General Care Discussion :: Extreme weather

[Selera]

Okay I'm still new to having a turtle but I am also new to the weather I'm about to go through. What I want to know is is there anything we should do to Snappy's tank before Fay hits? It's only a tropical storm warning but from what Hubby heard it's getting much worse very quickly.

[untsmurf]

Is this an outdoor pond?

[Selera]

Thank fully no. *Sighs* She's an indoor tank keeper. Big Rubbermaid container tank to be exact though we are getting her a bigger one once summer is over. It's just she's in the living room where there are lots of Windows and things and I guess I'm just being a worryer since it's the first time I'll go through this type of weather.

[untsmurf]

Well, if you think the storm could break your windows, you're going to want to either board them up and/or move the tank away from them.

[Selera]

I don't know if they will or not. I'm hoping they don't... Like I said I'm just worrying right now. I just stored extreme amounts of water bottled in case we lose our water. The other problem is we don't have a generator and we may lose power.

[megcornell]

My biggest concern would be if the power is out for an extended period of time. You can buy battery powered generators, but they may not last the whole time, so your turtle would just be without a filter and lights for a few days. I really don't think it would be that big of a deal to the turtle.

However, since you live in florida and I suspect hurricane evacuations are somewhat common, maybe you can start collecting a turtle evacuation kit. I'd get an easy to transport tank (like a 20L) basking dock, heater, and lights. You could get a filter as well, but I'd cover the short-term necessities first. That way if a big storm is coming you're all prepared to leave.

[untsmurf]

If the power goes out, your turtle will live. You can just take him outside to bask (after the storm obviously) until the lights come back on. You'll just have to clean the tank by hand until the power comes on. Unless the power is out for weeks on end, you'll be fine. It's not cold there, so you won't need your water heaters for a while, so you'll be okay.

[Selera]

Shouldn't be that much. From what I've been checking Fay is at most only gonna be a cat 1. And well we are not in the path of the eye. So hopefully you are all right and we will start to get an emergency pack made for Snappy. ^^ My hubby has never evacuated before *Rolls eyes* He's a native Floridian and even rode out the Cat 5 a few years ago here in Port Orange.

[mat012]

Get a surge protector as well. You dont want the storm to knock out your $40 bulb or harm your filter. Fill up your gas tank too. A lot of folks ran out of gas evacuating from Rita here last year. A friend of ours knew a dog breeder that lost 10 of his 13 dogs because he evacuated, ran out of gas and didnt have enough water for the dogs in the heat (near 100* temps). Rita was a fiasco though in terms of evaluation, so that is an extreme case. But even if you evacuate, you have to be prepared at least with enough food and water like Meg said.

[Selera]

One don't have a vehicle.. and with 2 computers in the house as well as a few gaming systems we have plenty of surge protectors. If we have to evacuate will be taking the public transit style.. *Shudders*

[mat012]

One don't have a vehicle.. and with 2 computers in the house as well as a few gaming systems we have plenty of surge protectors. If we have to evacuate will be taking the public transit style.. *Shudders*

I envy you though - I used to live in Boston with no car and loved it! I hate to drive, stuck cant do anything else.

On the storm - it doesnt sound like it will be that bad. The media make these things out to be worse than they really are most of the time. Although I can just imagine taking a turtle on a bus! That would be a sight to see! Good luck!

[Selera]

Thanx and all of you have cleared some of my fears for little Snappy.. well not so little.. *looks at the 7 inch turtle*

I know what you mean I hate driving to.