With an orange kayak and fifteen gallons of gas strapped to the roof of my Promaster City, this is the most prepared I’ve ever been for a hurricane. Hell, maybe the most ready I’ve been for anything. In 2015 when my town struggled against 20 inches of rain my only tools were a pair of boots and a single use rain sleeve for my DSLR. I didn’t even have an actual rain jacket. Since then, and through Matthew, Michael, Irma and Florence, I’ve been prepping - to say the least.

So what are secret weapons for a photojournalist during hurricane season?

The kayak and chainsaw are probably the most fun, while fishing waders have proven to be the most valuable. The untested van, with sleeping cot, a solar equipped 500W lithium power station, butane stove and portable crapper, take things to the next level. This is for prolonged stays in disaster zones. No hotel. No electricity. Maybe no Waffle House.

I was originally scheduled to work Sunday thru Wednesday in Florida, but that was scrapped when forecasts predicted that Dorian would stall. Tomorrow I believe I’ll finally be heading to Charleston, final marching orders not coming until the a.m.

Photos and words by Sean Rayford

GREEN BOX 1

Chaos Ready backpack, Duct tape, Green Tarp, Sleeping Bag, Phone Bag Weather, Folding Chair, Hammock, Vacuum , USB Accessories, Lights (extensions, extra charging cables, battery glow sticks)

Small container w blue top: Lanterns, Solar/Hand Crank Radio/Battery, Rubber bands, Packing Tape, Magnets

GREEN BOX 2

Ropes, straps, bungees (red bag), Butane, Extra Peanuts, Waders, Extra Large Dry Bag, Laundry Pods, Kitchen Stuff (egg holder, utensils, pan)

GREY TRUNK ORGANIZER 3

Goal Zero 400 Power Station, PowerADD 100W Inverter, Rock Pals folding 60W Folding Solar Panels, Bug Spray, first aid, Dill nuts, dust pan/sweeper, 2 chamois, microfiber towels, poncho, single use camera rain coat, Rain Jacket, Rain Pants, Ram Tire Kit, Bear Spray, Frebreeze, USB Fan #2, Phone Gimbal, Umbrella

BLACK TRUNK ORGANIZER 4

Flashlight, Field Notes, First Aid Kit, Mixed/Salted Peanuts, Clothes, Extra Shoes, Toiletries, RX

CAMERA GEAR

Nikon D850, Nikon D810

70-200mm f2.8 / 85mm f1.4 / 17-35mm f2.8 / 24-70mm f2.8 / 200-400mm f4

MacBook Pro 13 in, 3TB External Hard Drive, Small Notebook, AA batteries, Camera Battery Charger (2), Zoom Audio Recorder, Lapel Mic, USB Fan #3, Card Reader, Business Cards, Card Wallet

MiFi Device, USB C adapter, AA batteries, extra SD cards, lens cloths

+Lowepro belt with lens pouches

DRIVER’S SIDE SEAT (BACK)

Pepper Spray, Flashlight, USB batteries, Gas mask (here all the time), Multi-tool, Headlamps (2), Stove (under seat)

CARGO WALL

Guerilla Tape, Life Vest, 4 Towels, Kayak Paddle

CEILING

Kayak backrest, Emergency Paddle

PASSENGER REAR WALL

Helmet, Military Backpack, Lowepro Backpack

ABOVE CABIN

Tactical pants (2), Pillow, Yellow vest, USB fan #1

BACK OF VAN

Chainsaw/charger, Folding Stool

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK

Toilet Paper, Pepper Spray, Folding Shitter (under seat)

ROOF

Kayak (9 ft sit-on), 15 gallons

PASSENGER SEAT

Water, Canned beans and fruit. Cereal, nuts and a cooler with fresh blueberries.

Lowepro rolling bag with camera gear.

VIEW SEAN’S WEATHER PORTFOLIO

About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photographer living in the capital city since 1997. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of South Carolina.