Evacuation Setup

[Lirenn]

I'm living in Norfolk now and trying to decide about evacuation for the hurricane. One big problem is that I don't know if I have a good enough setup to keep Lucy safe for possibly a week. We have a tub for travel but we only use it for short term trips like the vet. We had her in it for over 24 hours when we moved and she soaked her towel in pee. I will probably be in a hotel room with her and my dog so having her out for cleaning will be tricky.

I also have 10 of those little reptile shipping heat packs.

Anyway, I don't know. I am just frazzled. What's a good setup for being away from home with her for a while?

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[Bogertophis]

You need an ice chest or sturdy styro-foam box (like food is shipped in) to hold in the heat when using temporary shipping-type heat packs, just in case
your power is out. Snakes travel very well actually...use a pillow case & bring a few spares; use a sturdy wire twist-tie around the open end, then fold
that part over on itself & secure snugly with a rubber band. I've never had a snake escape this way, and it's much easier than trying to tie an actual knot
in a pillow case. I've moved cross country with snakes (in ice chests) and I've gone days without power in bitter winter cold during an ice storm this way
and my snakes were fine...actually "happy campers". The only difference was that I used jars of hot water to keep the ice chests warm, as I didn't have
heat packs at that time...but I did have a gas hot water heater. All my snakes (about 15 at that time) seemed very relaxed in their own pillowcases and
none became sick after the fact.

Don't panic, just prepare the best you can. Fingers crossed for you & everyone in the path.

[Crowfingers]

Just my 2 cents, but if you are able, I'd get out and head inland. Even if this comes ashore in NC/SC - Norfolk is looking at taking a hit. It's enough of a target that the US Navy is taking it's ships out to prevent damage. The pillow case and cooler route is a good one. I'm hunkering down in central Va and have been preping for 3-5 days or more of no power as well. But it's better to be in a hotel and have to wash your snakes pillow case by hand than get stuck / injured in a flood.
Just try and stay safe

[Lirenn]

I am considering heading out to Alabama to stay with some friends of our family. Much better option than a hotel.

I will try and find a nice cooler for her. Everyone and their mother seems to have already bought one though.

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[Bogertophis]

I'd get out of the way too....and while it's not ideal, once you're out of the area you can probably find a cooler easily on the way to Alabama. I can see where
it's a bit late to shop for one now, at least in your local area, oops! They're currently projecting that it could stall over land & dump 10--20" of rain...

[Lirenn]

Yeah, the flooding is the biggest worry in my area. Depending on where it stalls it may be really bad.

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[bcr229]

Tub + pillow case + heat packs should be fine since the outside ambient temps are still pretty warm. If it were January and you had to hole up somewhere then a cooler would be a good idea. The cheap Styrofoam "beer coolers" are actually great for this because you can poke a few air holes in them easily.

[Bogertophis]

You could probably even use a soft-side suitcase to keep your bagged snake in for a while. The zipper type will allow a bit of air-flow too.

An actual cooler is optimal though because many places you end up in will be running air conditioning & it may be out of your control. People you stay with are
likely to put their own comfort ahead of your snake's comfort...go figure? And you have to pay attention to temps getting too hot inside a car...if you have
to park for a pit-stop, etc. Coolers (ie. insulation) just add safety.