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Just like any good Frankenstein tale: mad scientist tinkers in his lab and raises the dead who, of course, decides to terrify the neighbors. It is befitting then that Hurricane Sandy which is currently heading for New York, is frightening everyone in her path. National Public Radio reports that “Sandy” has already left 40 dead in her wake.

A Perfect Storm
As reported on a number of news websites (see CNN, CBS News, FOX News and the National Weather Service, the so called, “Frankenstorm” is a possible weather model where Northeastern bound Hurricane Sandy collides with an Arctic storm moving South from Canada and the remains of a cold front that has swept across the nation from the West. Meteorologists say this is a perfect storm combination of weather patterns that only occurs approximately every 100 years.

Emergency Resources
Last year, a major storm in Los Angeles prompted us to write an article with tips to prepare your home and family in case of major storms, flooding, or emergency. FEMA is also tracking Hurricane Sandy and has posted additional preparedness instructions. Currently, the hurricane is scheduled to hit land on Monday, so readers still have 48 hours to prepare and check their flashlights, stock of batteries, gather extra food and water, stock up on your fire wood for heat, and discuss your evacuation and emergency plan with your family. Even if Sandy isn’t heading your way, she serves as a good reminder that the best time to plan for an emergency is before it happens.

Are we headed towards a “doomsday”?
I caught a doomsday preacher on YouTube recently discussing various grills that require fire wood, charcoal, or propane. He was encouraging his followers to be prepared for emergency situations where you may need to cook for your family for three days or more. Actually, he believes our country is heading for a massive economic decline that could potentially paralyze our retail food chains. In the case of a biblical doomsday, he wants to be ready. That’s another story, but it does beg us all to question our own sustainability in the event of a major power outage.

Cooking without Power
How would you handle a power outage if you were affected by the “Frankenstorm”?
Do you have an outdoor grill or fire pit?
Do you have pots and pans that can sustain the heat levels of grills and fire pits such as cast-iron? The Teflon covered pans used most readily in our households today with plastic handles and coating are not conducive to the unpredictable campfire heat levels and grill surfaces.

Summitoutdoors is a distributor of Volcano Grills and cast-iron cookware. I own one of the vintage Volcano Grills, but I am enjoying the flexibility of the new collapsible design. I have been preparing several meals a week during the past month or so testing out everyday recipes and preparing them outdoors using the cast-iron dutchovens and pans. Taking this time to learn how to adjust the cooking vents on the Volcano Grill for varying recipes makes me feel better prepared to feed my family should we lose power. The Volcano is compatible with wood fuel, charcoal, or propane.

Summitoutdoors Video Review of the Collapsible Volcano Grill

How have you prepared yourself or your family for disaster? Do have your emergency supplies stored in an easily accessible area of your car or home? Time to check!

Be safe everyone.