Basement storage cage re-org next month. Any improvements?

[Marthony]

Hello and long time no post!

I'm busy with a project this month, but at the start of May I plan to completely redo our basement storage cage before potential flood season starts. We live in an apartment building on a flood plain, roughly 200 meters from the Bow river. We are on the 3rd floor and look towards the river. Our basement storage cage is roughly 4' wide, 12' long & 8' high with fencing wire between the cages.

As you may recall, the 2013 flooding in Alberta was one of Canada's more costly disasters. A storm system essentially sat on top of our area and dumped heavy rains for days, combined with warm weather with snow still on the ground. While I expect our apartment's transformer is now waterproofed from the bottom so our pumps won't get knocked out again, if by chance we get a system much worse than this (or further up river), I figure there's only so much pumps can do.

Presently everything except the off-season wheels are up on a layer of milk crates. On top of these spacers my wife & I's items are in about a dozen+ milk crates, sorted by category. There is also a standing metal shelving unit. Most expensive items include a chainsaw & guitar and could be removed quickly if there's warning.

My plan (until you improve it ) is to source out a batch of roughly 1'wide, 1.5'high, 2.5' long clear plastic bins with lids. The size is so my wife can manage their filled weight. I'd then empty the cage (purging as I go), detail & photograph all items to be added to a spreadsheet, and load items by category into each bin. Each bin's contents would be packed into one clear garbage bag, tied shut, and then again into another. I don't expect to find bins that are both affordable with anything resembling waterproof lids, thus the clear bags. Content lists would be attached to each bin on the inside.

As the project progresses, I'd burn CD's containing the spreadsheet & pictures, and include a copy in my evacuation bag. I don't think our insurance covers overland flooding, but it would greatly reduce stress to know exactly what is there.

If such water came in to cause basement flooding, the parking lot would be at risk too. The only exit means going where more water will be. Last year I went through at least 1.5’ of water, but a typical car wouldn’t be safe to have tried. If we get worse flooding, vehicles would have to be removed before this state. This means the morning we wake up to a lake, anything we want to carry we must walk with.

What do you think of this, and how might you improve it?

(and after this I suppose I really should finish my upgraded solar oven...just need to match the lid to the base!)

Thanks!

[ElevenBravo]

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for sharing and dont be such a stranger!

EB

[bacpacker]

I like it. In particular the plans to well document what you have where. I have had to go back through various preps to do the documentaion I should have done to begin with. Food in particular. Spreadsheets are a must IMO for doing this. Add as much detail as you think you may need. Nothing is too much.

[LUNCHBOX]

For the price....you might try 5 gal buckets. These have a rubber ring that could help resist water. Your misses could also still handle them. Just a thought.

[Marthony]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for free buckets as well as sale prices.

I'll let you know what is learned in the process!

[Sniper-T]

check out diner style resteraunts, or corner deli's/sub shops. They tend to order teir condiments in 5 gallon pails, and many sell off the pails after. If you have time, why not move all your stuff up to your apartment, in the event of a flood? I assume you are not on the ground floor.

[Marthony]

Indeed, I work at a large company that includes a restaurant and even do some p-t with them. My walk to the lunchroom takes me past the recycling/garbage area and I've salvaged buckets from there before. Quite handy, though these don't have rubber seals. Still, with decent lids I expect they'd do the trick.

We are on the 3rd floor and right next to the stairwell. (an improvement; during last year's flood we were on the 4th floor and around the hallway) We certainly would remove a few things as needed and then more if we felt we had the time. Fortunately there's only a few higher-value things there and we could get them out in one load. If we're challenged for time, it will be nice to have most things protected so we've options.

Thanks!