Monday, January 31, 2011

Winter Storm Advisory

We haven't had much in the way of winter storms so far this season.  Boy is that getting ready to change. The WeatherMan  is calling for blizzard conditions here in the next few hours.  4-8 inches of snow with highs in the low teens. Oh, I forgot to mention the sleet didn't I?  Nothing like ice covered roads mixed with folks who can't drive on DRY roads!  Thank goodness we are all prepared and don't have a reason to get out in all that mess.  So it looks like I will get to see my first blizzard up close and personal.  STOP LAUGHING!!  This is big stuff for this ol' Texas gal. My very first Blizzard!  Of course they are saying this may be one for the record books.  Figures doesn't it!
     Check it out - This is what "they" are calling for.
* 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW...WITH LOCAL AMOUNTS AROUND 12 INCHES...ARE EXPECTED. ADDITIONALLY...1 TO 2 INCHES OF SLEET ARE POSSIBLE. ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF INCH ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FROM SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA INTO FAR NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. STRONG NORTHWESTERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED WHICH WILL PRODUCE SNOW DRIFTS UP TO TWO FEET.
IMPACTS... * TRAVEL WILL BECOME VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. POWER OUTAGES ARE LIKELY IN SOME AREAS
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... * DELAY TRAVEL AND STAY HOME IF POSSIBLE UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE.
     They are telling everyone to get ready for this storm. It may just make it into the record books.   It looks like its going to be a doozy. (ever wonder where that word came from?)  I hope you got your shopping done and are ready to stay home for a few days.  I sure wouldn't want to have to get out in this kind of weather because I didn't have something that I could have been prepared for. You don't want to get caught with your pants down. (so to speak)  Make a list and check it twice, because tomorrow there will be lots of ice!!  :D

      Seriously though, you might want to run through your checklist.  Do you have enough food put back to last until the roads clear again?  Do you have water stored just in case the pipes burst or freeze?  Is your heating covered?  For  example, do you have enough propane, wood, or whatever you use?  If you heat with electricity, do you have an alternate source of heat?  Do you have alternate lighting in case you loose electricity? How about batteries for your flashlights and radio?  Have you wrapped your outside pipes?  And be sure not to forget the animals. Even though they have fur they need some sort of shelter from the cold too. 
     This is a really good time to make sure all your proverbial ducks are in a row.  I know I have probably left out some things here but the point is that you have made sure you are as ready as you can get.
    I did make a trip to Braums and picked up some milk.   We have done up all the dishes and the laundry. Mrs M made a big pot of beans just in case we have to resort to using the camp  stove. That way we only have to heat them up. Besides, her order for some sort of beans came in and she wanted to cook some. I think she said they were called piquinto beans. We also baked a couple of loaves (well 4 actually)of bread.  Hmmm, what else did we do.... Oh, the oil lamps have to be filled and the globes needed to be washed.  I think that's about it. 

     The only reason I shared this stuff with you all is because I wanted to show you something.  If you are prepared in advance for a possible emergency then when the time comes there is very little left to be done. It is a good feeling.
If you have already prepared for these type things then right now you are sitting back and just waiting for the storm to come on through.  This is the reason we prep. If it gets bad we don't have to worry nearly as much as someone who hasn't taken the time and effort to prepare. Heck, even the government suggests you have emergency supplies to cover you for 3 days.  Around here I think we are as ready as we can be.  And honestly it feels good to know that. 
                    ~~~ Hey ... I'm Just Sayin' ... ~~~

14 comments:

  1. Brrrr.... sounds pretty fun to me, actually, but that is because we are prepared also, even tho we never ever get weather like that here on the Oregon Coast. I'm glad you're all ready for it. Stay safe!

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  2. We had two blizzards last year and we are close to DC [unheard of, but we did] We never worry - we aren't going to run out and we don't freak and run to the store and stock up. If anything we go buy extra fun snacks. :D We also stay off the roads because the idiots don't seem to understand the warnings coming from our local governments that say "Stay off the roads." And they drive like fools.

    I didn't realize 4-8 inches was considered a blizzard, but I think with the added sleet and perhaps wind conditions they have bumped it up.

    Glad you are all prepared - we have some ice coming and my husband brought home flowers and the makings for chicken manicotti. We are good to go! :D

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  3. Having spent the first five years of my childhood and another four years of my adult life in Colorado, it's hard to think of 4-8 inches of snow as a blizzard. But it makes a big difference when you're in an area where any accumulation of snow is fairly rare. The cities and counties just aren't equipped or prepared to handle it and most of your neighbors don't know how to drive in it. Sure bumps up the 'adventure' factor substantially if you are forced to get out in it.

    They are predicting a high of 57 here tomorrow, but we'll hit that before noon ...then the temps will plummet and we're looking at 18 degrees tomorrow night. Yeoldfurt drives home at 9pm and I drive to work at 6am ...we'll both be crossing icy bridges. We both have plenty of experience driving in these conditions, but that doesn't mean some flatlander won't spin out and slam into us. The next three days of commuting will be interesting, but hopefully uneventful! They are even predicting snow showers Friday evening and an overnight low of 23 degrees. That's cold enough for it to stick long enough for me to get some pictures Saturday morning. That would almost make all the commuting hassle worthwhile!

    : )

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  4. Predicting 12 to 18" here. We will see. Yes we are all prepped up but with the 40 mph wind gusts and expected power outages certainly not something I am looking forward to. That and I worry about my bees.

    Batten down the hatches and hope for Sun by Saturday.

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  5. Its heading my way with some of it already hitting today. My hatches are battened down. I will still have to go out to feed the goats though. :(

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  6. Ruth - Since it's my first storm like this I can't help but think it will be fun...for a little while anyway!

    SkippyMom - I didn't even think about "fun foods" I guess I'm still new at this! :D I guess I'll just have to suffer here at home and make some Snickerdoodles! Dang, I hate when that happens!!

    HB - There is NO WAY I would get out there on the road with "them". And you just have to love that Texas weather! If you are lucky and get enough snow for pictures I hope you will share them with us.

    PP - We are supposed to get "some" wind but nothing like yours (I hope) I sure hope your bees will be ok.

    Roxie- I really really hate to say this.... but better you than me on getting out there and feeding the goats in the morning. :D Bundle up good!

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  7. We are used to snow is this area of the country, but not to this magnitude. 12-18 inches with ice and blizzard warnings. May sound a bit goofy, but looking forward to this. Never saw that much snow before and what a great time to see how well we're prepped especially if there is power outages (as long as others are alright). Enjoy your first major snowfall/blizzard and "THINK SPRING." I am so ready, it sure has been a cold one this year.

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  8. So when did you ever listen to the goverment?? It's not the amount of snow that makes a blizzard but the overall conditons that go along with it. High winds and some sleet and ice will make travel almost impossible!!! FK

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  9. SciFi,we got about 3/4 of an inch of ice so far,saying another 1 - 1 1/2 inches of ice coming then temp drop and snow and high winds on wed. I made a parts run for work about 3 hrs before ice hit,oh my gosh you should of seen all the people buying batteries,hurricane lamps,lamp oil,kerosine etc. Of course I was out of bread, by the time I got off not a loaf in INDIANA. Other than that I am setting pretty good.Wish I could stay home an enjoy it like others.Best wishes,sounds like you'all should ride it out pretty good!

    China
    III

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  10. I live in east central Illinois and we got ice last night. Our power clicked on and off probably four or five times. Today, another inch of ice might just take care of the power for awhile. My faucets are dripping just in case. I went to the store Sat. and got a ton of cat food for my cat and a big pail of litter. My cupboards and freezers are full so we are okay there. But the power outages scare me.

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  11. Last year winter was on a Thursday here in SW Tex. This winter is brutal it will be Wednesday and Thursday!!

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  12. ...hey Sci,yer right,feels good huh?...fire up the wood burner,hunker down with a good book/magazine,and enjoy...in the not so distant past,none of these storms would've mattered...i think alot has to do with the weather channel(et al)hyping things up to sensationalize their news casts...anyway,stay safe,and GodBless

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  13. Snow + sleet = one huge mess! I think you're wise to stay inside and off the roads.

    We're having snow ... lots and lots of snow. The prediction for tomorrow is 18" to 24". Should be fun to shovel ;).

    As for preps, the snow doesn't usually cause any problems with regard to power outages, but if we get wind or ice with the snow, then we can expect to have downed power lines and such. That said, one just never knows, and so in preparation, I'm planning to machine wash an extra load of laundry (it'll dry on the rack in front of the fire, though ;). Otherwise, we're ready - plenty of candles and kerosene lamps, plenty of firewood, and plenty of stuff toe entertain ourselves. Hopefully, my husband can get the day off and we can all stay home and drink hot beverages and eat popcorn. That would be fun ;).

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  14. Sounds as if your in for a bad spell for sure.

    I will agree with WWRWH, 4-5 inches of snow is NOT considered a blizzard in MT either, not 15+ inches, yes!*wink*

    We woke up to -18F add in the windchill factor and it's -35F Brrrrr, no fun at all and hard on the animals too!

    In times like these all of the hard work and long hours that go into preparing are so well worth it, aren't they? Our supper requires a quick walk outsie to the freezer for meat and another quick trip to the cellar for spuds, carrots, onion and turnips, then back downstairs for some spices green beans, corn, canned peppers( sweet) and some pasta. What a blessing No worries about if the car will start, driving on bad roads, etc..... :o)

    Stay warm and snuggle down, enjoying the fruits of your labor.
    Blessings,
    Kelle

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