How to Host a Hurricane Party

Although hurricanes are a serious matter, a hurricane party can ease the stress by bringing friends, family and neighbors together. For those who live in Hurricane Alley, hosting or attending hurricane parties is a way of life. In some communities there are even Hurricane Party Awards given to those who host the best.

Typically, a hurricane party is hosted in a home large enough to accommodate several people for 3 to 5 days. It should be well-equipped with hurricane necessities such as gas-powered generator, food, water, first aid supplies, toilet paper, weather radio and walkie-talkies.

Oftentimes, guests bring hurricane supplies such as food, beverages, jugs of water, batteries, first aid kit, etc. It's also common for guests to bring their own flashlight and sleeping bag, along with a party item such as a board game, playing cards or coloring books and crayons.

Before you host a hurricane party it's important to gather emergency supplies, make certain all emergency gear is in good working order, and secure your home against damage. Invite a few guests who can assist you with these chores and ask them to arrive a day or two early. It's considerably more fun to have a few of your pals around as you batten down the hatches.

Next, consider the needs of your hurricane party guests. Will children be attending or will this be an adults-only party? Will drinking alcohol be encouraged or prohibited? Do any guests have medical concerns such as heart problems or diabetes? Will any of your guests bring pets? If so, do they have any special needs and are they socialized?

Hurricanes can be frightening to people of all ages, but are particularly difficult for young children, the elderly and pets. If your hurricane party attendees fall into any of these categories, it's a good idea to have some form of support plan in place. Prior to kicking off the party, gather all the guests and communicate your safety plan and allow everyone to voice their fears. Getting things out in the open from the beginning will make it easier to cope when the hurricane hits.

You want your hurricane party to reduce stress, and keep everyone occupied and safe before and during the storm. Hurricanes last for several hours and you might be without power for several hours; perhaps even days. Make sure you have plenty of things to do, particularly if young children are attending.

Board games are a must-have at hurricane parties. Games that take several hours to play are best suited for adults. Teens prefer games that can be completed in less than an hour, while kids under ten prefer fast-results games.

Scavenger hunts can keep people busy for hours and are particularly fun when a flashlight is required. You'll want to plan this activity ahead of time, so you can hide everything before the electricity goes out. For added fun, use a pirate theme and have guests wear bandanas or eye patches (best if used when the lights are on!). Create your scavenger hunt maps by printing them on parchment paper, then lightly burning the edges to create a frayed, worn-out look. Roll them up and tie with twine.

No hurricane party would be complete without food and beverages. However, you need to plan a menu that doesn't require cooking, refrigeration or freezing. If you have a generator and can run your appliances, this rule won't apply to you. You can serve anything you'd like at your hurricane party. But, those who have to sit in the dark with no power should plan accordingly.

Start by consuming the food in your refrigerator and freezer, as well as foods that need to be cooked. Eat the items that will spoil quickly when the power goes out. This gives you a great excuse to eat ice cream first! Frozen meat will last a day or two before it spoils. While in its solid state, frozen meat can double as ice packs and help keep other foods cold should you be without power for an extended period of time.

Comfort food is a necessity at hurricane parties. Serve foods such as macaroni and cheese, nachos with all the fixings, hamburgers, hotdogs and steaks. Chicken and dumplings, pasta dishes, and pizza are always a welcome addition to any hurricane party.

Cakes, pies, pastries, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, candy, potato chips, pretzels, popcorn and trail mix are all-time favorites at hurricane parties. And, let's not forget the highly popular Boiled Peanuts that are a must-have at any party, but particularly a hurricane party!

Hurricane party beverages include bottled water, soft drinks, iced tea and in some cases, alcoholic beverages. Fruit juices packaged in boxes or pouches and sports drinks are perfect for kids. Look for beverages that don't require refrigeration and consume any that are in your fridge; particularly fruit drinks and milk.

If you want to whip up some wild frozen concoctions, consider investing in a gas powered blender. Far from your average blender, the gas-powered TailGator blender can yield 6,500 frozen beverages per gallon of gas. In other words, it will be able to sustain hurricane parties for many years to come. The TailGator gas-powered blender can also be used to create smoothies, coffee drinks, salsa, dips and more. It's portable, easy to clean and makes for more fun than you can imagine!

Last, but not least, you need to have a little music for your hurricane party. Reggae and island music are well-suited choices; particularly Jimmy Buffet. In fact, you can create an entire Jimmy Buffet, "Margaritaville" theme for your hurricane party by visiting the online store at www.MargaritavilleStore.com. If anybody knows how to throw a hurricane party, it would be Jimmy Buffet. You can't go wrong with this choice!

Keep in mind that playing music through a CD player or "boom box" will quickly drain batteries. Make certain you have a good stock of batteries or only play the stereo when the power is working. Playing music during the storm can help calm nerves and keep spirits high; however, use common sense and always keep safety at the forefront.

Hurricane parties should be fun, yet safe. Keep a close ear toward the weather radio and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Be creative, be prepared, bring plenty of food, water and supplies, be safe and have fun!

When all is said and done, you will have a group of well-fed, happy people who can help you with any clean-up.