We have a Hurricane Idalia food warning, for those who are fully stocked but lose power. How long does your food have? Better yet, what food doesn’t last as long? Here’s a guide to what foods are safe to eat after losing power.
Hopefully before the storm, you filled gallon zip lock bags with ice or water, and keep repeating as your power allows. Each filled bag, put into the freezer and let freeze solid. Once your power goes, put the frozen backs, on your perishables, inside the fridge. Most importantly, keep the kids from opening the fridge. Trust me, I have a 13 year old and 15 year old, so it’s almost impossible to keep them from standing and staring into the open fridge. However, if achieved, it’ll save your meats, cold cuts, etc. from spoiling.
Which foods are safe to eat?
First, know that the number to know is 40 degrees F. Food above this number can spoil. If the above was done, refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was not out for more than four hours. In addition, that fridge door has to remain shut according to the FDA. If above 40 degrees, for more than 2 hours, follow the below steps for your safety. So throw out or keep?
Fruit
Sliced fruits – Out
Fresh fruit, whole/uncut – Keep
Fruit juice (opened) – Keep
Fruit in the can (opened) – Keep
Cheese
Soft cheese (cream, cottage, queso) – Out
Hard cheese (swiss, parmesan, provolone cheddar – Keep
Processed cheese – Keep
Shredded cheese – Out
Eggs and Dairy
Hard boiled eggs (in shell), egg dishes, egg products – Out
Quiche – Out
Milk, soy milk, yogurt, buttermilk, cream, sour cream, egg nog – Out
Butter, margarine – Keep
Open baby formula – Out
Pasta, Breads & Desserts
Pasta Salad, Cooked Pasta, Potatoes, Rice – Out
Tortilla, cake, muffins, – Keep
Rolls, biscuits, cookie dough – Out
Cheesecake – Out
Pancakes, bagels, waffles – Keep
Meats
Leftover cooked meats/raw meats – Out
Ready made meats (hot dogs, deli meat, bacon) – Out
Pizza – Out
Previously frozen (thawing meat or chicken) – Out
Chili, Casserole, soups – Out
Seafood – Out
For complete list of full grocery list, click here for list courtesy of FoodSafety.gov
Safety Tips To Recover From A Hurricane
As any major storm passes through Tampa Bay or Florida, it’s important to remember safe ways to recover from a hurricane. After the worst is over, it still may be advised to stay in shelter as you are unaware of road conditions. If you have evacuated your home, it is best to stay in your shelter as you may not be able to access or have power at your house.
You’ve made it through the wind and the rain. Notoriously, there’s debris and streets are flooded. You’re initial instincts are probably to go outside to take a look at the damage, but that is when most injuries, and unfortunately, deaths take place. From fallen powerline and generator injuries, to car accidents from flooded streets, these are just a few reasons why after a storm is just as dangerous.
What is storm surge?
Storm surge happens when hurricanes start to churn along the coast. The NOAA explains that storm surge is produced by water being pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds moving cyclonically.
Storm surge can be one of the most dangerous aspects of the a hurricane. In the past, large death tolls have resulted from the rise of the ocean associated with many of the major hurricanes. Just last year, Fort Myers Beach saw at least 13.8 feet of storm surge after Hurricane Ian.
With the help of the CDC website, we made a list of important safety tips to recover from a hurricane.
Should You Flush Your Toilet?
(Photo Illustration by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
It’s a question on a lot of people’s minds after a hurricane, “can I flush my toilet?” Well the answer is it depends on the condition of your environment. According to WFLA, sewer systems can become filled and rainwater floods into the streets, so flushing should be avoided.
Be Cautious Of What's In Your Fridge
Keep you fridge closed for as long as possible. It’s advised from the FDA to not eat food from your refrigerator if its temperature has risen above 40° F for two hours or longer.
If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food or packaging still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was not out for more than four hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
If you are in need, you can go to feedingtampabay.org to find a pantry or distribution site near you.
Protect Yourself From Disaster Scams
Unfortunately, during and after a storm, scammers try to take advantage of those most vulnerable. According to The Tampa Bay Times, even some Tampa residents have reported a “bad con” that’s been played before. Bad actors purporting to be the electric utility emailing and texting customers and telling them if they don’t pay their bill right now. their power will be cut off. Links to make payments are often included.
Tampa Electric Co. spokesperson Cherie Jacobs stated “these emails and phone calls are not from us, these are scammers trying to get your money.”
If you have concerns with your account during the storm, go to tecoaccount.com, or your electricity providers website.
