There ain’t no party like a hurricane party. From June 1 to November 30, the southern states and parts of the East Coast are subject to hurricane and tropical storm season. Grocery store shelves are emptied, gas tanks are filled, and beer stores run dry at the first sign of a coming storm. Then the drinking begins.
Sure, it takes a certain amount of trust in life and property to hold a hurricane party. It’s not for everyone. But what else are people supposed to do when gathered together in a boarded-up house with too many friends, too many snacks and too much alcohol?
When it comes down to it, people who live in hurricane-prone areas can either move or make the best of their situations. That means booze and bonding because, chances are, the power (therefore the internet) is out and it’s nearly impossible to avoid talking to the people around you.
Hurricane parties are a great way to pool resources and blow through perishables and frozen food before they go bad. No, not all hurricane parties are privileged Magic Mike debacles with illicit drugs, strippers and friendship-ending fights. Most (all, really) are much more tame. But that doesn’t mean they have to be boring — sometimes true love can spring from a hurricane meetup.
Full disclosure: If officials suggest you evacuate, by all means head to higher ground. If not, here is your preparation guide.
Invite the right people
You could be stuck with these people for days, depending on the severity of the storm. You don’t want strangers, people who easily get bored, people who are bad at holding their alcohol, or people who don’t play nice with others. Do invite the guy with the beer pong table, though.
Select the drinks wisely
Beer is a must. Again, it’s a marathon not a sprint, so stock up a supply of tasty session beer. Don’t forget some good ol’ American macro lager, though. Everything has a time and a place, and a hurricane party is both the time and the place for cheap beer.
If you want to do something a little more festive (read: complicated), you can’t go wrong with making a hurricane. To make one, mix one part lemon juice, one part Bacardi 151, one part light rum, one part passion fruit syrup, and one part orange juice. Shake with ice and strain into a hurricane glass.
Snacks. So many snacks
By all means, buy all the water, milk, and bread you can. Just don’t forget people would rather be eating candy and Doritos. Check out our beer-and-chip-pairing guide for matching your snacks and your six-packs.
Be prepared with the proper games
There’s nothing like a good game to make the time fly. Throw it back to college with beer pong and flip cup (and Survivor Cup, and Batavia Downs). There are also more traditional games like Pictionary and Monopoly — because the hurricane party really might last long enough for a game of Monopoly.
