Wow, Kimmi, GREAT advice. We have been doing a lot of the same, but some of what you said, I had never thought of before! You always get the insert in the Sunday paper 2-3 weeks before hurricane season that tells you how to prepare, but they don't mention those wonderful little tips (only the necessity-type things).

I could not agree more that having a lifeline to the media is crucial. During Charley, once the power went out and we lost our visual, we hung on every word of our local weathermen with our battery-operated radio. You just have no idea where the thing is or where it's headed, and that is mighty petrifying. The few times we could get cell service, we were calling family in Wisconsin and asking them, "Does it look like it's past us yet?" because it just seemed to take forever.

After Charley, we bought a combination radio/black & white TV that also has a built-in flashlight, siren, etc.

One thing I haven't been able to understand, though, is about the pressure inside your house - Kimmi, you mentioned "check the attic for vents or openings that could allow the pressure to “blow the top off.” Does that mean we should have everything tightly closed? Back during tornado season in Wisconsin, we were told to crack a couple windows open to allow the airflow and thus, alleviate the pressure. We did this during Charley too. When I told a friend about it later, he about chewed me out - he said THAT would be what would blow out our windows, blow the roof off, etc. Doesn't make sense to me...Kimmi, or anyone else, do you know what's best to do?

I hate to say it, but I'll add my tip to this: don't always trust what the Weather Channel says. Our local weatherman was lightyears ahead of them in predicting exactly where Charley was headed, and I have seen the same thing happen with other hurricanes after that. If we hadn't switched to our local stations, we still would have been thinking Charley was going to hit 2 hours north of us, around Tampa...they kept insisting it. It was ridiculous. When you can see the thing on satellite taking a strong turn, it's taking a strong turn. Who cares if your predictions were wrong - help those in its path while you still can.

All in Rita's path, you have been constantly in my prayers, and will continue to be throughout this ordeal. Please stay safe!!!