I cannot focus. We have Hurricane Florence bearing down on us.

She is big, bold and fearless..just like Florence Broadhurst…

I am not quite as fond of this Florence as we have cancelled our trip to amazing San Miguel de Allende fearing it is frowned upon to leave our children unattended in a hurricane… Parenting…ugh.

Anyway, I am glued to the TV watching the Weather Channel waiting for the hurricane to reach us. So if I go dark…you will know why. This seems like the appropriate thing to do while we wait…drink.

Lets have A Hurricane Party via Pat O’Briens

For those brave few that choose to hunker down and ride it out instead of evacuating in the path of an oncoming hurricane, a hurricane party is the way to go. A hurricane party is a social event held by people who live in hurricane valley between Maine and Texas.

The event is held during a hurricane just as any other party would. However the guests are typically allowed to stay with the host for 3–5 days (weather permitting) and guests, in return, bring hurricane supplies such as radios, food, etc. Events are held by people who, for differing reasons, cannot evacuate during a hurricane warning. Hosts may also lack hurricane supplies, therefore they invite others to stay with them so as to share supplies and company.

Another rationale for hosting hurricane parties is the expectation that power service may be lost for days or even weeks. As a result most perishable items, particularly frozen meats, will surely be wasted after the storm. In order to make good use of these items, grilling is an important aspect of many hurricane parties, as a way of “cleaning out the freezer.”

Although the guests are expected to bring survival kits and other materials such as food and electronic equipment, the host is primarily responsible for supplying a minimal amount of each for all guests involved. The host will also be required to have enough space in his/her house for the people invited, as well as having prepared the house for the coming hurricane (i.e. window boarding).

That is what it is, but here’s what you do.

So to prepare, make sure you have all the essentials needed for power outages, such as flashlights, candles, trash bags, bottled water and, of course, alcohol. Fill the pantry will non perishable foods and fill several ice chests with ice for any refrigerated food items.

Gather together all of your friends who have not chosen to leave town and decide in whose home you will be staying. Groups should not include children and there should be no more than 10 people per home. Guests should bring enough clothing and food for several days. Everyone should pitch in to bring necessary items for an extended indoor campout, including the ingredients for hurricane drinks.

Hurricane Recipe:

• 1 oz vodka

• 1/4 oz grenadine
• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
• 1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
• 1 oz triple sec
• grapefruit juice

• pineapple juice

Directions
Fill a hurricane (or any other tall glass) 3/4 full with ice.
Pour all the alcohols in first, then follow with equal parts of grapefruit and pineapple juice.
Serve and enjoy! (For those not drinking alcohol, you can use sprite and orange).

If you’re not a hurricane drinker, try a Bloody Mary. Or best yet, have both.

The hurricane drink is extremely powerful, so you should have plenty of snacks on hand to serve. If you want to continue a New Orleans theme, you can serve grilled sausage or shrimp, as well. Simple snacks such as pepper jack cheese served on crackers would also be appropriate. Cajun or creole music is a good addition to a New Orleans/Hurricane party, provided you still have the electricity to play it. All food should be served on paper plates, since there may also be a water shortage.

All you need for an amazing hurricane party is an infamous drink made popular in New Orleans, a power outage, high speed winds and a deserted!

It is not advised to stay in town and ride out a hurricane that is more than a category 2. These storms can be powerful and destructive and getting stranded for weeks without electricity or water is no fun at all.

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