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  • Halloween Snowstorm

    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.
    We were put on this earth to help and take care of one another.

  • #2
    Re: Halloween Snowstorm

    I'm glad you have your power back already, Amish Country, and are well. I hope all the other members in the area are well, too. This region just suffered Hurricane Irene storms a couple of months ago.

    There's a lot of helpful information in your post.

    People here are buying more and more generators and getting them set up well in advance of our windstorm seasons. Gas water heaters and stoves are wonderful to have, though if we have an earthquake they will be a no-go then. I wish our fireplace were not converted to gas because of this. A little pellet or wood stove would be handy in a bad emergency like that.

    One thing I've thought about since I have an elderly pet with health problems is to be sure to stay at least a week or two ahead on prescription medications. If there is an infrastructure breakdown or even just a local power outage or transportation problems, prescriptions and also needed OTC remedies would be hard or impossible to get.
    Last edited by Emily; November 3, 2011, 06:04 AM. Reason: typos
    _____________________________________________

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    • #3
      Re: Halloween Snowstorm

      Another problem caused by the storm that I did not see or hear mentioned the news was that there were several trains that hit trees that had come down across the tracks. A mass as big and heavy as a train cannot be easily or safely stopped quickly. Needless to say this caused delays, etc.
      We were put on this earth to help and take care of one another.

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      • #4
        Re: Halloween Snowstorm

        Originally posted by Emily View Post
        People here are buying more and more generators and getting them set up well in advance of our windstorm seasons. Gas water heaters and stoves are wonderful to have, though if we have an earthquake they will be a no-go then. I wish our fireplace were not converted to gas because of this. A little pellet or wood stove would be handy in a bad emergency like that.
        We recently purchased a new gas stove. There is a new "safety" feature on some of them potential buyers should IMHO be made aware of. This new "safety" feature will not allow the top of the stove to light if the power is out, even with a match. The ovens still work but not the top burners. It took some searching but we were able to locate a stove which could be light with a match in case of power outage.

        Please note that zoning ordinances in some municipalities may not allow the replacement or installation of stoves that do not have this new "safety" feature. It might be a good idea to check with insurance companies to make sure they cover homes or buildings with this sort of stove before purchasing them.

        Before purchasing any new gas appliance it maybe a good idea to talk to a licensed expert on the appliance and find out its limitations especially during various types of emergencies (earth quakes) and power outages. There may be an issue with some gas appliances with electronic ignitions if there is no power available.
        We were put on this earth to help and take care of one another.

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        • #5
          Re: Halloween Snowstorm

          Originally posted by Emily View Post
          Gas water heaters and stoves are wonderful to have, though if we have an earthquake they will be a no-go then. I wish our fireplace were not converted to gas because of this. A little pellet or wood stove would be handy in a bad emergency like that..
          Many many chimneys and stovepipes were damaged in the Christchurch quakes. Earthquake strengthened chimneys, good mortar, well supported stovepipes survived. Unreinforced masonry performed poorly. During aftershocks bricks can be heard falling down inside damaged chimneys.

          These are some pictures we took of chimneys damaged during the 4 September 2011 quake.

          Click image for larger version

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          Reinforcing rods sticking up from a fallen chimney

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          It is easy to see the plaster and bricks have moved on this chimney situated on the outer wall of a house.

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          The mortar is not holding the bricks together.

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          This chimney has fallen through the roof.

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          Unfortunately the image is not very clear. The stovepipe passes up through the original chimney. The chimney has twisted around the stovepipe.

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