were not available immediately. We did this. Everyone is clean and happy.

[@brandynash1409]

Wax paper is a great idea!!!

[@intothemystic3374]

Primitive camping (long before cell phones and technological gadgets came along) helped me these past 60 years prepare for outages. I live in rural NC that is prone to tornado warnings, ice storms, flooding, hurricane wind gusts (knocks out power). Hurricane Helene has taught me a lot about preparing for a disaster and the importance of a detailed evacuation plan. Having an evacuation plan, on paper gives me peace of mind. Seeing exactly what to take with me without the stress of figuring it out in the moment. Also, a list of important contact information (local, state, federal agencies, insurance, etc). Important documents, pictures, cash. First aid kit in tackle box to grab, bug out bag, etc., etc. Tho I have a NOAA weather radio I see clearly the need for a portable ham radio to use in emergencies. For outages, everthing has been in place and used for past 40 years. I can hunker down in comfort. Backup propane heater heats my small house, extra Mr Heater Head, propane camp stove, backup water (tho a hand pump would be ideal), backup food and light sources, backup shelter on property. I have what I need down to a helment in case of a tornado. PS Can you do a video about how youre sharing all of Gods blessings with those less fortunate in your area? Maybe include list of items they need in your description along side what your asking for?

[@bethmendoza1847]

Thanks for sharing. I live in a big city. I take everything for granted.

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

These tragedies remind us how frail and vulnerable we can be especially when you live in the city!!! Maybe this will be a good reminder for us to build a back up systems especially for water/ food! This could have happened to ANYONE. We must prepare for anything these days!

[@chaiwithfarmgirl]

you should definitely start living like you name...figure out how to get to the country and live like it's 1847!!! THAT should be everyone's goal, cause honestly, the entire history of humans have been living that way till about 150 years ago...and look at us now, Just like the movie Wallie!!!

[@sholson2000]

Preps for most #1. Learn from the AT hikers, have a few lightweight backpacker setups so you can completely go backwoods: food, camping, tent, food prep via boil water only, sawyer filters, plan for a week minimum, etc. you also need at least a dozen 5 gal pails and a small wagon for the water transit. #2. your water is electric dependent, should have had a LiFEPO4 battery and solar panel minimum backup, but two Bluetti EP500 units that connect together to backfeed 10KWH into the home, that's what I started with, about $7k and some portable Renogy PV panels. I have extra 12 and 48V LiFEPO4's with micro inverters and could hook them up in a pinch with a switch depending on your pump voltages, etc, but at least you would have on/off water capability in minutes. #3. your on the farm, electrical can be knocked out by car crash, combine, tractor; should have a backup system, probably need 30 KWh of LifePO4's with 12K inverter and 7000-10,000 watts of solar, total system cost around $12-15K from signature solar. Look art you electric bill, divide the total watts by the days and double the number to gauge your battery needs. #4 Backup Comms are via Baofeng radio's ( UV-5R) at $20 ea. You have repeaters in the area that EMS is using, you would program these in with a few frequencies and you can listen in and communicate any needs. The larger battery upgrade for these lasts a week easy. #5 My final backup system is auto based with a few LiFEPO4's with the car generator and can add PV if wanted. Only one company's hardware allows this option in one piece, it is Renogy Battery Charger with MPPT, 50Amp unit. I upgraded the alternator to 60 Amps and added a 3000 W inverter. With this I can recharge any battery bank or run heavy equipment with a long extension chord. This provides another 20% charging per day solution for that 30KWh system without any sunlight. I am located in Greenville SC, lost a few trees, we were out of power for a week. I backfed the EP500's for the first day/night just running fridges and lights, then saw it was going to be a while as the power lines were down all around, so I connected the 30KWh/12KW batteries and inverter, ran the entire house like normal w/out AC for the next four days. Then Sun came out and recharged everything back 20% so I dialed down to only a couple room lights, a TV and two fridges for another day and then power came back..... I keep 20 PV panels in the basement so I had to get this stuff out, set it out in the yard and connect everything...about 2 hours. Our family grew in size as the powerless days lingered. I recharged the EP500's with the car, then lent them to two different neighbors for their fridges. So now, you have a plan, growing the system from small to big and can go camping to full scale and even help out the neighbors too. These are certainly not all the options or companies... the batteries are cheaper now than when I got them a couple years ago. Generators are great until you run out of fuel or hate the noise. My wife went ballistic on the $15K I spent on the 30KWh/12 KW system + panels, but she now understands PERFECTLY that it priceless in an emergency! My family settled in ND from Norway. They made it through the harshest times with a few preps and NO conveniences. They added electrical to the house in the 1950's. I saw how they lived and swore I would not be held hostage by modern BS. Good Luck and God Bless

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

Great information! Thank you for sharing with your neighbors, they must have been blessed by your generosity! God bless you!

[@gayhealey8568]

This info is a blessing. Thank you.

[@dpixvid]

Cool I live over in Cherrydale... getting my act together after Helene!

[@mapinkpout4711]

I'm praying for all of you as you rebuild your homes and farms. May all without homes for now have a place to go. 😢 From an old lady in Temple Texas

[@tobeforgottenisworsethande8995]

You're the kind of Californian North Carolina needs!

[@pollysshore2539]

Local Western North Carolinian here. If it takes you a couple days to figure out a system to brush your teeth… naw. You’re in need of a WNC local. Always catch water before storm. Have water that is dedicated for drinking, and water washing/brushing. Fill a bathtub with water that can be used to flush toilets. Always make sure you have batteries, flashlights, candles, oil lamps, camping lanterns. solar lights, etc. I personally love using battery operated string lights. I keep string lights on top of the bookshelves in my hallway (which has no windows and is incredibly dark in the day) and have more stored in a hat boxes on top of one of the book shelves. I pull them out and set them up when power outages are likely. I think stocking up on emergency food for months is wasteful. Make sure you have food for 2 weeks and for gawds sake eat fruits and veggies. A carnivore diet is not healthy. It’s woo, bunk, junk. People need a balanced diet to function and think properly.

[@tiffanydove1671]

Good morning, I wanted to let you know thar when cooking over an open flame, if you coat the outside of your pots and pans with dish soap first, they are a breeze to clean after using them. Sending prayers and love from central VA.

[@comfortcreekranch4948]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@threeriversforge1997]

I went 8 days without electricity and it showed a lot of holes in my preparedness. The one shining light, though, was just that... a shining light. My Feuerhand hurricane lanterns proved their worth for those eight days, and I've since donated them to others still in need. While there are a lot of oil lamps on the market, they are all made in chicom territory. The Feuerhand lanterns, though, as still made in Germany, and the quality cannot be beat. Everything that was running on batteries was toast from sitting so long. Only my oil lamps worked. Sure, I had the Surefire flashlight that ran on CR123 batteries, but that's one very bright light that hardly works or a multitude of things. The Feuerhand lanterns, though, put out a warm illumination that really gave me a sense of peace. I have more decorative oil lamps, the kind with glass and ceramic bases, meant to sit on the mantle and look pretty. They worked, too, and I'm glad to have had them. The Feuerhand lanterns are simply more robust and portable. Everywhere I turned, I saw that "Old Tech" was functioning when "New Tech" was either failing or making the situation worse. My chainsaw was acting up because I hadn't used it in a year or so, but my axe and pruning saws ran flawlessly. More importantly, to me, is that the Old Tech didn't make me reliant on charity or force me to hunt down fuel and oil for it. Yeah, it was all slower than new tech, but it worked perfectly. This is what we still see in North Carolina and other areas hard hit by Helene. Mule trains are slow, but ATV's are only as good as the gasoline powering their engines. When there's no gas, the mules can eat the grass and leaves, but what are the ATV's going to do? Chiasson Smoke donated 75 of their unique Rocket Stoves to the relief effort and that really got me thinking about all the downed wood around the area. Propane heaters and cooktops are nice, and I donated two Coleman stoves myself, but that makes folks really dependent on charity and hope. It puts a worry in their minds because they always need to be hunting down fuel if they want to stay warm and fed. Where are the wood-fired stoves, though? Tons and tons of dead trees everywhere, and hardly anyone is thinking of supplying wood stoves for heat and cooking. Old Tech works, and I think half the problems we faced during those days of darkness were a direct result of turning our backs on the old ways for the sake of convenience. When a store's just minutes down the road, it's hard to 'justify' growing a garden or getting into canning and pickling so you have plenty to eat over the winter.

[@Vaflnana]

Having a go bag packed and ready to go, plus a medical bag with dressings, etc. would be helpful if you have to leave quickly. We had a generator and cooked on a hot plate. I just bought a double one. We have Baofang radios that I charged before the storm. It has Ham radio channels, which can only be used in an emergency, but other channels too and weather. At least you can get info. Rocket stoves are easy to make outside with cinder blocks or bricks. And a grate. When I heard the storm was coming, I baked a ham. We lost power and had something easy to eat. I also filled pots in the kitchen with water for cooking and cleaning. Used a lot of baby wipes. Filled 5 gallon buckets in the bath tub for flushing toilets. Just dipped a pitcher in to dump it. Luckily we had a clothesline and clothespins. We use French presses for coffee, tea, etc. Just need boiling water… no power. I have a Wonderbag. Made ham and bean soup and pot roast in it. Just need to boil contents in a pot for 15 minutes. Put pot in the bag, and it will keep cooking all day with no stove needed. Still hot enough to need hot pads to take it out hours later. Praying everyone recovers soon,both from H. Helene and H. Milton!

[@cherylallis2458]

If you don't have a Wonderbag, you can put the contents into a Dutch oven type pot and wrap with layers of blankets. Don't forget that the blanket layers must be go underneath the pot as well as around the sides and top. I have cooked dried beans this way. It cuts down on the boiling time drastically.

[@carolecoyote960]

Where can I find a Wonderbag? Ideas?

[@Vaflnana]

@@carolecoyote960 I found mine on Amazon.

[@carolecoyote960]

@@Vaflnana Thank you!

[@margiespeight1041]

When a large storm approaches, I always get All my laundry done in the event a no power or water happens. Been through a flood in Texas and now living in Fla.

[@tomessary4099]

Coat you pots/pan for over a fire with liquid dish detergent to help keep them from the caked on soot! Thanks for sharing!

[@ginagonzalez6547]

Hi, this is my first time watching your channel. It is heartbreaking, to say the least. I have no words. The only thing I can say that went through my mind was because there is always a next time unfortunately. We live in perilous times and from now on we can always be at expectancy. No matter how prepared people may have been, the fact thst many people literally lost their homes and everything in it was devastating to watch reels people made afterwards. Really heartbreaking. The thought was for people to have a community gathering everywhere and brainstorm all those ideas you gave and together will come up with something even better. There is a saying 2 heads think better than one. My thought was every town gather funds build a warehouse big enough to house emergency supplies for everyone in that area. So will every town do the same. Those items will be rotated so they will not spoil or expire. Have one person guard the warehouse or a police car go on a regular basis. Find the best solution for everything. I know that when things of this magnitude happens even warehouses get destroyed. Just a suggestion. You and some other people were blessed. God Protects those whom follow Him. This is an opportunity for those who are still alive to come to Christ. As I write this I feel like crying because who knows how many souls perished without Christ in their hearts. Really heartbreaking. Enough said.

[@Kathleen253]

Stay strong in the Lord. Your strength will help those around you. Who knows if you were spared more harm to encourage others and be a resource to many.

[@CP-fo5sy]

Depending on how deep your well is, it may not be so simply to add a hand pump. Also, you may have to unhook the wires for the electric pump to use the hand pump, which isn't easy to reattach later. I was told that the best way is to have a hand pump installed when a new well is drilled. We installed a transfer switch for our house electricity. When power is out we flip switches and hook up to our portable generator. This powers our well pump and a few other appliances, including our hot water heater. We turn the generator on for an hour or two and shower, wash dishes, feed animals and make meals.

[@intothemystic3374]

Great to know!

[@usmc9355]

We have a deep well. No hand pump options. We have generator specific to the well pump.

[@chaiwithfarmgirl]

Yes, simple pump has well hand pumps, not sure HOW deep they can go, but they go pretty deep! Putting one in when the well is drilled would be wise, otherwise it's a huge pain, but can be done!

[@Matthew_Loutner]

A hand pump limit is around 20 feet.

[@juanitabirch4928]

Thanks for the tips. With 850 bridges with some sort of mud slide damage. No Amazon or post office delivery. Churches are asking for hoodies, coats, and mr buddy heaters. Keep the faith

[@w8nwo]

Careful with those "unlimited distance" walkie talkies. They rely on cell phone networks. But thank you for sharing your experience and your advice!

[@lydiaajohnson]

The Luminade type lights work beautifully. They’re square cubes made of plastic that blow up, so easy to store. They charge all day and burn all night.

[@juststeph6940]

Seeing all these natural disasters has me starting to be even more prepared. I live in Canada so we don’t see a whole lot of natural disasters but we can have harsh winters and ice storms. I’m hoping before winter hits we are fully prepared.

[@andreamcdermott9355]

I grew up and live in Maine. We also mostly just get ice and wind storms, but I grew up rural enough that several days a month we might not have power in the winter. Even on a main route we still might have a storm where we lose power for 3-5 days every few years. My parents taught us to always keep 2 weeks of non-perishables in the house, have a plan for water access, have alternate lighting and heating (and cooking), a battery radio, and we've added alternative ways of charging necessary devices. It's just what almost everyone does and it's good for non-natural disaster emergencies like job loss, helping someone else in need, etc. The one thing we aren't good about is water - we are on public water that stays on in outages and our next door neighbor is on a well and has a generator, so we don't store water. If push came to shove, we are also 1/2 mile from the lake that is the area reservoir. To me it's so foreign that everyone doesn't have these preparations I consider very bare minimum, but I get not everyone grew up and was taught that way. We even bought our house with it in mind - we have on demand propane hot water with a pilot that will heat without electric, a gas stove that can be lit by hand, and a wood stove. So, we have hot and cold running water, can cook on our regular stove and heat our house. Add lanterns and the only things we lack are larger modern electronics and internet.

[@juststeph6940]

@@andreamcdermott9355 Oh we have a lot prepared but I can see where we have some holes. We have two wood stoves, fire pit outside, generator, lots of wood covered, extra propane and gas to run things, a good years worth of meat, many canned veggies from our garden. We have flashlights and candles. So we are pretty well off in many areas, but I think having other light sources or more flashlights and candles would be good. Solar powered chargers, I saw a solar powered radio/flashlight/ charger. I would like to get a wash basin so we could still wash clothes. Just a few things that I could see us needing if disaster hit.

[@crazychicken4063]

So yeah, we're in northeastern south Dakota when we've had many outages from blizzards and ice storms. So what I've wondered is how would a person cook out of doors with feet of snow and it's very cold and windy... Does anyone have tips for such a situation?

[@juststeph6940]

@@crazychicken4063 we have our bbq under a lean to that is attached to the house and on a side of the house that gets protected a bit from blowing snow, we just have to shovel a small path. If that was u see snow and we couldn’t, we have a propane burner that is stored in our house that we could use, if we could bring it outside to use that would be ideal but if we had to use it indoors we just have to be smart about it. Also we have wood stoves we could cook on.

[@phxjaguar5207]

Something that is often overlooked for those that have the ability to obtain and use is to keep a fair sized supply to match your needs of fire bricks and radiant barriers and sheets. Besides just the insulation and fire building value they can be used for heating and cooling with their mass. As in for heat on colder evenings heat the bricks outside and bring inside when needed, whether directly by fire or even solar using radiant sheets underneath the bricks or some makeshift greenhouse. May not be very useful for a large area but could add some needed relief for a bed or such

[@walkercustoms]

I bought a generator that'll power my well and house. This disaster showed me that even though I'm prepared those preps could be compromised. Now i store 70 gallons wash water, and 50 gallons drinking water with s battery powered rv water pump and im working on a solar set-up now. I have 2 name brand generators but if power were out indefinitely even my large fuel storage could last so much longer with solar power also. Im putting a wood stove back in the house too.

[@Golden.5555]

I live in Western North Carolina and my utility company installed mine and not hard to do routine maintenance but you do you. I found it worth every penny

[@jennifermcleod8176]

Great tips. I’m thinking we should all have important papers in a water/fire proof safe. Love y’all!❤

[@brendahowell5946]

Buckets and mor buckets! So many different uses. An outdoor kitchen enclosure even if you have to use tarps during an emergency. Back up potty x 5 😂

[@joyluse7078]

Thank you for your videos, I came upon them this week. I'm so glad you are ok!🙏❤️ I started prepping during C0vid, but with your suggestions I am going shift the focus to other things that need attention. Thank you!! Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom!!❤️

[@amandazplace5663]

I can honestly say that watching your videos during this aweful time has been a great lesson for me. In Canada, we have weeks & weeks in winter where no power would equal certain death! Its THAT cold. I think we need to look into purchasing a generator for a heat source. I'm not worried about cooking or stockpiling food. Honestly, a situation THIS stressful, I cant see my family being very hungry. I feel I could just stock up on bottled water and simple protein/carbs like canned beans in sauce. Hopefully, a two month supply would be adequate for survival until help arrives.🥶 Continuing to pray for you all.🙏♥️🇨🇦

[@olennnnna]

fellow canadian here !

[@amandazplace5663]

@@olennnnna 👋👋🥰♥️🇨🇦

[@HeavenlyMindedHome]

I think many of us are going to be quite prepared moving forward.... thank you Lord for your lessons! :) XOXO

[@cherylwall-n9f]

I'm also on a well. With my upright freezer i keep 10 to 12 2liter bottles filled with water . I can then load food on top. 2 fold help. I now have drinking water and helps keep food frozen longer.

[@LisaTurner-d1b]

If you are using frozen water in containers to keep things in your freezer frozen longer then you need to put the containers on top of the food not the bottom. Cold air sinks and if it's on the bottom of your freezer it is unless.

[@Cthomas5678]

@@LisaTurner-d1bgood to know bc I keep 2 liters of frozen water in my deep freezer too but didn’t know about putting them on top so thanks!!❤

[@reetayoung]

There's no way you could have prepared for something as unexpected as this

[@JohnWilliams-wz9vk]

She should .wipe .after..pissing

[@fancystitch6478]

I have used 4 cinder blocks and the rack from kitchen range to cook on outdoors in an emergency situation.

[@suseanneegoulet1033]

Practice your plans, use your backup equipment. You need to KNOW things will work when you need them.

[@lydiaajohnson]

You’re a beautiful soul.

[@deborahvorderbruggen8472]

Continued prayers!!! Hopefully you have power on now through the cleanup 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@GodisInYourJobSearch]

All things the Lord has put on my heart the last few months including walkie talkies Lot of confirmation here. Thank u!

[@yournaturalnurse]

Thank you for this video Heidi even when this storm was devastating

[@cnewkirk7171]

Great overview. Helped me rethink some of my current prep. Gonna add a few things, for sure. Thank you.

[@TheSpottedBoot]

Jess from Roots and Refuge is planning on starting an off grid monthly weekend with her family. It is a good practice run as well as will make it more of a rote routine in the event of disaster or prolonged outages. She found it drew her family closer together too being gadget free so why not? Win, win. Disaster drills are better than reinventing the wheel each time from memory

[@HeavenlyMindedHome]

I LOVE this! Our family had been discussing the same thing- I think it's a great idea!

[@i2sky532]

What a fantastic idea!

[@chaiwithfarmgirl]

That is the way to GO! We lost power ON Thanksgiving day 2 years ago...all our neighbors left the area becaus they were trying to host and couldn't, some of them rented airbnb's!! We have a wood cook stove and had our birds in the oven by the time the power went off, we had the most wonderful day, our kids constantly ask us to do our annual "power off" Thanksgiving now...but once a month off grid weekends is BRILLIANT! That is how you learn about gaps in how you plan;]

[@ckl5801]

It takes some practice for sure

[@DH0209]

Great video! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Please keep sharing your lessons learned to help others. I’m excited to see what you guys implement for if/when this happens again.

[@brendahowell5946]

Solar lights from the company sent you was God watching over you!

[@GodisInYourJobSearch]

Yessss

[@lynlyn4539]

Thank you so much for sharing. Im sorry for the lose of life and homes and devistastion in the line of this hurricane. Praying for you all.

[@Grandytoon]

What a positive and practical video, best I've seen over the past couple of weeks. Last week, for my family I bought several windup/ solar/ battery operated clock radios that can be tuned to NOAA, SW, AM and FM stations. They can also be charged with USB ports, and have flashlights and sirens. Now I'm curious about having hand pump for my well and plan to research that.

[@betsygodwin8938]

I have been following your videos. I am up in Chicago. And you are right, you guys are not getting any media attention. Florida is getting all of the attention. Everybody deserves attention!!! I feel like especially you guys need more media with the unprecedented amount of water inundation and then the mudslides. And some of the areas being so isolated. My nephew and I are thinking of coming to North Carolina to help and volunteer.

[@singerjo5791]

Tennessee is getting no attention.

[@robertbarnum7541]

Helene has put W. North Carolina ahead of the curve, because you are going to act on what you have learned. When the bigger things happen wherever, you can survive and help lead the way ahead. PS, in your network, only a few will need to have hand pumped wells, etc, because you will share your resources with your friends and neighbors.

[@chaiwithfarmgirl]

Thank you for sharing this, so helpful...I do believe Abba has used this to give the rest of us idea and details for whatever happens next...Abba has told me to be prepared to live like the 1800s pioneers...been trying to prepare for that for a long time, but you just don't know your gaps until you are FORCED to live like that!!

[@nancydc9422]

Love the sweater

[@lelilaplays]

This was super helpful for knowing both how to specifically pray and what we can do to help, as well as what to consider for prepping (we live in SoCal, our main concerns here are earthquakes and fires). Really glad I found your channel so I can follow the updates and needs and ways to pray!

[@doukasfarms]

Dutch ovens and cast iron pans are fantastic to cook with and on an everyday basis, but are even more valuable when you have to cook over an open flame. Good skills and tools to have. A generator with back up fuel tanks are helpful too. Our last house was wired to hook up to a generator and easily switch our power over to it. That is next on the list for our new place so we can run water, keep our freezers cold etc… when power is out. Love your idea of a hand pump to the well that’s what I would really like too.

[@sandiriggs6300]

Been praying for you. You are such a blessing. 😊❤

[@KatMcLean-si3vs]

Prayers for health and safety 🙏❤️🙏

[@lisaaskew6281]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Really the lack of communication was isolating. No power in SC first time ever. We are also on a well with animals. Luckily we made it through but we are going to make sure our household is prepared as we enter winter

[@briancook3749]

We are on a well,too. Our back up water supply is now food grade totes set up to collect rain water. Most of the totes are 275 gallons each.

[@estherlongly6557]

Thank you!! Well done!

[@paulaclark3492]

Thank you!

[@cluckieschickens]

It amazed me how many people up there have electric appliances. Here in MN, you just cannot afford it. Everyone i know it's on gas, propane or natural gas... or wood.

[@sarahschreffler5407]

Honestly -- what Helene does to NC is the kind of disaster that it is hard to properly prepare for. The best you can do is to be as self sufficient as possible (and, as you mentioned -- you are affected still by your creek being contaminated by stuff going out of your control)

[@w.o.spivey8863]

Bless you!!

[@Matthew_Loutner]

I always have large buckets beside the house to catch water. They fill up in two or three rains. Then I move the water to jugs and put bleach or baking soda in. There are no fancy pipes involved. Just some buckets.

[@janeserovy666]

In northern Indiana, we have a lot of weekend rendezvous. Campers are set up around the year 1812. They all have complete sets of campfire cooking utensils. Complete with racks to hold cast iron pots over the campfire. They can cook a complete meal on the campfire. Thanks for the video.

[@AliciaSmith-mz1cx]

I learned by watching your 25:58 videos that Starlink is good to have and have Candles!!!!

[@eddiewheeler-yv4cz]

Thank you for sharing

[@joyfox4871]

Re: water source. You’re well sounds awesome. I heard a great idea from someone who had a solar panel and generator and would periodically run their well pump and fill up containers and the hot water heater and would pull that water for use and then do it all again when it ran out. I thought that sounded like a very resourceful idea. Maybe it would help y’all in the future.

[@disposabull]

You live in a forest surrounded by wood and twigs. A wood fired rocket stove is cheap and will let you boil water or cook until the trees runout.

[@singerjo5791]

On an earlier video she said they were boiling water. This video is about things they wish they had before hand.

[@intothemystic3374]

Rocket stoves are great backup heat. Easy to build, use and great for those who cant chop wood. The radiant heat is a big plus.

[@willamettehops]

We have a solar well pump that pumps the water up to a large water tank. Our tank is on the hill, but you could do similar even on flat land to provide your family with emergency water.

[@martinapoggenpohl4125]

Aluminum foil in layers wrapped around & on the bottom of your pans. I cook on a firepit frequently. It protects them from soot & smoke staining.

[@sacredmommyhood]

I have really appreciated watching first-hand accounts of families dealing with aftermath scenarios. While we are prepared in many areas, we have holes. Currently, we do not own a generator (working on that!), so losing our fridges/freezers are a concern. I have been working toward getting as much OUT of my freezers and canned into shelf-stable foods. When you mentioned being carnivore, this would be a great way to prepare. I'm new to your channel, so I don't know if you can, but getting plenty of canned protein on the shelf will go a long way. I have always canned chicken (from meat birds we raise and process on our farm), but I'm expanding to other proteins to have as a backup. Thank you for sharing your experiences! They are so helpful!

[@privatesuzie4071]

Your information would be critical to every community, local and county and state and federal….if you weren’t prepared, I suspect even the experts on up the food chain can learn a lot….churches have traditionally been providers for a community at every level….maybe as part of your new preparedness plan, there are official positions pastor eg., , for people to contact other organizations and people to get things done….we had a very active neighborhood watch captain who updated every year member rosters, local contact info for power (who had generators eg., or pantries of canned food and water…location of gas lines to shut off)…your little community will monitor itself and be more effective the more organized you can be. Your ability to do this has to be communicated very specifically to the state where you will be entitled to max resources …developing local contact people to be in charge will help you recover…your video is very important SOS.. This was such a thoughtful astute way to help us SEE YOU…HEAR YOU…writing from earthquake and fire country….🙏🏼

[@able880]

When she commented on how dark it can be even in the country when the power is out every were - When you live in the country you can see clouds above citys 40 miles away glowing at night from all the street lights in the citys - I live in the deep south and rode out many huricannes - hurricanes at times knock out power in entire towns After a storm the sky can get real dark when citys and towns go dark--

[@kathymoorehead7827]

She starts at 6:50 timestamp if you want to skip an almost 7 minute intro.

[@stacysmith4087]

Love your videos! So glad you all are ok! ❤️🙏❤️ Love your sweater! Such a pretty color on you. Where did you get it? Prayers for you all and your community.

[@pmars142]

I love her sweater, too, & wondered where she got it.

[@erindixon2877]

I will never have an electric stove. I hated them growing up and still do. Our kitchen is set up for a propane stove that has been very helpful when we’ve lost power and needed to heat things up or cook a meal. We do need to get a generator and are looking in to it but haven’t been able to get the one we want in our area.

[@brockreynolds870]

In regards to communications, do NOT rely on a cellphone!!! That is why I will never give up my landline EVER.

[@inthesticks1298]

Something's that came to mind. Water - I've never used this personally, but there is a non electric pump called a "water ram". If applicable, it would be less tasking and more efficient than a hand pump. Communications - amateur radio. All it takes is a 35 question test and it opens up access on all ham bands from 6 meters on up into the microwave bands. The 2 meter repeater on Mt. Mitchell, among many others, was used heavily. A non licensed opinion is GMRS. Its not as extensively used but many users have installed repeaters which extend the capacity of both mobiles and handhelds.

[@ritad.franklin6372]

Some of us think these things are going to be over fairly soon. Many of us think these things may actually become a new way of life. This is serious business to consider. The US is in battles with numerous nations currently and internally as well. Water catchment system is very, important. It may take some Communities up to four years to regain their water systems.

[@cherylallis2458]

Biden, on Sept. 27 updated a DoD directive to make it possible for our own military to use lethal force against us, yes, Americans. In addition, the 53 page document enables him to set up martial law for any "emergency" he wants to declare. The doc also specifies, with illustrations, the symbols "domestic terrorists" wear are things like the liberty tree flag, and other symbols we used during our revolutionary War. The administration is telling us there will be violence after election day. What are they planning?

[@jvin248]

You can use fire ash to scrub off your smoked stainless kitchen pots and pans you used (you mentioned they were 'ruined').

[@happycamper47]

For $125 one can buy an outdoor wood cook stove. All you need to work it is a wood pile and the ability to split wood small. It can be used under a roof with a little prep for good venting.

[@elissapoh7782]

If you rub dish soap on the outside of your pot before you put it on the open fire the soot will just wash right off. Even if they are covered in charcoal now I would still do it because it may still come off.

[@katie27320]

A layer of dish detergent on the bottom of your pots will help protect them when cooking over an open flame.

[@Gracie-SavedByGrace]

Thank you sharing your insights based on first hand experience! As far as phone services, Cricket uses the AT&T network and Mint mobile uses T-Mobile.

[@Danielily1]

You need a solar charging generator You need a rocket stove Get camping equipment Get a yurt for the cold. Look into Aircrete to build a building for the winter.

[@lynnfiegl4953]

There is always going to be the should have, could have, would have but no matter how prepared you are, nobody could have predicted what has happened to all of you!! The only way to truly prepare for any situation is by knowing God and living as best you can with him in your life and heart. When I was a kid we lived in NY state. We had farm animals, we had a garden and canned food for the winter, we had wood stoves and fireplace for heat. I remember in the blizzard of 1979, we were snowed in for 2 weeks. We survived because we were prepared. What we didn’t plan for was a freak blizzard one night that caused our house to catch on fire. I was almost 9 years old. I woke up choking on smoke. I woke up my sister, then woke up my Mom and stepdad and my other sister and 2 brothers. We had a 2 story house. No smoke detectors because it was 1979. My Mom told me to grab my baby brother and go to the neighbors house across the road. No phones because of the storm, no power. Sadly, my Mom, oldest sister and brother died in that fire. I don’t know why they didn’t get out. We lost everything and more. But my Grandparents took us in and raised us. I had survivors guilt. I asked God WHY?? I’m 54 and live in Monroe, NC since I was 10. I still trust God and always will. I don’t know what the future holds but it will always hold God! Praying for all those who have been affected by this devastating event. Keep God in your heart, because with him all is possible!! ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@butterbean4195]

to me 1st thing is food/water after that shelter then communication big time.. not just a little am/fm radio im talking about a gmrs system (base, mobile, hand held) CB radios and if your willing to study some get your Amateur radio license.. these where the 1st and only contact people had out of the area for several days and still is for some back in the mountains..2way radios have saved many life's in this storm..good luck and stay safe

[@rlwoods61]

In or area, if you don't have internet you don't have cell service. Sine Helene several of out neighbors have gone to Starlink. A little more expensive but it worked!

[@handyman28635]

Look into a cb radio for you vehicle. With the right antenna you can reach out many many miles.

[@ritad.franklin6372]

In the event the US is getting attacked by Ru- - - - or any other country, please remove all external lights so you will not be a target. This is very important. Black out all lights and inside lights with black out curtains. This can save your family.

[@tech-test-break-fix]

A nearly free prep is to water bath can water in empty mason jars. it will last indefinitely and a lot of people have empty mason jars sitting somewhere collecting dust.

[@mandelharvey3429]

Magazines are excellent for cooking. Better than charcoal for cooking. Not charcoal flavor but consistent heat.

[@kevindecoteau3186]

I took your advice from on of your videos where you said have cash on hand, the following morning I went to the ATM and made a withdrawal.