We were prepared for the snowstorm

**NewLeaf** · 12-20-2009, 11:33 AM

Southwest Virginia got plowed with a snowstorm that left over a foot of snow and ice and caused power outages for thousands. Our power went out Friday evening at 4:30 while I was cooking supper. Here is how we dealt with it:

First I turned on our gas logs that we had installed last year as a Christmas present. It kept our house (1100 square ft) around 70 degrees for two days. We had enough propane to last for weeks this way. We also had 2 kerosene heaters for extreme emergency.

I got our camping stove out and continued to cook dinner using the little propane bottles. We were able to cook dinner, cocoa, coffee using the camping coffee pot, breakfast (bacon & eggs) , hot tea, etc.

By the time my dh made it home Fri night (after getting stuck in a mtn. ditch and being towed out) - his dinner was hot and ready!

We had enough food for at least 3 weeks. If our propane bottles ran out we could cook on top of the kerosene heater. And in the event the kerosene ran out we could use our 2 cases of MRE's (they come w/heaters).

We had candles galore! We also had 2 propane lanterns, 2 oil lanterns and one battery lantern and 3 flashlights.

Heat, food and light was not a problem. By the time dh got dug out and the roads plowed the stores had sold out of kerosene (we had 3 gallons), propane, propane bottles, candles, snow shovels, bread, milk and canned foods.

I had dh pick up two bags of charcoal just in case our cooking fuel ran out. We were told it could be up to 5 days with out power. Luckily it was only two days.

We found our battery operated radio for news and entertainment. Dh got to listen to the Kentucky Wildcats basketball game. The kids actually picked up books and read!!!!! In the evenings we talked, played bop it, and sat in front of the fire. And of course the kids went out in the snow to play.

My 14 yr old son was pretty worried at first but my DH paid me a compliment. He said "Because your mom was smart and stockpiled we will be more than fine. Her hard work paid off for us all."

Now its over and we are fine. I am definately taking stock to see where any shortfalls were. Paper goods immediately come to mind.

**hotprincesscm** · 12-20-2009, 11:37 AM

You did an awesome job! I'm sure you felt wonderful and less stressed having everything you needed right on hand! I'm glad you all made it through the storm alright!

**Debbie-cat** · 12-20-2009, 11:56 AM

Awesome job newleaf!!! I an so glad your family was prepared and everone was safe. Proper planning pays off! Sounds like your family had a great time during the storm.

**jamie79** · 12-20-2009, 11:58 AM

you did great!!!!

**redmaples** · 12-20-2009, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

My 14 yr old son was pretty worried at first but my DH paid me a compliment. He said "Because your mom was smart and stockpiled we will be more than fine. Her hard work paid off for us all."

Good Job! It is a good feeling to know you can take care of your family in an emergency situation. Your family must feel more secure too, knowing that you are prepared.

I still remember an ice storm several years ago when we were without power & the stores were not open for a day or two. That was a great motivator for having an emergency plan.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-20-2009, 12:36 PM

Congratulations! You planned and you stockpiled and you made it through! I discovered the same thing several years ago - paper goods! I now have paper plates, bowls, and plastic utensils stocked away for an emergency ONLY.

As for TP, I learned a long time ago that hubby will get out the last roll of TP and not tell me. I try to always have several months supply, but just in case, I keep a 6-pack hidden away.

Glad you stayed safe, warm, and well fed!

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

Now its over and we are fine. I am definately taking stock to see where any shortfalls were. Paper goods immediately come to mind.

**NikoSan999** · 12-20-2009, 12:44 PM

So glad you made it thru all right. You were very well prepared and kudos to your husband for the great compliment. That's a big problem with an all electric house...if electric goes out theres nothing. Even with a gas cook stove you can turn on the oven and put pans of boiling water on top burners. Have done many times many years ago. Now we're all electric.

Anyway, so glad you came thru all right. Congratulations

**Cricketlegs** · 12-20-2009, 12:50 PM

Good job! A bit of work but you sure made it payoff.

**shoiji** · 12-20-2009, 12:54 PM

Wow, definately prepared.

**WV_mom_of2** · 12-20-2009, 12:59 PM

You did great! After living in the country my whole life with grandparents and parents who stockpiled and who were/are always prepared it's second nature to me. I've been without power for 9 days before!

TP is one of my biggest worries. I have IBS and the thought of being stuck for days with no TP freaks me out LOL. I'm sure to stockpile and always have some hidden away!

It's very smart to plan ahead no matter where you live. Every part of the country can be hit with some type of weather disaster(tornado, flood, hurricane, blizzards, etc.) so it's good to have a plan. We got 18 inches with this same snowstorm. I keep tons of canned foods, two hand can openers, plenty of bottled drinks and water, TP, pet food, etc. on hand for times like this. We have a generator and keep extra gas too. I also have tons of candles, two oil lamps with extra oil, flashlights with extra batteries. We have board games, art supplies, puzzles, gameboys, books, etc. for entertainment.

The generator will run my microwave, the crockpot, the electric skillet or one burner on the stove. I can also cook on my gas grill and I also have a fire pit in the backyard with a cooking grate on it that I can use.

Congrats on being prepared!

**Ssindi** · 12-20-2009, 01:40 PM

Good for you.

I need to keep some water for the bathroom. One flush and the pump is about done.I've mentioned it to DH more than once but he doesn't see it as a priority. Maybe because we've only been without power for about 12hrs.
We've had to use the gas grill before when the oven went on the blink and once when we ran out of propane.The propane problem was the gas company's fault but they wouldn't come out on Sunday. Right now our grill is broken but it is on the to buy list for next year. If needed we can always use it with some charcoal. The gas has been disconnected.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-20-2009, 01:45 PM

You did great. We keep water in the bsmt. Dog water was our short coming. Our 3 sure can drink a lot.

**Luckybustert** · 12-20-2009, 04:13 PM

Sounds like all your preparations really paid off! And what a nice compliment from your DH. Glad to hear things went well for you and your family during the storm.

**Grainlady** · 12-20-2009, 05:51 PM

Way to go....

Some recommendations.

-Try not to depend on candles for light, unless absolutely necessary. Candles, and all open flames, consume a lot of oxygen in rooms that may not get a lot of fresh air coming into them. If you do use open flames (heat or light), be sure to leave a window open a crack for oxygen to come into the room.

-Candles also emit smoke and soot. There have been instances where people had to paint after using candles for light during power outages because of the soot accumulation. If someone in your family has breathing problems, candles can be dangerous.

-Candles, especially small votive candles, give off relatively little "good" light. Scented candles quickly get overwhelming after hours of smelling them. REAL emergency candles have no scent, and try to get beeswax or soy candles to avoid soot, rather than inexpensive paraffin wax candles.

If you do use open flames, be sure to have a bucket of water or sand, or better yet, fire extinguishers nearby.

-We avoid open flames for light because of the danger associated with using them, including oxygen depletion and increased fires and toxins in the air from wax and fuel oil. A large assortment of crank-powered flashlights and lanterns, as well as battery-powered lamps and lights are our source for light. Open flames are only placed on the top of the stove - a place where heat/fire is respected and fairly safe.

-People unaccustomed to open flames can accidentally cause fires by placing them too close to clothing or drapes. They place them where curious pets/children can accidentally knock them over. Don't place them on a small table that could accidentally be knocked over. If you do use candle sticks, it's safer to place a hurricane globe over an open flame rather than having an exposed flame.

-Make sure the batteries in your smoke detectors are in working order if you are using open flames. Many detectors are powered by electricity and people fail to test or change the back-up batteries. If you have open flames in a room, be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector. Place it in a low area of the room because carbon monoxide travels low to the floor.

-If you have solar-powered lamps outdoors, the rechargeable batteries in them can be used in flashlights and recharged during the day when the sun is shining. The outdoor lamps can also be brought indoors for a small amount of light, and then recharged outdoors during the day. We have a large solar-powered light that we use in a shed that can be brought indoors for light.

-Keep a number of thermos bottles or thermal serving pots/urns handy. Heat a large amount of water once and place it in thermal containers. It can now be use for hot drinks (coffee/tea/cocoa, etc.), instant soup/oatmeal. A portion can be used for washing up (dishes or people) at the end of the day.

-If the sun is shining, we can place quart jars (painted black on the outside) in our Solar Ovens to heat water for cooking/cleaning. We can also cook in the Solar Ovens.

-Individual coffee creamers (Coffee-Mate) or individual Half and Half creamers are now available in stores. These shelf-stable creamers can be used for coffee/tea, or added to hot or cold cereal, rather than opening the refrigerator for milk when the electricity is off.

-Hot water bottles. At the end of the day, heat another large amount of water to fill hot water bottles to warm beds. In the morning the warm water in the bottles can be used for washing-up, shaving, etc.

-Battery-powered TAP Lights in every room - which stays in every room. Small pocket-size flashlight for each individual. This will eliminate having to move open flames around the house, and will assure there is a light in every room.

-Fill all bathtubs with water BEFORE a power outage, if your well water depends on electricity. If you have a top-loading washing machine, fill it with water as well. This water can now be used to flush the toilet and washing-up. Melted snow/ice can also be used to flush toilets or to water pets. We have a travel-size (1.5-gallon capacity) Berkey water purifier that can be used to purify water (snow or other water sources). This is the same type of purifier used by the Red Cross.

-Waterless soap (GoJo) and wipes (baby wipes) can be used for hand washing to save water.

-Evenings are the hardest during power outages. We have a collection of old-time radio programs on cassette tapes, books on tape, some Garrison Keeler tapes, and an old battery-powered tape player for "entertainment" during power outages. We also have several crank-type radios. Have a collection of games/cards to keep everyone entertained.

**NewLeaf** · 12-20-2009, 07:17 PM

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and encouragement. I honestly think we would not have been so prepared if it wasn't for FV. I have learned so much from everyone here this year. Being prepared gave me confindence in myself and helped my family tremendously. Thanks to all of you for your help and advice.