Irene is the first major hurricane in seven years to potentially hit so far north on the East Coast. Nearly 65 million people are in the storm’s path, including weary New Yorkers who haven’t seen a storm like this in decades, according to The Associated Press. If you’re heeding local officials’ calls to evacuate, the experts at Car Talk have some basic survival gear they’d like you to bring along, too.
The list includes some common-sense items, such as a first-aid kit and jumper cables. These will come in handy, especially if your car breaks down in an evacuation zone where roadside assistance might be spread thin. Other items Car Talk suggests are a bit more irreverent — like hand cleaner or reading material.
Sure, that sounds strange, but Click and Clack know what they’re talking about, and we certainly don’t second-guess them. The full list is below, but we'd also suggest bringing plenty of liquids to drink and snacks, along with cell phone chargers.