DawnMO??? You okay? Freezing rain just started here about 20 mins ago...
- Thread starter gayle-mo
- Start date
dawn_mo
Well-known member
Hi Gayle...NFC (long)
I just got up and it's too dark to see how it looks outside. I have never been in an ice storm before. Everyone kept telling me I hadn't experienced a Missouri winter yet, while my teeth were chattering, I guess now we will be.
I have been ensconced in my house since Thursday, and it took me three tries to be able to maneuver into my driveway. Everytime I had to circle, I would have to get on the county road, where there was a highway patrolman parked with flashing lights. I looked down the road and saw a schoolbus jack-knifed across the street, sort of hanging off. acckkkkk! They had already unloaded the kids safely (this is one more reason to solidify the reason I drive my son to school, I know I drive about 15 mph...lol) Finally, on the third try and wave to the patrolman once again, my neighbor pulled me over and asked if there was some problem, and I told him yes, I couldn't pull into my driveway because I started sliding into the ditch/gully. He asked me if my SUV had four-wheel drive, and I said yes, but I didn't know how to use it. He put it in 4WD for me, and I was able to pull in. Due to that experience, the next day, I went out and stocked the house to the hilt. I have butane for my two burners, I have charcoal for the grill, my husband will soon be out chopping and gathering firewood, so I think we will be just fine.
I grew up in MN, but all of my driving skills have been honed to CA freeway driving and cursing. It sure is pretty though.
It is light out now, and it looks like we had a little snow, but I don't see any ice, yet.
I will keep in touch, but if you don't hear from me, I am probably grilling burgers with my teeth chattering. (smile) Thanks Gayle!
http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w243/dawnie2u/?action=view¤t=driveway2.jpg
I just got up and it's too dark to see how it looks outside. I have never been in an ice storm before. Everyone kept telling me I hadn't experienced a Missouri winter yet, while my teeth were chattering, I guess now we will be.
I have been ensconced in my house since Thursday, and it took me three tries to be able to maneuver into my driveway. Everytime I had to circle, I would have to get on the county road, where there was a highway patrolman parked with flashing lights. I looked down the road and saw a schoolbus jack-knifed across the street, sort of hanging off. acckkkkk! They had already unloaded the kids safely (this is one more reason to solidify the reason I drive my son to school, I know I drive about 15 mph...lol) Finally, on the third try and wave to the patrolman once again, my neighbor pulled me over and asked if there was some problem, and I told him yes, I couldn't pull into my driveway because I started sliding into the ditch/gully. He asked me if my SUV had four-wheel drive, and I said yes, but I didn't know how to use it. He put it in 4WD for me, and I was able to pull in. Due to that experience, the next day, I went out and stocked the house to the hilt. I have butane for my two burners, I have charcoal for the grill, my husband will soon be out chopping and gathering firewood, so I think we will be just fine.
I grew up in MN, but all of my driving skills have been honed to CA freeway driving and cursing. It sure is pretty though.
It is light out now, and it looks like we had a little snow, but I don't see any ice, yet.
I will keep in touch, but if you don't hear from me, I am probably grilling burgers with my teeth chattering. (smile) Thanks Gayle!
http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w243/dawnie2u/?action=view¤t=driveway2.jpg
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
Glad to hear you're stocked up. Ice storms are nasty.
We're driving from Illinois to Pennsylvania today and tomorrow--ice storms predicted for at least part of it. Ick...
We're driving from Illinois to Pennsylvania today and tomorrow--ice storms predicted for at least part of it. Ick...
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Dawn.....good to hear back from you!
Do you have alternate methods of lighting such as oil or kerosene lamps? And remember that if your electricity goes out your fridge and freezer can't be opened or the food will lose it's coldness and spoil after a few days. Fill every large container you have with water as your city's pumps could go down. If you live in the country you can't even FLUSH if you don't have power! (You can keep water nearby and flush manually - IF you have the water stored!) I'm sure you realize these things and are prepared, but going though storms with absolutely no electricity is a new deal if you've never done it before.
The towns of Joplin, Webb City and Stockton are without power now. We are doing ok so far, but this storm front is supposed to last until Tuesday so the chance of having power outages is pretty high.
I have stew made and meatloaf and baked sweet and regular potatoes in the oven. Tons of bread and lunchmeats and cheeses and all kinds of ready to eat stuff. I stocked up on Friday in preparation. Was great to beat the crowds everywhere! smileys/smile.gif
A tip for you: When electricity goes and the fridge begins to lose it's cold I get large coolers and fill them with perishables then sit them on the patio. Keeps stuff great! We've also sat boxes of frozen meats out to keep frozen this way, too.
Blessings~
Do you have alternate methods of lighting such as oil or kerosene lamps? And remember that if your electricity goes out your fridge and freezer can't be opened or the food will lose it's coldness and spoil after a few days. Fill every large container you have with water as your city's pumps could go down. If you live in the country you can't even FLUSH if you don't have power! (You can keep water nearby and flush manually - IF you have the water stored!) I'm sure you realize these things and are prepared, but going though storms with absolutely no electricity is a new deal if you've never done it before.
The towns of Joplin, Webb City and Stockton are without power now. We are doing ok so far, but this storm front is supposed to last until Tuesday so the chance of having power outages is pretty high.
I have stew made and meatloaf and baked sweet and regular potatoes in the oven. Tons of bread and lunchmeats and cheeses and all kinds of ready to eat stuff. I stocked up on Friday in preparation. Was great to beat the crowds everywhere! smileys/smile.gif
A tip for you: When electricity goes and the fridge begins to lose it's cold I get large coolers and fill them with perishables then sit them on the patio. Keeps stuff great! We've also sat boxes of frozen meats out to keep frozen this way, too.
Blessings~
Dawn...stock up your truck too...flashlight, flares, blankets, a bag of sand, etc.
I don't have 4 wheel drive but for my car, if I ever got stuck in the snow with no traction, you put sand under the tires, then rock the car back & forth until you get traction and become mobile again.
The other thing is...driving too slow can be dangerous too. You get more slide at 15 miles an hour than you do at 30. I know, it sounds counter-intuitive but I've landed in more than one ditch to know that it's true!
You'll also learn quickly to pump your brakes. If you want to come to a full stop, don't slam on the breaks. This may lock your car up and you'll slide. It's best to pump your breaks and stop slowly.
Also, after the poweroutages throughout the city last year, I learned the value of a car charger for your cell phone. When no one for miles had power, at least with the car charger, I could call around and find out who got power first (and my alternate place for sleeping!)
My parents grew up in Michigan and they told stories about getting snow up high enough that they'd have to dig to get out of the door. Mom mom still shops like they'll get snowed in for a week (canned goods with a mix of what you can cook...or not).
I know, it sounds pretty dreadful, but you'll get used to it. And Mark Twain said, "If you don't like the weather in the Midwest, stick around for a day and it will be diffferent." (Or something to that effect.) You'll have snow today and by tomorrow...it may be sunny and 70 degrees! Seriously.
I don't have 4 wheel drive but for my car, if I ever got stuck in the snow with no traction, you put sand under the tires, then rock the car back & forth until you get traction and become mobile again.
The other thing is...driving too slow can be dangerous too. You get more slide at 15 miles an hour than you do at 30. I know, it sounds counter-intuitive but I've landed in more than one ditch to know that it's true!
You'll also learn quickly to pump your brakes. If you want to come to a full stop, don't slam on the breaks. This may lock your car up and you'll slide. It's best to pump your breaks and stop slowly.
Also, after the poweroutages throughout the city last year, I learned the value of a car charger for your cell phone. When no one for miles had power, at least with the car charger, I could call around and find out who got power first (and my alternate place for sleeping!)
My parents grew up in Michigan and they told stories about getting snow up high enough that they'd have to dig to get out of the door. Mom mom still shops like they'll get snowed in for a week (canned goods with a mix of what you can cook...or not).
I know, it sounds pretty dreadful, but you'll get used to it. And Mark Twain said, "If you don't like the weather in the Midwest, stick around for a day and it will be diffferent." (Or something to that effect.) You'll have snow today and by tomorrow...it may be sunny and 70 degrees! Seriously.
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Traca - it's very smart to plan for the worst...
Your mom is smart! smileys/smile.gif Last year when our town and surrounding area was out of power for 3 weeks there were MANY who hadn't a clue.
I had 12 people here at our house. We have a fireplace that works like a wood stove but when the power's out the blowers don't work - but it still heats the house pretty well. Water was our main thing but I had enough saved and stored to get us though. We were only out a week at our house, so we were fortunate.
It doesn't do much good in a bad storm to get to a store if there is not power. They sell out quick and are usually unable to get more supplies and if they do, the cash registers won't work. One little 'mom-and-pop' store in our town stayed open and rang people's orders - in the dark - with calculators! They kept the town going. Churches were set up as shelters and many, many had to go there because they hadn't taken the time to prepare.
I prepare! I go overboard mostly, but I was able to take in extra people and feed them well last January. smileys/smile.gif
In 1987 we lost power for a week during an ice storm. Our girls were all little and we had so much fun! We pretended like we were "Little House on the Prairie" and played "Win Lose or Draw" by kerosene lamps. The girls remember it as one of their most fun times growing up! LOL We had a wood stove back then when we lived on the farm and I cooked beans and ham and cornbread, biscuits and gravy and all kinds of stuff on it.
One other thing to have in a vehicle is a tin can with a couple of candles, matches, and a lighter. You can attach the candle to the inside of the can and light it to keep warm and have light if you happen to get stranded. Some snacks such as gummy candies, crackers, jerkey, bottled waters, juice packs, etc, are good, too, along with blankets and a few toys, books, etc. Simple things that would make a bad situation a little easier to get though. Especially if you had children with you.
We have rechargable flashlights and hand cranked flashlights and radio, too. (BayGen Radio) It sure was nice to be able to have music and hear news, etc., last January. smileys/smile.gif
Thanks for sharing your tips! smileys/smile.gif
Your mom is smart! smileys/smile.gif Last year when our town and surrounding area was out of power for 3 weeks there were MANY who hadn't a clue.
I had 12 people here at our house. We have a fireplace that works like a wood stove but when the power's out the blowers don't work - but it still heats the house pretty well. Water was our main thing but I had enough saved and stored to get us though. We were only out a week at our house, so we were fortunate.
It doesn't do much good in a bad storm to get to a store if there is not power. They sell out quick and are usually unable to get more supplies and if they do, the cash registers won't work. One little 'mom-and-pop' store in our town stayed open and rang people's orders - in the dark - with calculators! They kept the town going. Churches were set up as shelters and many, many had to go there because they hadn't taken the time to prepare.
I prepare! I go overboard mostly, but I was able to take in extra people and feed them well last January. smileys/smile.gif
In 1987 we lost power for a week during an ice storm. Our girls were all little and we had so much fun! We pretended like we were "Little House on the Prairie" and played "Win Lose or Draw" by kerosene lamps. The girls remember it as one of their most fun times growing up! LOL We had a wood stove back then when we lived on the farm and I cooked beans and ham and cornbread, biscuits and gravy and all kinds of stuff on it.
One other thing to have in a vehicle is a tin can with a couple of candles, matches, and a lighter. You can attach the candle to the inside of the can and light it to keep warm and have light if you happen to get stranded. Some snacks such as gummy candies, crackers, jerkey, bottled waters, juice packs, etc, are good, too, along with blankets and a few toys, books, etc. Simple things that would make a bad situation a little easier to get though. Especially if you had children with you.
We have rechargable flashlights and hand cranked flashlights and radio, too. (BayGen Radio) It sure was nice to be able to have music and hear news, etc., last January. smileys/smile.gif
Thanks for sharing your tips! smileys/smile.gif
gayle-mo
Well-known member
One more thing - keep one old fashioned corded phone in your house...
even if you don't keep it plugged in. They work with no electricity! smileys/smile.gif
Well, two. lol
I keep an old fashioned fireplace popcorn popper around for times such as this along with a jar of Orville's popcorn. smileys/smile.gif
You'd be amazed and how much better popcorn is during a time like this! smileys/smile.gif
((((Hugs))))
even if you don't keep it plugged in. They work with no electricity! smileys/smile.gif
Well, two. lol
I keep an old fashioned fireplace popcorn popper around for times such as this along with a jar of Orville's popcorn. smileys/smile.gif
You'd be amazed and how much better popcorn is during a time like this! smileys/smile.gif
((((Hugs))))
dawn_mo
Well-known member
Oh yikes!
We have firewood, lots of water (I just picked up 4 cases of 1 liter bottles of sparkling water and a five gallon water dispenser out in the garage, plus various sodas, no beers though!) I did a bunch of cooking yesterday, so I have lots of leftovers and cooked frozen food in the freezer. I do have a corded phone up in the bedroom. I am pretty sure I have batteries and flashlights downstair (from my tornado readiness). I have one kerosene lamp, an antique one from my mom, but I am not sure it works. We have lots of board games, card, chess and checker boards to keep us occupied. At my urging hubby just chopped a bunch of wood and brought it up to the house. Thanks for all your advice and caring!
We have firewood, lots of water (I just picked up 4 cases of 1 liter bottles of sparkling water and a five gallon water dispenser out in the garage, plus various sodas, no beers though!) I did a bunch of cooking yesterday, so I have lots of leftovers and cooked frozen food in the freezer. I do have a corded phone up in the bedroom. I am pretty sure I have batteries and flashlights downstair (from my tornado readiness). I have one kerosene lamp, an antique one from my mom, but I am not sure it works. We have lots of board games, card, chess and checker boards to keep us occupied. At my urging hubby just chopped a bunch of wood and brought it up to the house. Thanks for all your advice and caring!
please keep yourselves safe and stay in touch here, if you can. I hope the worst
of it passes you over.
if you don't have sand for the car, kitty litter works great too. I know Dawn has some of that.
Ice storms are so dangerous and so very beautiful all at the same time.
here's hoping you have a couple of snuggy days, warm and safe and your power stays on.
big HUGS to you both
of it passes you over.
if you don't have sand for the car, kitty litter works great too. I know Dawn has some of that.
Ice storms are so dangerous and so very beautiful all at the same time.
here's hoping you have a couple of snuggy days, warm and safe and your power stays on.
big HUGS to you both
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Thanks, Randi!
I'll see about posting a few pics from January's storm. It was beautiful but so damaging. No fruit this year. It absolutely looked like a war zone around here with trees broken off in half, with limbs dangling by a thread of bark. I have a couple of pics from down our road, I'll see if I can find them.
May take me a bit. smileys/smile.gif
I'll see about posting a few pics from January's storm. It was beautiful but so damaging. No fruit this year. It absolutely looked like a war zone around here with trees broken off in half, with limbs dangling by a thread of bark. I have a couple of pics from down our road, I'll see if I can find them.
May take me a bit. smileys/smile.gif
finding the pics is great storm distraction '-)) I remember, many years ago in NY, being upstate
after an ice storm. there was an apple orchid and the remaining apples were encased in ice and sparkled like jewels in the sunlight. just breathtaking.
of course, driving breathtaking too '-))
be safe and stay in.
after an ice storm. there was an apple orchid and the remaining apples were encased in ice and sparkled like jewels in the sunlight. just breathtaking.
of course, driving breathtaking too '-))
be safe and stay in.
misplaced-in-az
Well-known member
Boy oh boy, this brings back so many memories for me. When we lived in
NH we also had storms like this. Many a day my DH walked to work (5 miles) as is was too icy to drive. It is beautiful, but can be so dangerous. I miss the snow though. When we lived in an area where we could walk down town, we'd bundle up, put on the boots and walk in the newly fallen snow. It was amazing, when I worked in a grocery store, how many people came out to shop and that they were laughing and having a great time. Sometimes we were busier on snow days than on no snow days. I still miss the winters (yeah I'm nuts) and the changing seasons. The picture is beautiful Dawn. We did the same things as you all are doing, stocking up. We often lost our electricity too. These past several years it seems that the winters in our area in NH are not nearly as severe as they used to be. Anyway, stay warm and safe and try to enjoy the respite from the hustle and bustle.
NH we also had storms like this. Many a day my DH walked to work (5 miles) as is was too icy to drive. It is beautiful, but can be so dangerous. I miss the snow though. When we lived in an area where we could walk down town, we'd bundle up, put on the boots and walk in the newly fallen snow. It was amazing, when I worked in a grocery store, how many people came out to shop and that they were laughing and having a great time. Sometimes we were busier on snow days than on no snow days. I still miss the winters (yeah I'm nuts) and the changing seasons. The picture is beautiful Dawn. We did the same things as you all are doing, stocking up. We often lost our electricity too. These past several years it seems that the winters in our area in NH are not nearly as severe as they used to be. Anyway, stay warm and safe and try to enjoy the respite from the hustle and bustle.
janet-in-nc
Well-known member
Remember to put the cover on your disposal so food scraps don't get in there accidently. Boy,
it stinks after a week. We lost electricity here in Raleigh for a week after an ice storm. It gets old very fast in an all electric condo, even if you're prepared. Good luck. Stay safe
it stinks after a week. We lost electricity here in Raleigh for a week after an ice storm. It gets old very fast in an all electric condo, even if you're prepared. Good luck. Stay safe
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Pics from Jan 07 ice storm
I found 3 pics taken in January when our area was immobilized for the better part of 3 weeks.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/ice_storm_LinesDown_07-1.jpg
I found 3 pics taken in January when our area was immobilized for the better part of 3 weeks.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/ice_storm_LinesDown_07-1.jpg
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Picture #2 Broken down trees
The branches had broken off and fallen to the ground on these trees.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/ICE_storm1.jpg
The branches had broken off and fallen to the ground on these trees.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/ICE_storm1.jpg
gayle-mo
Well-known member
Picture # 3 Ice covered branch
This is a sample of how thick - and HEAVY, the ice was. Imagine this on tree branches, electric lines - cars, guttering...anything and everything outside! What a mess it was!
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/Ice_storm_Jan07_branch_glove.jpg
This is a sample of how thick - and HEAVY, the ice was. Imagine this on tree branches, electric lines - cars, guttering...anything and everything outside! What a mess it was!
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f312/Agape4u/Ice_storm_Jan07_branch_glove.jpg
W
whipappeal
Guest
Wow...the pics are scary! Stay safe and warm.
I remember sliding to classes, one January at Mizzou...
Best wishes from a Mizzou M.A. smileys/wink.gif
I remember sliding to classes, one January at Mizzou...
Best wishes from a Mizzou M.A. smileys/wink.gif