Russ, what’s the rugged second phone you’re using?

It’s a Kyocera flip phone from Verizon. Kyovera DuraXV LTE

I decided, instead of getting a second phone, to get a pelican dry box, about six and a half by four inches, which will easily fit an iPhone seven, with a little foam padding. Roughly twenty bucks, and I’ll let you know how it works out. Wanted it for my phone when I go back into the woods, and am cutting some brush and small trees. May be a little more cumbersome.

I put an Otter case on my iPhone which saved it a few times from inadvertent falls; it also has covers over most of the water entry points. But the Kyocera is inherently tougher and ~half the weight. The iPhone is for work, the Kyocera is for contingencies.

Back to Florence...

Unfortunately some of what we’ve been discussing will soon be reality for many in NC.
'Monster' Hurricane Florence to pummel U.S. Southeast for days

Summarized, if you live on or near the coast, evacuate inland and good luck with what you leave behind.

If you are inland, get ready for high winds, lots of rain and extended power outages.

While based in WestPac I went through high winds and lots of rain with numerous typhoons as they passed through. The reef kept the tidal surge to a minimum so that was no an issue.
The winds though were serious and there was no inland which would slow them down. The island was like a speed-bump to a monster truck.
Extended power outages though are what warms up all your frozen food and shuts off your electric range so you can’t cook it. Hence, my thread on cooking when the lights go out.

The most recent forecasts are really ominous; inland, it is the rain that will cause problems, not so much the wind.

Stay safe out there!

Latest I heard is that it’s only a Cat.3 hurricane... Okay so the winds are down a bit, but doing the math: Storm surge + lots of Rain = Flooding

Do what you’d do for a stronger storm and feel fortunate if those preps weren’t necessary.

Just because Florence is weakening, doesn’t make it weak...

...Florence Weakens To Cat 2