Hunker Down Guide to Hurricane Preparedness Castos https://hunkerdownguide.com Hi. My name is Jamie Robe, your host. I would like to talk directly with you... one-on-one... for just a minute or so... to find out if this podcast is for you. The dread of a hurricane warning. The rush to find supplies. The fear of what comes next. We’ve all been there. You can’t control the hurricane… You can control your readiness. Hurricanes and tropical storms seem to be becoming more frequent and more powerful. Based on the news stories, there seems to be more confusion at the government agencies (national, state, and local) tasked with helping people, like you and me, in the path of these damaging events. Waiting until the last minute is a very dangerous option. Hurricane preparedness isn’t just about checklists and gear. It’s also about building resilience and peace-of-mind. Hunker Down Guide is designed to meet you wherever you are on your preparedness journey. This community helps you move from being vulnerable to being prepared. Together as a community, we can provide you with the support, information, and guidance you need to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident and ready. So if this makes sense to you, I hope you will subscribe and join us. Let’s Get Hurricane Prepped Together You can visit our online community website at https://HunkerDownGuide.com Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:20:58 +0000 en © 2025 https://episodes.castos.com/676ae96a11c8a6-59091842/images/podcast/covers/c1a-2wpvj-kpo8pw1guwvv-8fau0p.jpg Hunker Down Guide to Hurricane Preparedness https://hunkerdownguide.com Hi. My name is Jamie Robe, your host. I would like to talk directly with you... one-on-one... for just a minute or so... to find out if this podcast is for you. The dread of a hurricane warning. The rush to find supplies. The fear of what comes next. We’ve all been there. You can’t control the hurricane… You can control your readiness. Hurricanes and tropical storms seem to be becoming more frequent and more powerful. Based on the news stories, there seems to be more confusion at the government agencies (national, state, and local) tasked with helping people, like you and me, in the path of these damaging events. Waiting until the last minute is a very dangerous option. Hurricane preparedness isn’t just about checklists and gear. It’s also about building resilience and peace-of-mind. Hunker Down Guide is designed to meet you wherever you are on your preparedness journey. This community helps you move from being vulnerable to being prepared. Together as a community, we can provide you with the support, information, and guidance you need to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident and ready. So if this makes sense to you, I hope you will subscribe and join us. Let’s Get Hurricane Prepped Together You can visit our online community website at https://HunkerDownGuide.com Jamie Robe episodic Hi. My name is Jamie Robe, your host. I would like to talk directly with you... one-on-one... for just a minute or so... to find out if this podcast is for you. The dread of a hurricane warning. The rush to find supplies. The fear of what comes next. We’ve all been there. You can’t control the hurricane… You can control your readiness. Hurricanes and tropical storms seem to be becoming more frequent and more powerful. Based on the news stories, there seems to be more confusion at the government agencies (national, state, and local) tasked with helping people, like you and me, in the path of these damaging events. Waiting until the last minute is a very dangerous option. Hurricane preparedness isn’t just about checklists and gear. It’s also about building resilience and peace-of-mind. Hunker Down Guide is designed to meet you wherever you are on your preparedness journey. This community helps you move from being vulnerable to being prepared. Together as a community, we can provide you with the support, information, and guidance you need to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling confident and ready. So if this makes sense to you, I hope you will subscribe and join us. Let’s Get Hurricane Prepped Together You can visit our online community website at https://HunkerDownGuide.com Jamie Robe onmountain@gmail.com false https://feeds.castos.com/63m0m yes <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday on July 9, 2026 - Calm in the Atlantic with a few areas in the Pacific]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:20:58 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2526785 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-july-9-2026-atlant In today's episode I take us thru a few of the tools from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) that show us what is happening now and into the next week (or two). Right now the Atlantic side is showing no cyclone development is expected in the next 7 days. Excellent! On the Pacific there are several areas that show 60% or less chance of development, but it is likely they will all stay well south of Hawaii. Remember, we are only 1.5 months into a 6 month season. Keep working on your plan and your preps while is it calm. Things can speed up quickly in the tropics. Join us on HunkerDownGuide.com for the podcast, a free course on your hurricane plan, and other prep resources. https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses I also have a handy book "Day Before Disaster", all about step by step hurricane planning and prep. https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> full 15 1 false In today's episode I take us thru a few of the tools from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) that show us what is happening now and into the next week (or two). Right now the Atlantic side is showing no cyclone development is expected in the next 7 days. Excellent! On the Pacific there are several areas that show 60% or less chance of development, but it is likely they will all stay well south of Hawaii. Remember, we are only 1.5 months into a 6 month season. Keep working on your plan and your preps while is it calm. Things can speed up quickly in the tropics. Join us on HunkerDownGuide.com for the podcast, a free course on your hurricane plan, and other prep resources. https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses I also have a handy book "Day Before Disaster", all about step by step hurricane planning and prep. https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> 00:06:46 <![CDATA[Hurricane Prep Tropical Mindset Challenges as you Navigate the Cone of Stress + Beat Prepper Fatigue]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:34:48 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2522202 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/every-hurricane-prep-step-you-take-today Every hurricane prep step you take today is a gift of time, calm, and safety you are giving to your future self + family As you prepare for a potential hurricane or tropical storm disaster, you may find yourself in two different types of negative mindsets. Believe me when I say, I have been-there, done-that. Based on what has worked for me and my family, I will talk briefly about each of these here. 1. The Long-Game Mindset: Beating Prepper Fatigue When you’re tackling long-term preparation, the biggest enemy isn't always a lack of resources—it's often momentum decay. It is incredibly tough to maintain focus on a project that drags on for days, weeks, or months, especially when it requires an annual commitment to review and update. Our brains are wired for immediate feedback, so pouring time, energy, and money into a system you hope you never have to use feels counterintuitive (and I have had neighbors and friends even chide me as they choose to do nothing). It’s easy to let procrastination take over, convincing yourself that you’ll get to it "next weekend," because the threat feels abstract until it isn't. Keeping your head in the game means reframing the effort: you aren't just buying supplies or cutting plywood shutters; you are buying future peace of mind and building a fortress for your family's safety, comfort, and well-being. - Chunk it down: Don't try to build the ultimate hurricane plan in a weekend. Break your long-term setup into micro-tasks (e.g., stockpiling clean water supply, testing your battery backup, topping off generator fuel) and schedule them over a realistic timeline. - Build an "Annual Reset" trigger: Tie your yearly review to a predictable, non-negotiable calendar event—like the official start of the season on June 1st—and treat it like an annual home inspection rather than a chore. Maybe make it a family "fun" event, with everyone having a task. - Focus on dual-use utility: Prioritize projects and gear that improve your everyday life or add long-term value to your home, so the investment never feels wasted even if the storm misses. Things like solar or other backup power, or a portable backup HVAC can all pay off when normal problems arise. In Florida, I can't tell you how many times our little portable HVAC has saved the day when the 3.5 ton Trane goes out because a lizard shorted the capacitor! Line of Encouragement: Every small step you take today is a gift of time, calm, and safety you are giving to your future self when the sky turns gray. 2. The Short-Term Crunch: Navigating the Cone of Panic When a hurricane track is locked onto your coordinates and the threat is actively breathing down your neck, your brain goes into survival mode, and that is a chaotic place to be. I have found that this cocktail of fear, overwhelming anxiety, and physical exhaustion makes it incredibly hard to think straight or stay focused on a checklist. Your mind starts racing with "what-ifs," adrenaline spikes and crashes, and suddenly choosing which documents to pack or securing the last window feels like an insurmountable mental hurdle. And in my case, as Director of IT at my job, I had to juggle the home prep with the professional prep required! In these high-stakes moments, the challenge isn't just physical labor; it's managing your own nervous system so you can make rational, decisive moves under extreme pressure. - Mute the noise: Step away from the 24/7 news cycle and social media feeds. Check the official coordinates and updates at set intervals (like the 11:00 or 5:00 advisories) to get the facts without the constant panic loop. I highly recommend you either find one weather station you really like and trust (one that is fact-based and not hype-focused) or stay with the National Hurricane Center updates. - Run on "airplane mode" templates: When panic sets in, don't try to think or improvise. Rely strictly on a pre-written, step-by-step checklist where the thinking has already been done for you. Just execute....

]]> full 14 1 false Every hurricane prep step you take today is a gift of time, calm, and safety you are giving to your future self + family As you prepare for a potential hurricane or tropical storm disaster, you may find yourself in two different types of negative mindsets. Believe me when I say, I have been-there, done-that. Based on what has worked for me and my family, I will talk briefly about each of these here. 1. The Long-Game Mindset: Beating Prepper Fatigue When you’re tackling long-term preparation, the biggest enemy isn't always a lack of resources—it's often momentum decay. It is incredibly tough to maintain focus on a project that drags on for days, weeks, or months, especially when it requires an annual commitment to review and update. Our brains are wired for immediate feedback, so pouring time, energy, and money into a system you hope you never have to use feels counterintuitive (and I have had neighbors and friends even chide me as they choose to do nothing). It’s easy to let procrastination take over, convincing yourself that you’ll get to it "next weekend," because the threat feels abstract until it isn't. Keeping your head in the game means reframing the effort: you aren't just buying supplies or cutting plywood shutters; you are buying future peace of mind and building a fortress for your family's safety, comfort, and well-being. - Chunk it down: Don't try to build the ultimate hurricane plan in a weekend. Break your long-term setup into micro-tasks (e.g., stockpiling clean water supply, testing your battery backup, topping off generator fuel) and schedule them over a realistic timeline. - Build an "Annual Reset" trigger: Tie your yearly review to a predictable, non-negotiable calendar event—like the official start of the season on June 1st—and treat it like an annual home inspection rather than a chore. Maybe make it a family "fun" event, with everyone having a task. - Focus on dual-use utility: Prioritize projects and gear that improve your everyday life or add long-term value to your home, so the investment never feels wasted even if the storm misses. Things like solar or other backup power, or a portable backup HVAC can all pay off when normal problems arise. In Florida, I can't tell you how many times our little portable HVAC has saved the day when the 3.5 ton Trane goes out because a lizard shorted the capacitor! Line of Encouragement: Every small step you take today is a gift of time, calm, and safety you are giving to your future self when the sky turns gray. 2. The Short-Term Crunch: Navigating the Cone of Panic When a hurricane track is locked onto your coordinates and the threat is actively breathing down your neck, your brain goes into survival mode, and that is a chaotic place to be. I have found that this cocktail of fear, overwhelming anxiety, and physical exhaustion makes it incredibly hard to think straight or stay focused on a checklist. Your mind starts racing with "what-ifs," adrenaline spikes and crashes, and suddenly choosing which documents to pack or securing the last window feels like an insurmountable mental hurdle. And in my case, as Director of IT at my job, I had to juggle the home prep with the professional prep required! In these high-stakes moments, the challenge isn't just physical labor; it's managing your own nervous system so you can make rational, decisive moves under extreme pressure. - Mute the noise: Step away from the 24/7 news cycle and social media feeds. Check the official coordinates and updates at set intervals (like the 11:00 or 5:00 advisories) to get the facts without the constant panic loop. I highly recommend you either find one weather station you really like and trust (one that is fact-based and not hype-focused) or stay with the National Hurricane Center updates. - Run on "airplane mode" templates: When panic sets in, don't try to think or improvise. Rely strictly on a pre-written, step-by-step checklist where the thinking has already been done for you. Just execute. This is why I wrote the book and the 10 Prep Steps. It helps me too. - Enforce mandatory micro-pauses: When you feel yourself spinning out or shaking from exhaustion, force a 5-minute hard stop. Sit down, drink a full glass of water, take three deep breaths, and focus on only the single next task in front of you. Line of Encouragement: Fear and anxiety are completely normal right now, but they don't run the show—trust your preparation, take one steady breath, and just handle the next right thing. Keep this in mind - You might be having some problems, BUT you are actually doing something about the potential threat. Most people, for whatever reason, ignore reality and often do very little or no logical hurricane prep. Your awareness and preparations are helping you and your family. I know you can do it :) Website post: https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/every-hurricane-prep-step-you-take-today HunkerDownGuide.com

]]> 00:22:20 <![CDATA[Third Lesson from our Course Hurricane Plan 101 - Is My Home In a Hurricane Evacuation Zone?]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:44:53 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2516357 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/home Today's episode is actually the third video lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away. As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area. In this lesson, I walk you thru how to use maps and online tools from emergency management agencies to find out if your home is in hurricane evac zone. This is one of the most important things you can check. I made this for 2 types of users: 1. People who just moved into a new area, perhaps near the coast or a river, who do not know the area. I start at finding your county all the way to the zone. 2. Long time residents who need to look it up as the authorities review and update zones. We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days. I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

Chapters

  • (00:00:01) - Hurricane Plan 101
  • (00:01:22) - Is Your Home in a Hurricane Evacuation Zone?
  • (00:02:38) - Is Your Home in a Hurricane Evacuation Zone?
  • (00:10:13) - Hurricane Evacuation Zones
]]> full 13 1 false Today's episode is actually the third video lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away. As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area. In this lesson, I walk you thru how to use maps and online tools from emergency management agencies to find out if your home is in hurricane evac zone. This is one of the most important things you can check. I made this for 2 types of users: 1. People who just moved into a new area, perhaps near the coast or a river, who do not know the area. I start at finding your county all the way to the zone. 2. Long time residents who need to look it up as the authorities review and update zones. We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days. I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> 00:14:32 <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday on Friday June 3, 2026 - Tropics Calm For July 4th Weekend!]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:05:49 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2516326 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-on-friday-june-3-2026 I hope you are all having a terrific July 4th Holiday. For this year it looks like we are lucky and no threats are looming. In this episode I look at the NHC site and also some looks at the high heat in the Gulf.

I hope everyone has a great time with family and friends celebrating our country's 250th birthday!

I also do a sneak peak at the new free course here at HunkerDownGuide.com about how to decide if you will shelter in-place or evacuate during a hurricane threat. It is a companion to the Step 1 chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster".

As usual, you can watch this on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Or listen on any audio podcast player - search for "Hunker Down Guide".

]]> full 12 1 false I hope you are all having a terrific July 4th Holiday. For this year it looks like we are lucky and no threats are looming. In this episode I look at the NHC site and also some looks at the high heat in the Gulf.

I hope everyone has a great time with family and friends celebrating our country's 250th birthday!

I also do a sneak peak at the new free course here at HunkerDownGuide.com about how to decide if you will shelter in-place or evacuate during a hurricane threat. It is a companion to the Step 1 chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster".

As usual, you can watch this on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Or listen on any audio podcast player - search for "Hunker Down Guide".

]]> 00:07:09 <![CDATA[Lesson from Free Course Hurricane Plan 101 - What is a hurricane evacuation zone?]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:51:51 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2512486 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/episode-what-is-a-hurricane-evacuation Today's episode is actually the second video lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away.

As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area.

In this lesson, I give examples of the impact of storm surge, and how scientific models are used to create hurricane evacuation zones. We look at some example maps and talk about the way that authorities use these to guide the evacuation decisions for people living in low, coastal areas.

We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days.

I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> full 11 1 false Today's episode is actually the second video lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away.

As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area.

In this lesson, I give examples of the impact of storm surge, and how scientific models are used to create hurricane evacuation zones. We look at some example maps and talk about the way that authorities use these to guide the evacuation decisions for people living in low, coastal areas.

We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days.

I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> 00:13:33 <![CDATA[Jumpstart your prep with "Day Before Disaster - A Procrastinator’s Guide To Hurricane Preparedness"]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:24:38 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2507455 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/jumpstart-your-prep-with-day-before-dis I am super excited to share my short video about how I created my book "Day Before Disaster" to help regular, busy people to prepare for hurricane and tropical storm threats.

I wrote and illustrated this to be the “missing hurricane manual” everyone needs when one of these mega-storms is threatening. This book is designed to be a comprehensive guide for anyone, from the beginner to the seasoned prepper. It’s 216 pages are chocked full of detailed information and examples from real people who have prepared for and made it through some scary tropical weather.

A shout-out to the wonderful and talented team at cine.mamba95@gmail.com who shot and edited this really nice overview.

My goal is to reach and help as many people as possible. The book can be found here: https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

The video is at: https://youtu.be/9zgZ1deMwrw

Chapters

  • (00:00:00) - The Day Before Disaster: A Hurricane Preparedness Book
]]> full 10 1 false I am super excited to share my short video about how I created my book "Day Before Disaster" to help regular, busy people to prepare for hurricane and tropical storm threats.

I wrote and illustrated this to be the “missing hurricane manual” everyone needs when one of these mega-storms is threatening. This book is designed to be a comprehensive guide for anyone, from the beginner to the seasoned prepper. It’s 216 pages are chocked full of detailed information and examples from real people who have prepared for and made it through some scary tropical weather.

A shout-out to the wonderful and talented team at cine.mamba95@gmail.com who shot and edited this really nice overview.

My goal is to reach and help as many people as possible. The book can be found here: https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

The video is at: https://youtu.be/9zgZ1deMwrw

]]> 00:01:39 <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday - June 25, 2026 - Only 1 Named Storm So Far...Is This Normal?]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:11:20 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2505740 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-25-2026-only Things look calm on the NHC 7 Day Tropical Outlook.

As of today, June 26, 2026, we have only had one named storm in the Atlantic side of the 2026 hurricane season. One of the HunkerDownGuide.com members just asked me "Is this normal?"

In a nutshell, yes.

  • One named storm by late June is historically normal.
  • June storms typically occur only every one to two years.
  • Saharan dust outbreaks are currently keeping the Atlantic calm.
  • Hostile upper-level winds are actively suppressing tropical development.
  • Maybe the impact of El Nino is starting?

But it is the perfect time to start your preps:

  • Review essential items for your hurricane emergency kit.
  • Understand the specific hazards (wind, surge, flooding) that affect your region.
  • Good place to start is taking our FREE Hurricane Plan 101 course at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses
]]> full 9 1 false Things look calm on the NHC 7 Day Tropical Outlook.

As of today, June 26, 2026, we have only had one named storm in the Atlantic side of the 2026 hurricane season. One of the HunkerDownGuide.com members just asked me "Is this normal?"

In a nutshell, yes.

  • One named storm by late June is historically normal.
  • June storms typically occur only every one to two years.
  • Saharan dust outbreaks are currently keeping the Atlantic calm.
  • Hostile upper-level winds are actively suppressing tropical development.
  • Maybe the impact of El Nino is starting?

But it is the perfect time to start your preps:

  • Review essential items for your hurricane emergency kit.
  • Understand the specific hazards (wind, surge, flooding) that affect your region.
  • Good place to start is taking our FREE Hurricane Plan 101 course at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses
]]> 00:05:11 <![CDATA[Preview the Intro Lesson to the Free Course - Hurricane Plan 101]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:13:34 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2504899 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/preview-the-intro-lesson-to-the-free-cou Today's episode is actually the first lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away.

As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area.

In this lesson, I give an overview of the course and discuss why this is probably the #1 most important decision you will be making. Better to do this when you are calm and have the time to consult the websites, online tools, and even consult with government experts. You will then be able to decide what is your Plan A, and conversely, what is your Plan B.

We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days.

I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> full 8 1 false Today's episode is actually the first lesson in our new course: Hurricane Plan 101 - The Big Question - To Stay or Get-Away.

As the title of the course says, it is about empowering you with tools, data, and resources so that you can make the best possible decision about where you will ride our a tropical storm or hurricane, if it hits your area.

In this lesson, I give an overview of the course and discuss why this is probably the #1 most important decision you will be making. Better to do this when you are calm and have the time to consult the websites, online tools, and even consult with government experts. You will then be able to decide what is your Plan A, and conversely, what is your Plan B.

We will be following up with episodes based on the other lessons over the coming days.

I hope you will come to the HunkerDownGuide.com website and sign up for this FREE course https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses. It is based on the chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster" - called Step 1 - Answer the Big Question - To Stay Or Get-Away https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/book/

]]> 00:09:56 <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday - June 18, 2026 - The blob became TS Arthur]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:31:44 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2498261 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-18-2026-the In today's episode, I look back at the development of the first Atlantic named storm - Tropical Storm Arthur. In our episode a week ago, Arthur was just an area with a 10% chance and it slowly developed into a rain event for the southeast US. I have this episode posted for comments and updates at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-18-2026-the

I also do a sneak peak at the new free course here at HunkerDownGuide.com about how to decide if you will shelter in-place or evacuate during a hurricane threat. It is a companion to the Step 1 chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster". The free course is at: https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses

]]> full 7 1 false In today's episode, I look back at the development of the first Atlantic named storm - Tropical Storm Arthur. In our episode a week ago, Arthur was just an area with a 10% chance and it slowly developed into a rain event for the southeast US. I have this episode posted for comments and updates at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-18-2026-the

I also do a sneak peak at the new free course here at HunkerDownGuide.com about how to decide if you will shelter in-place or evacuate during a hurricane threat. It is a companion to the Step 1 chapter in my book "Day Before Disaster". The free course is at: https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/courses

]]> 00:11:10 <![CDATA[Whatever you do, don't come up short of drinking water for your family during and after a hurricane]]> Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:23:22 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2491731 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/whatever-you-do-don-t-come-up-short-of In this episode I talk about why it is a great idea to store some emergency water every hurricane season. Clean drinking water is one of those things we take for granted, as in the USA it flows out of every faucet. But a tropical storm of hurricane can easily shut that source down in a moment. Our family had our water essentially cut off with a Boil Water Order for 6 days after hurricane Milton.

Did you know that 3 gallons of water weighs as much as 2 bowling balls? Do you know how to figure out how much water each person in your household needs each day? Do you know how many days worth of water you need to keep ready? How long can you store bottled water?

I cover it all here.  If you have my book Day Before Disaster, reference this in Step 4, page 63. Join us for discussions on this an all types of hurricane prep topics at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com

The post for this episode is:  https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/whatever-you-do-don-t-come-up-short-of

Chapters

  • (00:00:02) - Hurricane Preparedness Podcast
  • (00:00:45) - Water
  • (00:02:08) - Water Emergency: How to survive without water
  • (00:07:37) - How to store water for a hurricane season
  • (00:12:01) - Hurricane Water: Preparing for the Storm
]]> full 6 1 false In this episode I talk about why it is a great idea to store some emergency water every hurricane season. Clean drinking water is one of those things we take for granted, as in the USA it flows out of every faucet. But a tropical storm of hurricane can easily shut that source down in a moment. Our family had our water essentially cut off with a Boil Water Order for 6 days after hurricane Milton.

Did you know that 3 gallons of water weighs as much as 2 bowling balls? Do you know how to figure out how much water each person in your household needs each day? Do you know how many days worth of water you need to keep ready? How long can you store bottled water?

I cover it all here.  If you have my book Day Before Disaster, reference this in Step 4, page 63. Join us for discussions on this an all types of hurricane prep topics at https://www.hunkerdownguide.com

The post for this episode is:  https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/whatever-you-do-don-t-come-up-short-of

]]> 00:17:21 <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday - June 11, 2026 - First "blob" in the Atlantic]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:40:33 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2490101 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-11-2026-firs In today's episode, I walk thru the long range forecast from the NHC, which it now shows a 10% chance of development over next 7 days. It looks like this mass of storms will likely move off into eastern Mexico this weekend, but we have to stay aware this time of year.

As usual, you can watch this on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Or listen on any audio podcast player - search for "Hunker Down Guide".

Chapters

  • (00:00:02) - Hurricane Season: Update on Cyclone Activity
  • (00:03:56) - Hurricane Season Forecast
]]> full 5 1 false In today's episode, I walk thru the long range forecast from the NHC, which it now shows a 10% chance of development over next 7 days. It looks like this mass of storms will likely move off into eastern Mexico this weekend, but we have to stay aware this time of year.

As usual, you can watch this on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Or listen on any audio podcast player - search for "Hunker Down Guide".

]]> 00:07:27 <![CDATA[Lowest Cost Metal Shutters I Have Ever Found!]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:41:00 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2488045 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/lowest-cost-metal-shutters-i-have-ever-f I am excited to share a random find I made last week of some really low cost hurricane shutters. I visited one of our local Habitat For Humanity Restore locations and found a mountain of metal shutters for sale. the prices are amazing.

The price they are asking is really a fraction of the cost at any big box store. From $11 to $22. Same shutters new would be 3 to 4 times as much. Not sure if they have these at other Restore locations (900 across the US) but definitely worth a try. I cover this in detail in the latest episode.

Check out this episode on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide or as an audio podcast on any podcast app.

Definitely a source that will get snapped up as soon as the first storm threatens later in the season.

Chapters

  • (00:00:02) - There Is a Low-Cost Way to Get Hurricane Shutters
]]> full 4 1 false I am excited to share a random find I made last week of some really low cost hurricane shutters. I visited one of our local Habitat For Humanity Restore locations and found a mountain of metal shutters for sale. the prices are amazing.

The price they are asking is really a fraction of the cost at any big box store. From $11 to $22. Same shutters new would be 3 to 4 times as much. Not sure if they have these at other Restore locations (900 across the US) but definitely worth a try. I cover this in detail in the latest episode.

Check out this episode on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide or as an audio podcast on any podcast app.

Definitely a source that will get snapped up as soon as the first storm threatens later in the season.

]]> 00:05:50 <![CDATA[Tropical Thursday - June 4, 2026 - A look at current and future conditions]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:51:35 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2483516 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/tropical-thursday-june-4-2026-a-loo Every Thursday we will do an episode on what is happening in the tropics. Today, June 4, 2026,  I show how to keep an awareness of the tropical weather outlook using official maps. I have a collection of resources on the HunkerDownGuide.com website, and I walk thru some of these in today's show. Everyone is welcome to visit the site and try these yourself.

On the site here, look at the left menu, under the Tropical Weather section. Click on the Hurricane Tracking Room. We will do these tropical weather shows more often, once storms begin to form.

There is a video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/CRCJOqceVWo?si=1nOakSDRWj4yasJy

Chapters

  • (00:00:01) - Hurricane Season Forecast: Tropical Update & Hunker Down Guide
]]> full 3 1 false Every Thursday we will do an episode on what is happening in the tropics. Today, June 4, 2026,  I show how to keep an awareness of the tropical weather outlook using official maps. I have a collection of resources on the HunkerDownGuide.com website, and I walk thru some of these in today's show. Everyone is welcome to visit the site and try these yourself.

On the site here, look at the left menu, under the Tropical Weather section. Click on the Hurricane Tracking Room. We will do these tropical weather shows more often, once storms begin to form.

There is a video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/CRCJOqceVWo?si=1nOakSDRWj4yasJy

]]> 00:07:30 <![CDATA[What does the 2026 hurricane season have in common with a campfire?]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:32:00 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2481907 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/post/the-2026-hurricane-season June 1st officially opens the 2026 Hurricane Season. Well, June 1 is in the Atlantic Ocean, but in the Eastern Pacific it starts May 15. For both these regions that affect the United States, the season ends on November 30th. So we roughly have 6 months ahead of us.

Hurricanes can actually form outside of that 6 month period, but historically, 97% of them fall inside it. There is a terrific graphic of the seasonal tropical activity to give you an idea of when the tropics are most active. They call these the campfire graphs. Atlantic: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/images/2021climo/AtlanticCampfire.png

Paacific: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/images/2021climo/PacificCampfire.png

September is usually the peak month.

From a preparedness standpoint, these graphs tell us a few things.

  1. If you are early in the season, you have time to do some planning and preparation work. But keep in mind that a storm can (and often will) form up quickly at any time.
  2. If you approaching or in the second half of the season, better get your plans and preps completed.

Remember, before a hurricane actually hits your area, there is still time to make and execute a plan. Join us at HunkerDownGuide.com as we explore the steps and actions you need to take to prepare and protect your family, home, pets, and property.

Chapters

  • (00:00:01) - Hurricane Season for 2022
]]> full 2 1 false June 1st officially opens the 2026 Hurricane Season. Well, June 1 is in the Atlantic Ocean, but in the Eastern Pacific it starts May 15. For both these regions that affect the United States, the season ends on November 30th. So we roughly have 6 months ahead of us.

Hurricanes can actually form outside of that 6 month period, but historically, 97% of them fall inside it. There is a terrific graphic of the seasonal tropical activity to give you an idea of when the tropics are most active. They call these the campfire graphs. Atlantic: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/images/2021climo/AtlanticCampfire.png

Paacific: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/images/2021climo/PacificCampfire.png

September is usually the peak month.

From a preparedness standpoint, these graphs tell us a few things.

  1. If you are early in the season, you have time to do some planning and preparation work. But keep in mind that a storm can (and often will) form up quickly at any time.
  2. If you approaching or in the second half of the season, better get your plans and preps completed.

Remember, before a hurricane actually hits your area, there is still time to make and execute a plan. Join us at HunkerDownGuide.com as we explore the steps and actions you need to take to prepare and protect your family, home, pets, and property.

]]> 00:06:19 <![CDATA[Got to start somewhere on our journey to preparedness]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:52:24 +0000 Jamie Robe https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/64720/episode/2017966 https://www.hunkerdownguide.com/space/podcasts/home This show is all about hurricane prep. Episodes are usually available in both a video (YouTube) and audio-only formats. Below are the episodes, along with a short blog post with links, video, images, etc. You can comment or ask questions on each post too.

You can subscribe on any podcast app by searching for "Hunker Down Guide". On YouTube, subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Thanks for watching/listening/reading!

You can also visit us at https://HunkerDownGuide.com
Thanks for listening.

]]> trailer 1 1 false This show is all about hurricane prep. Episodes are usually available in both a video (YouTube) and audio-only formats. Below are the episodes, along with a short blog post with links, video, images, etc. You can comment or ask questions on each post too.

You can subscribe on any podcast app by searching for "Hunker Down Guide". On YouTube, subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@HunkerDownGuide

Thanks for watching/listening/reading!

You can also visit us at https://HunkerDownGuide.com
Thanks for listening.

]]> 00:00:59