Latest news with #GulfCoast
CNET
5 hours ago
- CNET
What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster
Floodwaters are rising. A fire has broken out next door. A tornado siren blares overhead. In a crisis, every second counts and every decision matters. Having a fully stocked emergency go bag means you won't be scrambling to find critical supplies, medications or documents when it's time to evacuate quickly. I live on the Gulf Coast in Florida in a town that's been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. With a new hurricane season underway as of June 1, I'm more on guard than ever. Hurricanes are nothing new to me -- I grew up near the water in North Carolina, where my parents still live -- but even still, news of a developing storm gets me anxious. That's why I'm always prepared with a bag of essentials. I've built my trusty emergency go bag from hard-won experience, including during last year's hurricanes Helene and Milton. (And this bag isn't just for hurricane preparation -- my sister lives in Oklahoma and has assembled her own go bag based on my recommendations for tornadoes.) Trust me: Having a bag ready can make a chaotic, terrifying moment a little more manageable. Read also: Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires, Intruders: 4 Ways Your Phone Can Help in an Emergency What is a go bag, and why you definitely need one A go bag (also called a bugout bag) is a backpack or small duffel packed with essentials that you, your family and your pets might need in the hours or days after a natural disaster forces you to leave home. Emergency officials, especially in hurricane- or fire-prone areas, urge every household to have at least one on standby. Ideally, each family member has their own. That way, you're not lugging one massive bag or making heartbreaking choices about what stays behind. Why you should pack a go bag now Many disasters give us some forewarning, while others strike without mercy or notice. Even with a forecast, evacuation orders can come suddenly. You'll want to be ready to leave at a moment's notice if you live in areas that regularly face: CNET Hurricanes or tropical storms Flash floods Mudslides Tornadoes Earthquakes Wildfires Ice storms Tsunamis What to pack in your emergency go bag Here's a checklist of items to include in your go bag: Go bag essentials: Water filter bottle Flashlight (solar or crank-powered) Nonperishable food (MREs or calorie-dense freeze-dried meals) Personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, etc., in waterproof bags) First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, meds) Phone charger and portable power bank (for either iPhones or Androids) Spare batteries Work gloves Medications and copies of prescriptions Important documents (IDs, insurance, passports, birth certificates in a waterproof bag) House and car keys Map and compass (don't rely on GPS) Cash (small bills and coins) Go bag extras: Paracord (strong, compact and versatile) Carabiners (for attaching gear) Whistle (to signal for help) Fire-starting tools (lighter, waterproof matches) Dust mask Blanket (vacuum-sealed to save space) Change of clothes and a poncho Sunscreen Family photo (for ID purposes, in waterproof bag) USB drive with digital copies of family photos Paper, pens and tape (for leaving messages) Other key considerations in case of an emergency Now that you know the vital items you should pack in an emergency, here are a few additional things to consider. Skip the gallons of water and pack a water filter instead Most emergency kits recommend storing three days' worth of water at home. But carrying that much water during an evacuation may not be realistic, especially if you're on foot. Instead, pack a water purification bottle like the LifeStraw Go Bottle or the Grayl GeoPress. These filter bacteria and contaminants from ponds, ditches or even puddles, turning sketchy water into a drinkable backup source. Both bottles can clip to the outside of your bag to save room. Just be sure to read the instructions since many filters must be primed with clean water before use. Opt for a solar flashlight A power outage is almost guaranteed during a major storm. Instead of packing batteries that may run out or get soaked, opt for a solar or crank-powered flashlight, such as the ThorFire LED Flashlight. Bonus points if it doubles as an AM/FM radio for weather updates. Don't forget your pets In the chaos of an evacuation, it's easy to overlook your pets' needs, but they rely on you just as much as children do. Whether you're evacuating for a few hours or a few days, packing an emergency kit for your animals is essential for their health, comfort and safety. Here's what to include in your pet's go bag: At least three days of pet food (stored in airtight containers or zip bags) Collapsible food and water bowls Treats (they'll need comfort, too) Pet ID tags with current phone numbers Microchip info, in case your pet gets separated from you Vaccination records and proof of ownership (these may be required at hotels) A secure leash and harness Crate or carrier labeled with your name and contact info A blanket or small bed with a familiar scent Toys or chews to ease anxiety during travel Waste bags for dogs Litter box and litter for cats (a small, disposable tray works well, too) Medications and dosage instructions Pet-safe wipes or a towel for quick cleanups How to choose the right go bag The best go bag is the one you can actually carry. Don't grab a giant duffel unless you're confident you can haul it long distances. A sturdy hiking backpack made from water-resistant canvas with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap is ideal. Look for one with lots of compartments and, if possible, a built-in water reservoir, also known as a hydration pack or CamelBak. One great option we recommend is the Sandpiper of California bugout backpack, which is durable, roomy and designed for quick evacuation. Additional resources Climate change is making hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters stronger and more frequent. Preparation is no longer optional -- it's essential. Taking a few hours to assemble and safely store a go bag could save lives, reduce stress and make evacuation just a little bit easier. While the devastation of these events can be harrowing, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources: Hopefully, your go bag is something you'll never need. But if the day comes when you do, may it be ready, reliable and right where you need it.
Daily Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell's bitter battle over private beach
Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell has filed a lawsuit against a Florida county, accusing the sheriff's department of refusing to keep trespassers off his private beach. The 50-year-old said that to protect the 'peaceful enjoyment' of his property in Walton County, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, his limited liability company, BLB Beach Hut LLC, has put up 'no trespassing' signs as well as tables, chairs and umbrellas showing where the property line starts on the beach, according to the lawsuit obtained by Fox News Digital and filed in a Florida court recently. The pop star wrote that the efforts have been 'in vain, as numerous trespassers have set out to antagonise, bully and harass the Littrell family by regularly, every day, trespassing on BLB's beach, on the Subject Property, in open defiance of the law.' The lawsuit seeks a writ of mandamus to require the sheriff's department to keep the alleged trespassers off of his beach. MORE:Brad Pitt's major change after home invasion Cosby cops $250k blow amid $6m showdown 'Hate him': Singer blasts Hollywood star Littrell wrote in the lawsuit that he has been forced to hire security to protect his land and family, and filled out a Walton County Trespass Authorization Form, authorising the sheriff's department to warn and prosecute trespassers on his property. 'Despite BLB's numerous requests and the execution of the required forms, the sheriff has refused to come to the Subject Property to enforce the law and remove the trespassers, to charge the trespassers, or to take any action, at all, thereby refusing to do their duty,' the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit says that on May 4, a sheriff's deputy spoke to an alleged trespasser on Littrell's property, but didn't remove the trespasser or cite them, merely saying that the alleged trespasser ''doesn't agree with private beaches,' going on to characterise BLB's insistence that it's constitutional rights be upheld as 'lunacy,' to use one of the words used by a deputy of the Sheriff's Department.' The lawsuit also claims that on June 5, an alleged trespasser grabbed legal documents related to the dispute out of the property manager's hand 'and scattered the papers into the wind across the beach.' Littrel said BLB also contacted the sheriff's department twice that day regarding the 'aggressor,' but the department 'refused to send any officer.' 'When BLB personnel contacted the Sheriff for the third time to request an officer again, the 911 operator simply hung up on BLB personnel rather than dispatching the officer that was requested more than an hour prior,' the lawsuit states. He claimed that the sheriff's department is now 'openly defying BLB's requests for assistance to protect its constitutionally protected property rights,' claiming that deputies were overheard on two separate occasions saying that the sheriff was 'proud of not issuing any citations for trespassing on the property.' 'Vitriol' against BLB 'has recently escalated,' the lawsuit says, claiming that a trespasser damaged a table on his property 'after being warned by a BLB employee.' Littrell claimed that a deputy had come to the property, but hadn't taken any action against the alleged trespasser, and 'body camera footage shows multiple instances of disrespect against BLB's agents by the responding officer.' Claiming the sheriff's department continues to 'shirk its duty,' the lawsuit added, 'These are unprecedented times, if the Sheriff continues to refuse to protect and uphold the rights of BLB and other community members, private property and other rights held by Florida citizens will only exist on paper.' The Walton County Sheriff's Office told Fox News Digital the department doesn't 'comment on pending litigation,' adding it 'prides itself on handling every situation, call for service, or interaction with professionalism using a customer service approach. 'This has always been our philosophy and will continue to be moving forward.' Littrell told Fox News Digital in a statement: 'We bought a home here on this private beach on the Gulf of America in order to be able to vacation in quiet, to be able to enjoy our time without any attention or drama. 'Unfortunately, we had no idea that there was already a battle which had been happening for years.' He said that since buying the home, 'we have been targeted by people that don't normally frequent this beach or live in the area. 'These people, the ones who insist on trespassing in what is actually our backyard, who started this fight have to pass several scarcely populated public beach areas to get to our property.' Littrell claimed that the alleged trespassers are 'people who believe that anyone who has succeeded and managed to live the American Dream must be bad people. 'They want it so no one owns anything, and everyone is happy, except it never works out that way.' He added, 'The really scary thing is we have provided to law enforcement all the things they asked of all the private beach homeowners to enforce the law and they will not bother to do their duty to protect the homeowners. 'They will not do the job they were hired to do when hired and sworn in under oath to … protect the citizens and enforce the law.' He claimed the sheriff's department has 'come against us and will not do their jobs. They allow people to harass and stalk us and the security people,' they hired, adding, 'They are MAD that we bought a home on a private beach.' Parts of this story first appeared in Fox News and was republished with permission. MORE: 'F***ing ridiculous': Ozzy lets rip on US flee Will Smith's enormous compound exposed Star's big change amid Tom Cruise rumours
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anthony Mackie hooks his first career Daytime Emmy nomination for hosting ‘Shark Beach'
Some fin-tastic news for Anthony Mackie: he can now add "Daytime Emmy nominee" to his résumé. The blockbuster actor, who has starred in several Marvel films, most recently as the title character in Captain America: Brave New World, as well as Best Picture Oscar winner The Hurt Locker, earned his first career Daytime Emmy nomination on Thursday for Shark Beach With Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast. His specific category, Best Personality (Non-Daily), was only created last year, and specifically honors "hosts, cohosts, anchors, correspondents, and narrators on Daytime eligible content that airs or streams weekly or all at once, and/or has fewer than 52 episodes per calendar year." More from Gold Derby BLACKPINK returns with comeback single 'JUMP': Watch the video now Tony Awards name 2026 nominating committee, including Tony winners Victoria Clark and BD Wong. Here's how they'll pick the contenders Mackie will compete against David Attenborough for Secret Lives of Orangutans; Brad Bestelink for Living With Leopards; Andi Sweeney Blanco, Courtney Dober, Rob North, and Kirin Stone for The Fixers, and Martha Stewart for Martha Gardens. Mackie was previously on the Primetime Emmys ballot for projects like Twisted Metal (2023), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), Solos (2021), Altered Carbon (2020), Black Mirror (2019), and All the Way (2016), but failed to convert any of those into a nomination. Mackie has a shot at achieving a rare feat: nabbing Daytime and Primetime Emmy bids within the same year. He's a contender for guest-starring on the Apple TV+ comedy The Studio as himself in a storyline in which he tries to get movie executive Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) to cut a long, self-indulgent sequence from Ron Howard's latest film. The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 15. Prior to today, Mackie notable awards bids included a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Ensemble for The Hurt Locker, plus mentions at the BET, Gotham, Spirit, NAACP, and People's Choice Awards. Released last July as a part of National Geographic's annual "Sharkfest," Shark Beach With Anthony Mackie documents the New Orleans native as he investigates increasing reports of shark encounters around the Gulf Coast. Mackie is joined by a team of leading shark experts and scientists as they explore whether humans and sharks can coexist in the same ecosystem. Following its premiere on Nat Geo, Shark Beach debuted on streaming services Disney+ and Hulu. Last year's inaugural Daytime Emmy winner for Best Personality (Non-Daily) was Christian Cooper for Extraordinary Birder With Christian Cooper. There's not enough historical data to notice any trends in this category, though a victory for Mackie, Attenborough, or Bestelink would suggest voters are fans of programs centered around animals. Shark Beach With Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast also received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Best Non-Fiction Directing Team (Single Camera) for Matt Kay. The category's co-nominees are all animal-related: Living With Leopards, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, The Secret Lives of Animals, and Secret Lives of Orangutans. The 2025 Daytime Emmys ceremony will take place Oct. 17 in Pasadena, Calif. Best of Gold Derby Everything to know about 'The Pitt' Season 2, including the departure of Tracy Ifeachor's Dr. Collins Everything to know about 'Too Much,' Lena Dunham's Netflix TV show starring Megan Stalter that's kinda, sorta 'based on a true story' Cristin Milioti, Amanda Seyfried, Michelle Williams, and the best of our Emmy Limited Series/Movie Actress interviews Click here to read the full article.
Fox News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Backstreet Boys singer's Florida beach home lawsuit follows Sylvester Stallone's battle over waterfront estate
Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell is the latest star to fight for beachfront property privacy. Littrell joined entertainment mogul David Geffen, actress Barbra Streisand and Sylvester Stallone on the list of celebrities who have pushed for seclusion around their multimillion-dollar homes. The musician sued a Florida sheriff for allegedly refusing to keep trespassers off his private property. Littrell said that to protect the "peaceful enjoyment" of his property in Walton County, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, his limited liability company, BLB Beach Hut LLC, has put up "no trespassing" signs as well as tables, chairs and umbrellas showing where the property line starts on the beach, according to a lawsuit obtained by Fox News Digital. His efforts have been "in vain, as numerous trespassers have set out to antagonize, bully and harass the Littrell family by regularly, every day, trespassing on BLB's beach, on the Subject Property, in open defiance of the law." Sylvester Stallone originally wanted to build a seaweed barrier in the Intracoastal Waterway by his $35 million mansion, according to The Palm Beach Post. The actor claimed the barrier was an environmental necessity, and "the overall project purpose [was] to exclude boaters" from being near the property. Stallone later axed his application to build the seaweed barrier during a city council meeting, the outlet reported. Residents and neighbors shared their concerns about the project during the meeting, pointing out potential safety issues. "If you're out there in the channel... and a big boat comes, you have to get out of the way quickly," a former U.S. Army major general argued to the council and explained how the barrier would create a safety issue. "A barrier like this would merely trap the trash and push it farther down the line," a lifelong resident echoed. David Geffen found himself in a beach access controversy that lasted over two decades. Before settling, the DreamWorks co-founder fought to keep the public off the beach in front of his Malibu mansion. Geffen found himself in hot water with the California Coastal Commission after the entertainment mogul built a deck on a public easement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The fight over the public beach ended in 2007. At the time, Geffen was allowed to keep a stairway leading to the beach and build a privacy buffer. In return, the billionaire agreed to facilitate public access to Malibu's Carbon Beach. Barbra Streisand sued a photographer over photos he posted showing her Malibu estate. The photographer took the photos from a helicopter while documenting the California coastline for a website documenting erosion and excessive development, according to The Los Angeles Times. Streisand sought $10 million in damages, claiming in her lawsuit that the "quality of the photographs [was] staggering." Viewers could see every angle of Streisand's mansion, which was not visible to any passersby from the street. The lawsuit was later dismissed and the "Funny Girl" star was ordered to pay the photographers legal fees totaling $117,000.
Condé Nast Traveler
15 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
How to Plan a Trip Along Amtrak's New Mardis Gras Route to New Orleans
This summer, Amtrak is finally resuming a decades-old route through the Southern US, newly minted as the Mardis Gras Service. The train line is restarting service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans via the Gulf Coast of Mississippi for the first time in 20 years. Passenger rail operations have been suspended in the region since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the coast in 2005. But that's changing on August 18, when Amtrak will relaunch its route along the Gulf. Tickets are now on sale for the Mardi Gras Service, which will operate two trains per day through four coastal towns in Mississippi—including Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascalouga—before arriving in either Mobile or New Orleans. The relaunched route is sure to make for a scenic—and affordable—trip, as adult fares to ride the line from end to end start at just $15 one way, and can be even less for shorter hops. Although many travelers will book the nearly four-hour train journey to visit New Orleans or Mobile, it's well worth stopping in some of the lesser-known destinations along the way. Each of the smaller towns on the route offer attractions like white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, historic hotels, and notable museums.
