Ice storm hits; more coming!

[Gladtobehere]

I remember that one. Toronto was ok. But further east was without power for many many days.

When you can,t even get gasoline, how many gallons should a person keep on hand? I figure for the short term the simplest thing to do is kepp your car filled. Never less than half a tank since the big blackout. For the long term I am not rich enough!

[Fenlason]

I remember that one. Toronto was ok. But further east was without power for many many days.

When you can,t even get gasoline, how many gallons should a person keep on hand? I figure for the short term the simplest thing to do is kepp your car filled. Never less than half a tank since the big blackout. For the long term I am not rich enough!

I always try to keep the vehicles pretty full during the winter anyways. This year I also have some on hand for the generator. 5 gallons it's a smaller generator and it will run quite some time on that.

[Miriam C.]

We no longer have trees on this side of town but where they are and the older lines tried to go down. Still a 1/4 of an inch of ice on the power lines.

[Vedette]

Guess we should count our blessings here in B.C.
We are complaining about it not being a white Christmas and temperatures are too warm.
Ski hills are complaining also! Not enough snow.
Merry Christmas
Brian & Sandi

[Fenlason]

Many people are still without power here. We also have snow on the way…. which on top of ice covered branches will bring more destruction.

[bobhenry]

Since the oil embargo of 78 I have had wood heat. I can use it to ofset my gas consumption or simply leave it for a back up heat source. A natral gas furnace is useless without electricity but a non vent natural gas heater is also a great thing as it requires no electricity. If it's an ice storm load the frozen food into coolers and set it outside. I have a cell phone and it can be charged from the vehicles. I have a 12 volt tv and a red neck antenna ( the hell with cable) . I also have a 120v, 12 volt, and battery radio. A dozen oil lamps are full and at the ready to provide light and a bit of heat if needed. The old gas stove can provide heat , light and cook a good meal, and even melt snow if necessary. If it becomes an issue the port a potty can even be pressed into service. You are only a prisoner of technology if you choose to be.

We are probably the only family on the planet who had "NO POWER " nights just for the ambiance of quiet conversation via candelight for an old fashion evening. ( probably why the wife and kids are gone )

Just think of it as indoor camping !

[stumphugger]

Wood stoves are very soothing things to have when the power goes out. Mine is pretty worthless for cooking on, but heats the house and then some. When the power goes out, I get out the headlamps and a good book and sit in front of the stove window "TV". Of course, I have the other stuff like kerosene lamps and camping gear, but I refuse to get a generator.

Good luck with the ice. I believe ice storms supply a good source of firewood for next year or the next? That's one way of looking at it.

[Wolffarmer]

Does a bug out trailer do much good in an ice storm? I for one would just set it out and not drive. While a small trailer would be easy to heat and all one would still want to try and keep the house from freezing up. Small trailer to keep a living space up to a comfortable temp while you keep house above freezing.

Randy

[RAYVILLIAN]

Been there Mike. Last major ice storm we had my power was out 3 days. I think We still had the land line but didn't miss it. I use glad for the wood heat though. Oil lamps, flashlights and wood heat ya gotta love im. sorta like camping out at home.

Gary

[Fenlason]

I can't say I would "bug out" for an ice storm. If you have a major hurricane coming your way, maybe wanting to get out of town, but ice storms generally happen over time, and they generally aren't deadly. Unless one leaves before hand.. bugging out has it's risk. Driving can be hazardous,IF the roads are open. I would also want to stay around home trying to keep the house from freezing up etc.

The oil embargo had an impact on my also. It was after that, that I to not only not use oil, but to make sure my houses were easy to heat. Our current home is quite efficient [3/8's of a cord of wood for the season].

Minor ice storms are just a slight inconveniance for us. This one we personally lucked out, only loosing the power for a few hours during the day, on Monday. There are many people that are still without power and maybe close to another week… and this is if we don't have another set back It has stayed cold so the ice has not melted at all, and we have some significant snow forecasted.. so that could knock out a lot of power again.

Here putting one's food outside..invites animals to come and get it… and we can't guarantee that we would stay cold enough to keep frozen food frozen. It sounds like a lot of work to empty a full refrigerator and freezer [separate freezer in addition to the fridge's freezer] when you don't know if you power is going to be out for hours, days or weeks. Or if it is going to come and go repeatedly. Having running water would be nice.

I had previously had a honda generator. It was purchased in a weak moment for a camper. I use it mostly to power tools for trail building. I did use it with with cords for refrigerator.. I might wire up my power pedestal so I can run anything in the house..[even though I would have to run things separately]
I might look into a larger stationary generator. My wife's work does sell them, so I can get it a little cheaper.. and they were a lot less expensive than I expected.

[mikeschn]

Does a bug out trailer do much good in an ice storm? I for one would just set it out and not drive. While a small trailer would be easy to heat and all one would still want to try and keep the house from freezing up. Small trailer to keep a living space up to a comfortable temp while you keep house above freezing.

Randy

That's exactly right Randy... "Small trailer to keep a living space up to a comfortable temp while you keep house above freezing!!!"

Mike...

[Fenlason]

Does a bug out trailer do much good in an ice storm? I for one would just set it out and not drive. While a small trailer would be easy to heat and all one would still want to try and keep the house from freezing up. Small trailer to keep a living space up to a comfortable temp while you keep house above freezing.

Randy

That's exactly right Randy... "Small trailer to keep a living space up to a comfortable temp while you keep house above freezing!!!"

Mike...

I guess it would depend on the house.. but I would think it would make more sense, and be easier to keep a room in the house warmer for comfort,

[mikeschn]

Glenn,

That's the backup plan. Open one of the front windows, and instead of sliding in an air conditioner, I am going to slide in a forced air furnace, like the one below. The propane and the battery will sit on the front porch! I just have to build the perfect wooden enclosure for the window!

Mike...

[KCStudly]

That's a good idea, and if you have a walk out basement and can get it into a basement window, you might even be able to keep the pipes from freezing at the same time.

[Fenlason]

Glenn,

That's the backup plan. Open one of the front windows, and instead of sliding in an air conditioner, I am going to slide in a forced air furnace, like the one below. The propane and the battery will sit on the front porch! I just have to build the perfect wooden enclosure for the window!

Mike...

Doing that you are heating the room from a warmer temp… and some of the heat loss goes to your house. With your trailer you are heating from the outside temp, and all loss goes outside. … I guess there are variables.. R value of the house.. and r value of the trailer.. and your out side temps. Depending on your house design etc.