Snowstorm Preparation

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Stormin Mormon - 04 Nov 2006 03:40 GMT

With winter coming on (in the Northen Hemisphere) it's time to get
ready for winter. Since storms have hit at least two places in the US
(Buffalo, NY and some where in Colorado, I can't remebmer which city)
it is long past time.

The problems include:
Low visibility
Dificult travel
Electrical power cuts
Piles of snow in the yard and driveway
Stores closed
Houses get cold; heat bills go up

What can we do to prepare?

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Reply to this Message

Mishi - 04 Nov 2006 04:45 GMT

> With winter coming on (in the Northen Hemisphere) it's time to get
>ready for winter. Since storms have hit at least two places in the US
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>Houses get cold; heat bills go up
>>What can we do to prepare?

Hi Norman,

Been there, done that. Living near Syracuse and in the snow belt
teaches you to be prepared. <G> For heat, we have 2 kerosene heaters,
(1) 22000 btu, and (1) 10000 btu. If we know a storm is coming, we
fill up the heaters, and then the kero cans. That way we should have
enough to last the storm. The larger kero heater can be used to heat
up soup if necessary. For lighting, we have a propane lantern w/extra
cylinders and mantles, and a couple of flash lights. Our gas stove top
works w/o electricity - you just have to have matches. We have a
battery operated radio and television (b&w). We keep plenty of cat
food on hand - have to think about the furry masters! At night, we
just throw another quilt or 2 on the bed. and my clowder does an
excellent job at pinning the blankets down. (Just try moving in the
bed w/8 or 9 cats and 1 hubby. Not an easy task!) The only thing that
makes me concerned is the water pipes freezing. That is not a fun
thing to deal with at all. Our heating pipes have the safe antifreeze
in them, so it is just the rest of the piping I worry about.

I will finish up the outside cats winter shelters this weekend - I
need to get some hay/straw to put in their hideaways. They love to
burrow in it and keep warm.

Mishi

Reply to this Message

Stormin Mormon - 04 Nov 2006 17:53 GMT

Greetings, Mishi.
I'm not Norman, but since this is a public board, maybe I'll add a
few thoughts.
Syracuse, eh? We should coordinate with Baha, and maybe have a
picnic some summer. Or invite Baha over to get warm the next time the
power is out. They both work, the cats had fur coats. And they went
out to stores as needed.
Kerosene is great. I have one, and it really came in useful in
2003 when the power was out four days. Burners are good, I have gas
stove, Baha has electric stove.
While I do have a propane lantern, I've never used it. Yes, I did
buy extra mantles. I'm told propane lanterns put otu a lot of heat.
which is good, in winter power cuts. Bad in summer (think hurricane).
As to pipes freezing, I've heard to leave a faucet dripping at the
farthest faucet. Moving water doesn't freeze, or so they say.

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 02:40:29 GMT, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61-&spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote:

> With winter coming on (in the Northen Hemisphere) it's time to get
>ready for winter. Since storms have hit at least two places in the US
>(Buffalo, NY and some where in Colorado, I can't remebmer which city)
>it is long past time.
>
>>What can we do to prepare?

Reply to this Message

Mishi - 04 Nov 2006 18:39 GMT

>Greetings, Mishi.
> I'm not Norman, but since this is a public board, maybe I'll add a
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> As to pipes freezing, I've heard to leave a faucet dripping at the
>farthest faucet. Moving water doesn't freeze, or so they say.

Hi Chris,

Sorry, meant to say Mormon, not Norman. Dain bramaged today. Too many
spread sheets to redo at work, I guess. Don't you know numbers rot
your brain? <G>

Thanks for reminding me about leaving the water dripping. We used to
do that when I was growing up in the Adirondacks. Being w/o running
water is a major pain! One year, our pipes from the spring got plugged
when the mud sieve gave way, and we had to carry water from our pond
and spring for washing and drinking. Not fun. But, if I was given a
chance to go back there, I would take it in a heartbeat. It still is
my hearts home.

We went to Gander Mountain last week, and we saw a portable propane
water heater. You can see it here:
http://www.landbigfish.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=2348 or
http://tinyurl.com/yayvar. It looked like a good idea, but a bit
pricey.

We have used a generator before, during the 1997 power out, basically
to keep our refrigerator going. In the winter, you don't have to worry
about that - just stick the food outside in a animal proof cooler and
mother nature will keep it cold for you!

Mishi
PS: I like the idea of getting together w/you and Baha. Maybe at
Lecthworth SP? Or a bit closer to the T-Way - will have to check out
some places. One of these years I am going to go to Hill Cumorah for
the pagent. We haven't been out to Palmyra in a few years, so it is
time to go again soon.

Reply to this Message

Stormin Mormon - 04 Nov 2006 18:51 GMT

Text inserted.

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Hi Chris,

Sorry, meant to say Mormon, not Norman. Dain bramaged today. Too many
spread sheets to redo at work, I guess. Don't you know numbers rot
your brain? <G>
CY: For sure. Must be the office, fluorescent light and no cats or
sunshine?

Thanks for reminding me about leaving the water dripping. We used to
do that when I was growing up in the Adirondacks. Being w/o running
water is a major pain!
CY: That, and also hot water is a nice thing. I remember the day my
water heater died, Jan twenty something. About 18 inches snow, 26F
outside, and the WH cabinet is outside my trailer.

One year, our pipes from the spring got plugged
when the mud sieve gave way, and we had to carry water from our pond
and spring for washing and drinking. Not fun. But, if I was given a
chance to go back there, I would take it in a heartbeat. It still is
my hearts home.
CY: I've got some fond spots for a couple cabins in the Adirondaks.

We went to Gander Mountain last week, and we saw a portable propane
water heater. You can see it here:
http://www.landbigfish.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=2348 or
http://tinyurl.com/yayvar. It looked like a good idea, but a bit
pricey.
CY: Now you're talkign. I'll look at that later. I've got natural gas
WH, but wondering if I could run the WH on propane if needed, if the
gas was out.

We have used a generator before, during the 1997 power out, basically
to keep our refrigerator going. In the winter, you don't have to worry
about that - just stick the food outside in a animal proof cooler and
mother nature will keep it cold for you!
CY: Yes, I've put food out in a cooler. Done that. I did bring my
generator to Baha's, and ran their furnace for a couple hours. That
helped, a bit. They are discussing getting a generator.

Mishi
PS: I like the idea of getting together w/you and Baha. Maybe at
Lecthworth SP? Or a bit closer to the T-Way - will have to check out
some places. One of these years I am going to go to Hill Cumorah for
the pagent. We haven't been out to Palmyra in a few years, so it is
time to go again soon.
CY: Give me a yell, if you want. I live about 15 minutes from Hill C,
and they have some good visitor centers there. I'm nto sure what they
are thinking, in terms of fuel and time and so on. I'm really fond of
Mendon Ponds Park, closer to me. There may be some place suitable in
Batavia, or some where else. I'll admit I've not been to Letchworth
(also guessing as to spelling). The last time I was there, I remebmer
totally beautiful waterfall.

Reply to this Message

Stormin Mormon - 04 Nov 2006 18:56 GMT

Scheduling may be a challenge. Last I knew they were both working five
days a week. Which leaves Saturday and Sunday. We three have church
services, mine lets out about 2 PM, not sure about hers. They are fond
of diners, so perhaps a diner in Batavia, Henrietta, or something like
that.

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Mishi
PS: I like the idea of getting together w/you and Baha. Maybe at
Lecthworth SP? Or a bit closer to the T-Way - will have to check out
some places. One of these years I am going to go to Hill Cumorah for
the pagent. We haven't been out to Palmyra in a few years, so it is
time to go again soon.

Reply to this Message