FLORIDA — Longtime Floridians can be notoriously lax when it comes to preparing for a hurricane.

Yeah, we’ve got our batteries and our water and maybe, if we can afford it, our generator. But those cliches about only stocking up on beer before a big blow came from somewhere — particularly in Tampa Bay, where a major hurricane hasn’t hit in a century, and even a storm as disruptive (and as lethal to nursing home residents) as 2017’s Hurricane Irma was viewed by many as an inconvenience.

But veterans of multiple storms have reason to be confident. They’ve learned multiple tricks and tips that aren’t on the usual checklists to help see them through storms — tricks and tips that the nearly 330,000 people who moved to Florida between April 2020 and April 2021 might not know.

With Hurricane Elsa now a major storm that could potentially impact the Sunshine State, we reached out to our readers and viewers, asking what they would tell newcomers to Florida to do in anticipation of a direct hit. Among the many, many cheeky responses suggesting that Florida newbies either move back north or stock up on liquor (yeah, you’re not the only one who made that joke) were some truly useful tidbits.

The number one tip? Buy some battery-powered fans to have on hand if the power goes out. No power means no AC or ceiling fans, and those of us who went multiple days without electricity after Irma remember suffering in sweltering heat. 

Freezing bottles of water came in at a close second. This easy hack does double-duty — it’ll keep your food and drinks cold, and provide extra drinking water as it melts. Multiple commenters also mentioned picking up anything in your yard light enough to become a projectile in high winds; throwing your patio furniture into the pool as a tropical storm approaches is a classic (and fun!) Florida tradition.

Commenter Gail Yung Hannas of Land O’ Lakes offers this advice regarding important personal documents: “At the beginning of the hurricane season, I collect important papers, photos and documents that I would need in an emergency (if displaced from my home for an extended period of time) and store them in a tote box with a lid. I keep the box ready to go in case of evacuation. I call it my ‘grab and go’ box.”

Filling your tub with water for flushing the toilet or drinking in a pinch is another well-known tactic. One Twitter commenter wrote, "They make bathtub 'bladders' to fill with water. Some can hold 100+ gallons. If handled correctly the water can remain 'potable or safe.' Even if not handled correctly, it can be used for bathing and toilet water." Another wrote simply, "Gas-powered chainsaw."

Here are some of the other tips we received:

• Always know if you’re in a flood zone, and which flood zone
• Make sure you’ve got a full tank of gas in your vehicle
• If you’re in a flood zone, consider moving your vehicle to higher ground
• If you don’t have storm shutters, measure your windows and pre-cut and pre-drill plywood window covers
• Keep non-electronic games on hand for the kids in case the power goes out

Finally, check out these responses we received via Twitter. Consider your individual and family needs, be prepared, and stay safe out there.