Halloween Snowstorm
This last weekend we had an operation prep check due to the Halloween Snowstorm. It dumped a boat load of sticky, heart attack snow. A lot of this snow stuck to the leaves weighing down limbs on trees just starting to turn their Autumn colors. Broken branches, trees and wires are down all over the area. Some roads are still closed since the storm. We were lucky the power was only out for about 24 hours. Hopefully our neighbors will be getting their power back soon. The crews have been out working hard. I saw one tonight. They looked tired but kept on working.
Lessons we learned
1) Having a generator for backup power is good. Having a generator with a separate electrical panel already professionally wired into the home to except power from a generator is better.
2) Having preps that can't be found in an emergency is about the same as not having the preps to begin with.
3) After being spoiled by the availability of a dishwasher I found out we:
do not have near enough dish towels for drying or gloves for hand protection from hot water and soaps. Disposable plates and cups make for much easier clean up, saves time, effort and water use in a short term emergency.
4) Everything takes a lot longer when it has to be done by hand.
5) Board children can be a menace to property, health and sanity. Patience, board games and fresh popped popcorn helped.
6) My gas stove was a true blessing. It worked when the grid did not.
7) For our situation a fire place turned out to be an good heating Plan "B". No water pipes broke, our home was comfortable but some sleep was lost tending the fire.
8) It turns out sleeping on the floor in front of a hearth with a fire may have age parameters. We appear to be a little beyond them.
9) My husband's phone with the mapping app is great, when it is working. An old school paper map of an unfamiliar area is better if it is not.
10) Rotating and keeping preps in date can be important.
This last weekend we had an operation prep check due to the Halloween Snowstorm. It dumped a boat load of sticky, heart attack snow. A lot of this snow stuck to the leaves weighing down limbs on trees just starting to turn their Autumn colors. Broken branches, trees and wires are down all over the area. Some roads are still closed since the storm. We were lucky the power was only out for about 24 hours. Hopefully our neighbors will be getting their power back soon. The crews have been out working hard. I saw one tonight. They looked tired but kept on working.
Lessons we learned
1) Having a generator for backup power is good. Having a generator with a separate electrical panel already professionally wired into the home to except power from a generator is better.
2) Having preps that can't be found in an emergency is about the same as not having the preps to begin with.
3) After being spoiled by the availability of a dishwasher I found out we:
do not have near enough dish towels for drying or gloves for hand protection from hot water and soaps. Disposable plates and cups make for much easier clean up, saves time, effort and water use in a short term emergency.
4) Everything takes a lot longer when it has to be done by hand.
5) Board children can be a menace to property, health and sanity. Patience, board games and fresh popped popcorn helped.
6) My gas stove was a true blessing. It worked when the grid did not.
7) For our situation a fire place turned out to be an good heating Plan "B". No water pipes broke, our home was comfortable but some sleep was lost tending the fire.
8) It turns out sleeping on the floor in front of a hearth with a fire may have age parameters. We appear to be a little beyond them.
9) My husband's phone with the mapping app is great, when it is working. An old school paper map of an unfamiliar area is better if it is not.
10) Rotating and keeping preps in date can be important.
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