Preparing for the Big Winter Storm

It's snowing at The Lighthouse. I got under my blanket and now I have a Coleman heater on top of me.

 

27K views · 8.3K reactions | SHELTER-IN-PLACE OUTER BANKS, NC This isn’t a movie scene. This is a blizzard targeting a barrier island. Whiteout conditions are expected. Winds strong enough to push vehicles. Snow and freezing spray turning roads into ice in minutes. Do NOT travel. Once conditions collapse, there may be no safe way in or out. This shelter-in-place order is at the request of Dare County Emergency Management. If you’re already there: Stay inside. Prepare for power disruptions. Follow official alerts only. This isn’t panic. This is preparedness. Would you risk being caught on an island when this hits? #OuterBanks #BlizzardWarning #WinterStorm #ExtremeWeather #StayInside #WeatherAlert | Joemar Sombero

 

18.8" predicted for Jacksonville, NC.

I haven't seen snow like that around here since 1979.

 

I want Global Warming back.

 

SeaWolf, are you able to shut the faucets off on the inside of the house? Or is that a midwest thing?

 

I have two outside faucets dribbling, in front and behind the house, as well as a couple inside. In a worstcase situation I can shut off water to the house at a cutoff valve behind the house. I have five gallons of fresh water stored, as well as several 28oz water bottles, so I could go a couple days without running water.
The Weatherguessers are saying we could have snow flurries!

 

Got it…we have shutoffs in the basement, pretty much standard up here.

 

The last few years,, them Outer Banks islands have been taking a beating ,, I can't remember how many houses the ocean has taken the last few yrs ,, but I've heard the insurance companies aren't paying out for them houses no more. Seems they're steadily pushing sand around trying to stop mother nature.

 

Being Florida, we don't usually have to consider DEEP freezes like this (deep for US!), and of course basements are rare here, with water tables sometimes so shallow. Life in Sunny Florida. At least this cold will keep the gators in their holes.

 

We got about 2" of snow and 20 degrees, we have 3 feral cats we take care of and I set up a heat lamp for them --one has hurt paw we'll be taking to the vet tomorrow. Sun is supposed to come out warm up above freezing ----------Snow be gone

 

They're saying we got 15". I had snow up to the hood of my car and had 5 gallon buckets completely covered in the back yard, so I'm thinking more like 18"-20" here.

I've dug out the driveway already (it's steep, and I can't get up it if it's slippery) and knocked all the snow off the car. My handiest prep item isn't usually used for snow, but my snow shovels, that serve as brass shovels at the range, were very handy.

I've got the only clean car and dry concrete driveway in the neighborhood. Not sure if that makes me stand out as a "pepper" or just a Damn Yankee.

The thaw/freeze cycle is going to be brutal for the next few days. I choose not to participate.

 

370K views · 4.7K reactions | Never trust a groundhog! #GroundhogDay | Black Wax Cafe

 

Here in the South we have General Beuaregard Lee, our weather predicting groundhog. Wiki says,
"In 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculated General Lee to be more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil, boasting an 80% accurate rate compared to Phil's 35%.[6] The groundhog-sized ante-bellum style mansion that General Lee lives in is known as Weathering Heights.[7]"

I'll put my money on Lee.

 

Got a friend on day 5 running his gen on propane and he's about out, Truck won't deliver until the 6th.
He had better get ready to hump gasoline?

 

I planned to eat well, with or without power through this storm, and have been happily surprised by what I've found hiding in cupboards and refrigerators. No beans and rice, although some rice might be nice.

 

I never lost power ,, so I was in pretty good shape,, had the tried and true Coleman stove ,, with the help of Mr Hot Diggity on some technical advice.
But did come up with a new project,, will have to sit down at the drawing table.
But I installed 1 of them wall mounted propane heaters over last yr ,, and I believe I can hang a rack on the front to set a pot to keep a pot of coffee at the ready. It may not boil water ,,but could keep a pot warm.

 

I saw something that I thought was pretty good, too bad I didn't capture the images.
It was basically an indoor wall mounted propane heater that was mounted to a movable platform. The platform had a wall on it, with the heater on the front and a 20lb tank on the backside.
Come spring time people will probably be almost giving away these heaters. I might make one up for use in my shop.

 

Last night my heat pump blew a hole in the coil and lost all of the refrigerant. Thank goodness for the Big Buddy and a 20# propane tank!

 

Every house needs a propane heater and a 20# or 40# propane tank, maybe more than one. The set-up is simple, cheap, and will be there when you need it.