In Hammond, LA, do I open my windows when the high wind starts?

[Chomskyite]

Or do I not? They're saying we could get gusts up to 90 mph here. Could the pressure build up inside an apartment and explode the whole thing if there's no window open?

[Birthmark]

1. NO!

Do NOT open your windows. There is no danger of "pressure building up." If you let the wind in, it will destroy your home. DON'T open the windows!

[The Traveler]

2. I'd open a window just a tad

Just to even things out. STAY AWAY FROM THE GLASS!! In fact, build yerself a nest in the most windowless area of your apartment. Cushions, couches, whatever ... think about how you can buffer yourself from fying crap if things go really bad.

Good luck! Blessed be ...

On edit: That other poster is probably right. But the big risk either way is flying debris and breaking glass ...

[Chomskyite]

3. I taped all three up with duct tape

Taped up the bottom of my front door too. I aint going out for a while, man. Got my batteries, got my water, got my cat food, got my peanut butter and vitamins and xanax. I think I can handle it getting up to 70, but 90 . . . boy I dunno.

[The Traveler]

4. What floor are you on? (n/t)

[lavenderdiva]

7. Your windows should be taped, at the very least in an 'X' pattern,

and at best, in a 'star' pattern. This will minimize shattering glass, should things get to that stage. You should thoroughly clean your bathtub out, and then fill it up with water. You may need it for a number of things: flushing the toilet, bathing (you just use a little of it to 'bathe', we used to call it more like 'spit baths'), cooking. Should you lose power, please do not open your refrigerator doors or freezer doors any more than you absolutely have to. This way, any perishable foods will keep longer.

The winds are currently at 160 MPH. Is there any where you can go?

[Chomskyite]

8. The Hammond forecast tops us out at 90 mph gusts

. . . but you never know. It depends on how the eye "jogs."

[Zen Democrat]

5. No. I've been through a couple of hurricanes --

and when the big winds come, go to an inner part of your residence, either a room without windows or a hallway. If you can board up windows, or tape them with masking tape, do so. I went through Carla and Alicia -- but they weren't Cat 5's by any means. Fill your bathtub with water. Water is the most precious commodity following a hurricane. Also, you may need it to flush toilets.

[NYC]

6. Close windows.

I read earlier that there is not a pressure problem because houses are not airtight. Flying debris is far more dangerous; therefore, your windows and doors should be tightly closed.

Best of luck.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. On Windows . . . and Water

.
.
.

Board them up if you can

Tape them if that's all you got

Then cover them wit pillows, hang sheets/blankets, anything to slow down possible flying glass

prop up Stereo/entertainment shevles, beds, anything moveable in front of windows

AND

like others have suggested - fill everything you can with water

even dump out garbage cans and line them with large plastic bags

even a clothes hamper with a plastic bag in it will become a resevoir

WATER WILL be more valuable than gold should water service be disrupted

So I don't hafta tell ya not to flush 4 gallons of water away every time you pee . .

right?

[benito]

10. The mayor of Hammond

said on the news that 100% of the homes in Hammond had wind or water damage. I was watching WBRZ in Baton Rouge this afternoon when I saw him say this. Hopefully Chomskyite is doing OK tonight.
The mayor also said that it would take at least a month to get power back up to pre-hurricane status.

dire indeed. It's gonna be in the 90's for the rest of the week.

[LSU_Subversive]

11. i used to live in hammond a few years ago. just a few blocks from SLU

how has it fared? how have you fared?

[bear425]

12. Are you okay? I stumbled upon your thread in du marketplace

and realized you're from Baton Rouge. I hope you're okay! Please let us know. :hug:

[Chomskyite]

13. Chomskyite is alive and well

No wind damage to this apartment building. I got power back the Wed. after the storm, and internet service back this past Thursday. In Hammond, even though the commercial districts have had power since last week, the stores still close at five and mail delivery has yet to resume. Small towns . . . what can you do?

[benito]

14. good to see you! Thanks for checking in!