Our First Hurricane: What We Learned as Minnesota Transplants

When we moved from Minnesota to Pensacola, I knew hurricane season came with the sunshine. Back home, we knew blizzards, ice storms, and how to dig a car out of a snowbank. A hurricane? That was a whole new kind of weather. This month, we went through our first one, Hurricane Isaias, and I wanted to share what it was really like and what we learned along the way.

The Days Before: Getting Ready

A few days out, the forecasts made it clear the storm was probably headed our way.

Refreshing the forecast every 10 minutes. Very Minnesota-in-a-blizzard of us.

So Matt and I started preparing:

• Stocked up on groceries. We bought food and water that would last if the power went out.

• Charged everything. Phones, power banks, laptops, anything with a battery.

• Gathered batteries and flashlights. It's easy to forget how dark it gets without power.

• Packed a suitcase. We wanted to be ready to leave quickly if we had to evacuate.

Joined half of Pensacola at Publix for water, snacks and batteries.

…a lifesaver during the days without power.

Doing this early helped us feel calmer. We weren't scrambling at the last minute, and having a bag ready meant evacuating was a real option, not a panic decision.

Lesson learned: fill up the tank early, before the lines (and the panic) start.

The Day Before: Deciding to Evacuate

The day before landfall, the storm was strengthening. We talked it over and decided we didn't want to risk it. We loaded up the car, along with all of our dogs and cats, and drove about three hours north to Montgomery, Alabama.

The moment it got real. Bags packed, and the cat was not impressed.

Our co-pilot, ready for the road to Montgomery.

Evacuating with a car full of fur babies was quite the adventure! But we found a hotel in Montgomery that welcomed us all, and we stayed three nights. Having a safe place to wait it out took so much stress off.

Pulling out of Pensacola, pets loaded and fingers crossed. Next stop, Montgomery.

Coming Home

We stayed away a little longer on purpose. We wanted to give residents room to return and give crews time to clear trees and start restoring power. Even after three days, our power still wasn't back, and we went without it for several more days.

Huge thank-you to the line crews who worked around the clock to get the power back on.

When we pulled up to the house we've been renting, there were quite a few trees down. The pool was completely full of debris, and some fence panels had fallen. But there was no damage inside the home, and we were so grateful for that.

Coming home to leaves in the pool, a tossed-around patio, snapped oaks and a flattened gas station. We were so grateful it wasn't worse.

The Community Comes Together

One of the most amazing parts of this whole experience was watching the community come together.

Neighbors helped neighbors with cleanup, and there were so many resources available:

• Food and water were offered all over town for anyone who needed them.

• Churches stepped up in big ways to help people.

• Walmart set up showers and gave away items to people affected by the storm.

  
  

It was truly heartwarming to see. As newcomers without family or friends nearby yet, it made us feel like part of something bigger.

What We Learned

1. Prepare early. Groceries, batteries, and charging are so much easier a few days ahead than the day before.

2. Have a bag packed. Being ready to go makes the decision to evacuate simple.

3. Have a plan for your pets. Look up pet-friendly hotels ahead of time so you're not scrambling.

4. Don't be afraid to leave. If a storm is strengthening and your gut says go, go. Things can be replaced; you can't.

5. Plan for the aftermath. Expect to be without power for days, not hours.

6. Lean on your community. There are so many resources out there. Don't be shy about using them, and help where you can.

Don't forget to grab your free printable checklist before the next storm season! Link to the same PDF.

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Would We Do It Again?

Absolutely. Even after all the chaos, we would take this over those long, cold, gloomy Minnesota winters, when it feels like you never see the sun. Those winters are the reason we moved here in the first place. A few days of storm prep and cleanup is a trade we'll happily make for sunshine most of the year.

If you're new to the Gulf Coast too, I hope this helps you feel a little more ready. Have you been through a hurricane? I'd love to hear your best tips in the comments!

After every storm comes a sunset like this. Still so glad we call Pensacola home.

XO - Kari Lynn