Welcome! Storms are always far more "fun" to follow when you ~~are afraid you are going to die~~ have skin in the game.
Let's see. Sales tax relief week starts May 31. Get some lanterns like these, which are awesome. And make sure you get flood insurance. If you are renting, make sure you get rental insurance.
Good luck! Hurricanes honestly bring out the best in Floridians, so when the big one is coming, we do pull together.
I saw these posted here a week or so ago. I had to pick up a 4 pack. I’m gonna keep one and give the other 3 away. I predict a rough winter, so these might come in handy. Here is a link to the Amazon price: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C5QSENQ
First impressions are positive, simple to use and plenty bright enough for lighting a room.
You could try looking for a group of other people that are also sleeping in their cars as there is safety in numbers. I know that my aunt regularly talks to one homeless guy that lives in his car in a parking lot that has a McDonald's and a Carl's Jr.
They all park towards the rear of the lot so as to not piss off the fast food workers and they help watch each others backs.
Another suggestion would be for you to order a LuminAid Nova Lantern from Amazon before you end up in your car. The beauty of this little device is that it will give you upto 24 hours of light on a single charge and you can either charge it in the sun for 10 hours or plug it into a wall outlet for 1 hour.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716JV1SG <-- cost is $20
Also if you can afford to spend about $50 then you might want to invest in a car jumper like the one link below to have on hand just in case you run into a situation where you have completely drained the battery and cant get the car started.
https://www.amazon.com/14000mAh-Portable-Emergency-Flashlight-Protected/dp/B072BLJF49
I got a set of these for my folks in case of rolling black outs. So far only had to use it once, batteries lasted overnight. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPLSZF8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_lhbzFb2QCCFNM
I have this from Amazon for $20. I hang it off the ol "oh shit" handle which is about 4 inches from my head when I sleep. The lowest setting goes all night and has worked to keep me cool enough to sleep so far. As it gets hotter, I may have to turn it up but we'll see. I put it on the charger first thing when I get up so it's definitely good to go each night.
Also, I use a small wash cloth, get it fairly wet, fold it up and put it on my forehead/neck. It's just room temp water but it still helps a lot.
I’m a big fan of Luci lights. They’re inflatable LED lanterns with built-in solar chargers so you don’t have to worry about burning through batteries. They’re super bright, inflatable so they flatten when not in use and only cost $17.
Here’s a link to the ones I got: MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074NQLRTF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_78gzFbY19GXWF
Limited-time deal: Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan - Hurricane Emergency Survival Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016HM7QRE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_dl_P15SBVM0YC4QB0QPTFRN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lanterns | Great for Camping, Hurricane Emergency Kits and Travel | As Seen on Shark Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JV1SG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GHG9XAXXX6GP5G8YAT0Z
Also same! Just looked up monthly average for the weekend in Chillicothe and it is 86 degrees O.O
I ordered a D battery LED light/fan for the tent haha. https://www.amazon.com/Odoland-Portable-Camping-Lantern-Ceiling/dp/B016HM7QRE/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=led+fan&qid=1622554784&sr=8-4
the "top reviews" on Amazon don't speak well for this item:
BERTHILIA PEETERS 1.0 out of 5 starsDisappointed November 5, 2017 Color: WhiteSize: Powered by Solar or USBVerified Purchase We purchased many of these solar lights to be used in the BVI post hurricane Irma and are very disappointed with many of the lights. Have been using for 6 weeks and out of 16 only 5 are still working. Several no longer stay inflated and all of the 11 which no longer work will no longer take a charge. We bought 55 of these lights to give to people in need and now would never recommend to anyone. 75 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse Amazon Customer 1.0 out of 5 starsLOVED it when it worked for those 7 times September 27, 2017 Color: WhiteSize: Powered by Solar or USBVerified Purchase I have had this lantern for exactly 35 days and have used it a total of 7 times and it is now suddenly not working. Extremely unhappy with this purchase, as it is just a few days out of return window. LOVED it when it worked for those 7 times... I'd definitely recommend buying another brand. 30 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse B. Shively 1.0 out of 5 starsNeeds a Manufacturing Fix November 1, 2017 Color: Multi-ColoredSize: Powered by SolarVerified Purchase Total waste of money. The solar charging is only useful 5 times, and then it dies. I bought several and every one has failed the same way. All that is needed is a chip to keep it from overcharging and killing itself. No way to repair or restore. Good idea, bad execution. Hey, put the chip on the board and make this right guys! Only then will it be a decent product for the price. Bad Deal ☹️ 18 people found this helpful
You’ve already got lots of great suggestions, but just in case, here’s one more:
Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan - Hurricane Emergency Survival Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016HM7QRE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S34WQJ8SJPT8D6XKJJFS
This is the lantern I bought a few years ago, and it works great for me. It's waterproof and lightweight, and can be deflated to pack down pretty small. The solar panel charger seems to work even on cloudy days, and it also charges using a micro-usb. It has 4 levels of brightness. It's top-heavy since the light, battery, and charger are all on top, but it's got a fairly resilient carry strap that can be used to hang it up. On the lowest setting I've had it run for 7-10 nights in a row before it needed to be recharged.
Not the cheapest price out there, but if you have Amazon gift cards, like OP, it's not a bad idea.
Thorfire sells them direct on Amazon, right now 20% off (so like $60) EDIT: Link
> I was extremely careful not to burn down the place.
Candles are dangerous firestarters. ESPECIALLY in an apartment building - y'know - where dozens to hundreds of additional units could be incinerated.
Sure, I have a crate of votive candles in reserve ... but it's, like, Number Five down the "backup to my backup to my contingency to Plan C" .... Only in DESPARATE situation will I resort to regular use of open flame.
I'm rural. We have no Fire Department here. The Volunteers are a cool 40 minutes away in any emergency. From our bedroo window, in less than 2 decades, we've watched not one, but TWO homes burn. One was a total loss. The other they only lost the upper half and rebuilt.
THIS is my Number One emergency lighting recommendation for short-term use. I can't imagine it'll last decades but with proper handling and care it oughta be good for several years.
There are lots of usb powered leds on Amazon for dirt cheap if that’s what you desire. I love my $10 lantern light, the warm white is a great tint: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QX096L0 and there are a bunch of flash drive sized ones that you can get by the dozen in different color temps.
If it's summer, how hot does it get? Do you rely on AC? Because that would be a concern with candles and cooking. You don't want flames inside if it's hot. (And are you sure your gas stove runs when there is no power? The newer ones apparently need electricity. Better to find out now.)
I'm in Florida, so my power loss prep is geared for the summer, too. (Hurricanes.) I find camping gear to be wonderful.
Instead of candles, I do little LED lanterns. They last forever and are really bright.
For cooking, I do a camp stove that runs on butane. I set mine up on the front porch, and it worked a charm.
And if you need to be cool or at least circulate air, a 10 in battery-operated fan is wonderful.
I bought this fan and i love it, it has a quiet gentle low setting and then a higher one. Plus a light. Takes two D batteries. camping fan and light
I picked up one of these lights in the "warm white" version for the same reason. The stock lights are too much when you want to chill out and relax. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QX096L0?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
There's little chargeable ceiling fans. I got one but haven't had the chance to test it out. I bought it for a camping trip to Moab but that was for a day after the place got flooded so I postponed my trip. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TCLB39D?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details
I use this one. A bit bulky, but works for me. Plus I can angle it where I want it to blow. Helps keep things cool in the tent when I'm sharing the bed with two large dogs.
Also get these, they are amazing. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TCLB39D/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_WRCC05JBHD5WWDJ8DZ6R_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TCLB39D?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This fan has saved me! I definitely recommend it. I place it on my console and have it blow air towards the back. I only open the current about 2 inches.
Thing above stove is a pull out lantern, I believe. I have a couple for car camping, and they are ok for that, but they're very heavy and unnecessary.
I will admit that I'm pretty new to this one myself but I specifically bought it for the dugout of the little league team that I coach when we were having 100F games in Colorado as a means of keeping the little guys a little cooler during some weekend doubleheaders. So in that context they worked great and it was in the open air (as opposed to a closed space of a van) and was pleased with them. I would go with 2 though.
I'm linking to specifically the brand and ones that I bought but I'm sure they are just some random China made direct import to Amazon so I have no doubt that others would work fine too. But in this case the price may be right.
I'm a hammock sleeper - especially at summer camp when it's 95 and humid during the day and we're lucky if it dips to 70 at night - and one of my summer camp essentials is a little combination fan / light. I think I use this one. I hang it from my hammock ridgeline and it serves both as a great light and a way to keep myself relatively cool on the warm nights after sweating all day.
I got this last year and have used extensively. Very happy with it. Nice soft light.
Candles are great during the winter but hellacious in the summer. Candles are a heat source and if you lose power during a heat wave, you do NOT want more heat in your house. Plus fire danger and smoke and lack of ventilation...
I go with those small LED camping lanterns. Get these and a big pack of AA batteries, and you're set for days.
I also go for battery operated pillar candles. They operate on a timer so 6 hrs on, 18 hrs off. A few are enough to light a room in a nice ambience and they work daily for a few months.