Even the back roads were bad, y'all. Thankfully, Duluth did not suck. Thanks, Duluth!
Photo courtesy of The Weather Channel (Twitter).
Photo courtesy of The Weather Channel (Twitter).
I was thinking about doing a post like this a few weeks ago (whoops!) but didn't think things would get quite as bad as they were. But you know what? Why not post it now? Although the chances of another winter storm here are quite low, it still helps to be prepared for any situation. Here are some things that The Hubs and I have done to make sure we are ready for an emergency:
1) When a weather "warning" is issued, get to where you want to be. According to The Weather Channel, when a "watch" is issued it means that a storm is expected in the next 12-24 hours. An "advisory" is issued when the storm is imminent and occurring and is an inconvenience. A "warning" means that the storm is imminent or occurring, and is a "threat to life and property." Many people in the Atlanta area were stuck in their cars for hours and unable to get home because their work or school did not close in time. If possible, leave early with enough time to get somewhere safe - especially if conditions are ripe for ice and snow.
2) Make a plan for your family. Have a frank discussion with your family members about what to do if you are stranded or need to evacuate. While The Hubs was at work, I helped him figure out the best time and route to take home. Thankfully our plan is simple - get to the house, or stop somewhere safe (Waffle House or a 24 hour pharmacy is always a good bet). The Hubs stopped at Zaxby's because he had to "use the restroom"...a very likely excuse...at least he brought me chicken.
Things can get more complicated when you have to plan for your children. Talk to a friend or neighbor to make alternate arrangements to get your child home, or have your older child meet you at a pre-arranged meeting place. For example, a friend of mine picked up a minivan full of children from school on Tuesday - their parents were in the traffic gridlock - and they had a massive sleepover party that night.
Additionally, an app like "Find My Friends" is great to have because you can track someone real-time using their iPhone. I used to think this was super-duper creeptastic...my dad likes to watch where everyone is all the darn time...but The Hubs and I can track where the other person is. For example, if The Hubs had gotten stranded somewhere during the storm I would be able to see exactly where he was in order to pick him up (fat chance) or in a worst-case scenario, have the fire department or police rescue him.
3) Invest in the essentials. By "essentials," I mean the absolute basics you would need to live comfortably indoors for 2-3 days (or until things thaw out). During Snowmageddon 2011, we were iced-in for almost 5 days. Luckily, this was right after I began couponing so we had a nice stash of food in the pantry. Some of our friends, however, were not so comfortable - one family we knew had enough food to feed their two small children for three days, and the father had to walk over the icy roads to find a drugstore to get food.
Here are some items from my list - feel free to add more! I keep my loot in our basement pantry, or other easily accessible places in my home. Keep an "emergency box" filled with your items in a closet or basement for easy access. 3 days worth of food and water is a good place to start, although 1 week would be even better!
Edibles:
1. Water - 1 liter per person per day, including pets. This should be enough for drinking, washing, and cooking.
2. Calorie-dense foods - peanut butter is an excellent choice. Keep a package of crackers to go with it.
3. Protein-rich foods - canned/pouch tuna, canned beans, or canned chicken. Plan on having 2-3 servings per person per day.
4. Vegetables - get a rainbow of veggies for nutrients! Canned tomatoes, green beans, corn, carrots. Plan on having 3-5 servings per person per day.
5. Fruits - canned fruit, like pineapple or mandarin oranges, are delicious as a snack and a great source of vitamins. Plan on having 3-5 servings per person per day.
6. Canned soup and broth - I'm a fan of chicken broth and Campbell's condensed tomato soup. These are versatile ingredients and can be made into delicious meals with other canned goods.
7. Carbohydrates - rice and pasta, although couscous and quinoa keep a long time as well. Canned potatoes or crackers are another good option. Plan on having 5+ servings per person per day.
8. Other canned goods - sauces, like pasta sauce and salsa, help make an easy, quick meal.
9. Spices - have some on hand, particularly chili seasoning (for an easy vegetarian chili), salt, and pepper.
10. Pet food - don't forget your critters!
11. Multivitamins - just in case you are stuck for days, have multivitamins to ensure that you are getting enough nutrients.
Other great options are canned/evaporated milk (or soy or almond milk), and powdered or dehydrated vegetables. This may not be particularly ideal on the food-pyramid, or diet-friendly, but it is essential to make sure you get the number of calories and nutrients you need each day. For adults, plan on consuming 2000-2500 calories per person per day. If you are without heat for any period of time, you will need more calories and water than normal.
A note - only invest in food essentials that you will eat. Most canned and dry goods will last 1-2 years, but their expiration date will eventually come and they will have to be consumed. For example, if your family does not eat peas, don't buy canned peas!
Entertainment:
The best way to keep from killing your significant other is to make sure you have something to do. Don't count on having electricity!
1. Cards and board games
2. Books
3. Puzzles
4. Music/CDs - use a battery-operated stereo or iPod in case the power goes out
5. Condoms or Birth Control - I'm serious, y'all. After Snowmageddon 2011 there was a huge increase in the number of babies born *precisely* 9 months later. If you aren't planning on a snow-baby, invest in the essentials. Non-lubricated condoms also make excellent waterproof storage "containers" for matches and batteries.
The Hubs also suggested "Spin The Bottle"...hence #5...and he also suggests avoiding any games that will cause conflict amongst the members of your household. He does not advise playing "Truth or Dare" with your spouse. ;) After all, he says, you're stuck indoors with them!
4) Invest in emergency essentials.Yeah, a snow day will keep you inside for a day or two and in the worse case scenario the power may go out for a few hours. But what happens when the power company can't repair the power line for an entire night? These essentials come in handy for almost any weather related emergency, whether it is a thunderstorm or tornado (or hurricane if you live near the coast).
The Basics:
1. Candles and matches or a lighter
2. A battery-operated or self-charging flashlight or lantern
3. A battery-operated or hand-crank radio
4. Batteries (duh) - D, AA, or AAA, depending on what your devices use
5. A first aid kit - invest in one for humans and another for pets.
6. Blankets or sleeping bags - have one for each person, and include a blanket or coat for pets.
7. A can opener - all those cans, no can opener? That can make things difficult.
8. Bowls and cups - for feeding people and animals
9. A small toolkit - include a hammer, a phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, measuring tape, nails, screws, WD-40, and duct tape.
Make sure you have a way to cook food. We don't have to worry so much since our grill and stovetop run on natural gas. Our water heater is natural gas as well, so as long as the pipes don't burst we will have hot water. However, if all of your appliances run on electricity, you may need to invest in a small propane or charcoal grill. Pots and pans are also handy. If you live in an area where you would be evacuating, a small pot would be useful to add to your emergency box.
Fancy-Schmancy Supplies:
1. Generator - The Hubs and I got a generator fairly cheap from Harbor Freight. It can power our heater blower, refrigerator, and...of course...our entertainment system.
2. A hand-crank cell phone charger - although I think this is a necessity for the car.
3. A tarp - just because I *never* know when I will need one, and never seem to have one.
5) Gather the necessities as a storm approaches. I keep a basket of toiletries in my linen closet for visitors to use, but it also doubles as an, "Oh sh!t, I need an overnight bag on hand." You may need to crash at a neighbor's house or evacuate to a hotel for any reason, so an easy-to-grab bag is a necessity. If any family members or pets are on prescription medication, be sure to toss that in as well. A Post-It note with a list of other items you need (medicine, a change of clothes) will suffice. In some situations it would be even more helpful to have all of your important information, such as your Social Security card and insurance information, in one place - read about small fireproof/waterproof safes here.
I know this sounds a little paranoid, but here's a good example of why this is necessary - this summer, after a bout of rain, a ginormous pine tree fell through my neighbor's house. The one-story home was literally chopped in half. When the fire department arrived, they gave the occupants (they were renters) only a few minutes to pack a bag and head to a hotel. It wasn't safe to be there because they did not know the extent of damage to the electrical wiring and gas lines to the home. I remember when we went to check on them...and bring them a plate of cupcakes...they were scrambling to get their belongings in order.
6) Prep your car - keep a small box with emergency essentials inside of it. Even if you aren't driving anywhere, fill your car with gas. In case of extreme traffic, like we had this week, or a gasoline shortage, you don't want to be stranded if you do have to travel. Additionally, since we have a gas-powered generator, our cars serve as extra gasoline storage in the event of a long-term power shortage.
Car Basics:
1. A blanket - what if you're stuck on I-75 for 18 hours and run out of gas? You're gonna get cold!
2. An umbrella and rain boots - if you have to walk through snow or rain, it would be nice to have a sturdy pair of shoes. A poncho may be a good option as well - it can be layered over a blanket or coat to keep you warm and dry in the snow.
3. Bottled water or Powerade - reasoning, see #1
4. Snacks - reasoning, see #1. Pick something high in protein and fiber to stay full longer. Larabars are delish, and Clif bars would be a great option.
5. A first aid kit
6. A pocket knife or multi-tool
7. A hand-crank cell phone charger - there is nothing worse than being stranded and not being able to call for help, or be able to navigate to the nearest store.
8. An emergency fuel additive - if you run out of gas, this will give you about 5 extra miles to get to a gas station. I have used this before and was so glad that I had it!
- Maggie White
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