Preparing for storms and power outages

In Nextdoor Neighbor, someone asked about a Survival Kit for the upcoming winter, especially in case there are power outages. What an opportunity to make a few suggestions and to get people thinking. She says she has candles, water, and food that won't need to be cooked. She is asking for suggestions for other things.

So far I have suggested a propane heater, a camp stove, flashlights and headlamps with extra batteries.

So far, I am the only person who has given input. She posted last evening. If this gets anyone else thinking, this is great! I also included the link to this article by NASA about Grand Solar Minimum.

https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/news-articles/solar-minimum-is-coming

We spoke with MIL over the weekend, who says she wants to get ready for winter. However, we were there in the afternoon and she still had her bathrobe on. DH told her about a good deal on a generator months ago, but just now is (so she says) giving it consideration and wanted to know what size to get. DH gave her the information but I have doubts she will act on it until the power actually goes out. We also mentioned to her to keep at least 3 cases of bottled water on hand and to consider getting a water dispenser with a 5 gallon bottle so that she would always have water for her cats. I don't think she will do that either, but by making it about her cats, she might actually consider it.

For us getting ready for winter means making sure propane tanks are full, winterizing the camper and other equipment, making sure firewood is put up (even though we don't burn wood), stocking up on salt for the softner since I don't like trying to move heavy things through the ice and snow, making sure space is clear of rocks and debris for snow plowing, doing tune ups on the chainsaws and generators, etc. We definitely sleep better knowing everything works properly for when winter and stroms strike. I also just finished my list for the fall canned goods sale that is happening right now. I don't have much to add to my pantry, but I will be topping off my canned goods this week.

angie_nrs said:

DH gave her the information but I have doubts she will act on it until the power actually goes out.

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I believe this is true for lots of people. They don't purchase things like this until it becomes essential. We know that that is often too late. They are sold out and fuel is almost impossible to acquire. Many people will sell them as soon as they can afterwards.

For winter I am all about the back up sources of heat. I have a couple generators and a couple large EdenPURE heaters, but I also have a number of propane tanks with heaters, and a just-in-case kerosene heater. Plus as Northerners we also have piles of wool blankets and LOTS of cold weather gear, like 4-5 cases of hand & feet warmers. We also took one of the bedrooms in the basement, wrapped and insulated the heck out of it, put in an insulated door, winterized windows, and made sure it would hold in any heat that was generated.

Sentry18 said:

For winter I am all about the back up sources of heat. I have a couple generators and a couple large EdenPURE heaters, but I also have a number of propane tanks with heaters, and a just-in-case kerosene heater. Plus as Northerners we also have piles of wool blankets and LOTS of cold weather gear, like 4-5 cases of hand & feet warmers. We also took one of the bedrooms in the basement, wrapped and insulated the heck out of it, put in an insulated door, winterized windows, and made sure it would hold in any heat that was generated.

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Get @phideaux to show the LP stash he's sitting on.
He don't need no kerosene.
He'll be one of the few that crawls out from the next ice-age without ever losing power or heat.

C'mon, show them jugs!
And 'fess-up to what you did to your generator.

Extra clothes and food in the vehicles. Plenty of firewood split and stacked. Fuel for the generator if it's needed. I'll do my test run on the genny this weekend. 30 minutes under load.

Sentry18 said:

For winter I am all about the back up sources of heat. I have a couple generators and a couple large EdenPURE heaters, but I also have a number of propane tanks with heaters, and a just-in-case kerosene heater. Plus as Northerners we also have piles of wool blankets and LOTS of cold weather gear, like 4-5 cases of hand & feet warmers. We also took one of the bedrooms in the basement, wrapped and insulated the heck out of it, put in an insulated door, winterized windows, and made sure it would hold in any heat that was generated.

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How do you winterize windows? Many people put up plastic and it is a big help. I have seen inside storm windows, which is another layer that can be added on the interior, in addition to the exterior storm windows that older windows have had.

Weedygarden said:

How do you winterize windows? Many people put up plastic and it is a big help. I have seen inside storm windows, which is another layer that can be added on the interior, in addition to the exterior storm windows that older windows have had.

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We bought specialty multi-pane windows designed for cold environments that were properly installed and then caulked. They have a serious multi-point latching system that pulls them closed very tightly against weather stripping. They also have an interior window film that is supposed to trap heat and keep it from escaping. On many of our windows we have thermal curtains/drapes which act like another layer of insulation.

Supervisor42 said:

Get @phideaux to show the LP stash he's sitting on.
He don't need no kerosene.
He'll be one of the few that crawls out from the next ice-age without ever losing power or heat.

C'mon, show them jugs!
And 'fess-up to what you did to your generator.

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I'll have to take some more pics, can't find my old pics of of the LP tanks, plus I have added a couple .

But I got some other ..

To run my generator on propane.

To use for misc appliances


Keep me warm and cooking


Last time I calculated , I have enough LP to run my generator 2 hours a day for 3 years, which I wouldn't need to

Jim

phideaux said:

I'll have to take some more pics, can't find my old pics of of the LP tanks, plus I have added a couple .

Last time I calculated , I have enough LP to run my generator 2 hours a day for 3 years, which I wouldn't need to.

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The old 'jugs' photo was taken 08-20-15. It 'evaporated' elsewhere.
May be time for a new one.

You want to see prepared?
That guy has it dialed-in.

we have plenty of water,fuel and food. but always looking for more to replace what we use. store has water on sale tomorrow for 2.00 per case. gonna get some.

The ice storm put me without grid power for 21 days,

Proud to say..we brought our entire family over to live with us. They brought some food things.

We made it just fine , no problems, plenty water , food, heat , electricity, cooking and showering no problem.

That was a trial run for me.
I learned about our preparedness.
I could have used my insulated , heated by wood, with water, shop, but didn't need to.

I also keep a minimum of 130 gallons of diesel in barrels.
Keep tractor, garden tractor and truck topped off with diesel ( another 50 gal)

Jim

phideaux said:

The ice storm put me without grid power for 21 days,

Proud to say..we brought our entire family over to live with us. They brought some food things.

We made it just fine , no problems, plenty water , food, heat , electricity, cooking and showering no problem.

That was a trial run for me.
I learned about our preparedness.
I could have used my insulated , heated by wood, with water shop, but didn't need to.

I also keep a minimum of 130 gallons of diesel in barrels.
Keep tractor, garden tractor and truck topped off with diesel ( another 50 gal)

Jim

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This had to have been a great lesson for your children and grands as well.

Weedygarden said:

This had to have been a great lesson for your children and grands as well.

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I hope so, I think it woke them up.
We talked about it a lot for years.

Do I see any prepping ....no.

Jim

phideaux said:

I hope so, I think it woke them up.
We talked about it a lot for years.

Do I see any prepping ....no.

Jim

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Sad, isn't it? Maybe they think you will always rescue them?

The wind blew like crazy today. We keep a supply of water which I'm hoping to increase. But up the mountain our power went out somewhat regularly. When the wind blew, I would fill a water pitcher or two just for drinking or morning coffee etc. I think the longest it was out was 4 days. We finally had the house to where we could flip the main and run it on the generator. Our gas tank was 270 gal. It wasn't ethanol free like we prefer for the generator, but in an emergency situation-

i just had 3 power surges.and i just knew it was off for the duration on the 3rd one.but got off easy.seeing how it's suppose to get down around 30F tonight..and with the rain.i figure the wind chill will be lower then that.

Stay warm, jimLE

will do.

I have Lots of Stored Water and a Dispenser, plenty of Stored Food, Medical Supplies, Weapons, Wood for Two Years, Propane for about 1 1/2 Years, Propane Camp Stove, Kerosene Heater, Electric Heaters, Generator to run nearly the whole House, lots of Candles, Oil Lamps, Flashlights and extra Batteries. If it gets really, really Cold I have 6 0r 8 Moving Mats that I can put over my Windows and Patio Doors for extra Insulation, plus lots of Wool Blanket, Quilts, and cold Weather Clothing. I think I will do Okay.

camo2460 said:

I have Lots of Stored Water and a Dispenser, plenty of Stored Food, Medical Supplies, Weapons, Wood for Two Years, Propane for about 1 1/2 Years, Propane Camp Stove, Kerosene Heater, Electric Heaters, Generator to run nearly the whole House, lots of Candles, Oil Lamps, Flashlights and extra Batteries. If it gets really, really Cold I have 6 0r 8 Moving Mats that I can put over my Windows and Patio Doors for extra Insulation, plus lots of Wool Blanket, Quilts, and cold Weather Clothing. I think I will do Okay.

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Sounds like you and I went to the same school...

Jim

camo2460 said:

I have Lots of Stored Water and a Dispenser, plenty of Stored Food, Medical Supplies, Weapons, Wood for Two Years, Propane for about 1 1/2 Years, Propane Camp Stove, Kerosene Heater, Electric Heaters, Generator to run nearly the whole House, lots of Candles, Oil Lamps, Flashlights and extra Batteries. If it gets really, really Cold I have 6 0r 8 Moving Mats that I can put over my Windows and Patio Doors for extra Insulation, plus lots of Wool Blanket, Quilts, and cold Weather Clothing. I think I will do Okay.

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I made an insulated blind for my big front room window. It made a big difference, but I took it down when I painted and changed out decor. I have thought I could recover it to go with the decor again. The big work is done, just need to add a new cover. It has rings and could be lifted and lowered as needed.

I had a friend in North Dakota who made quilted covers for each of the windows in her home that were hung up that could be lifted and closed. They were really attractive.

I have thought about moving mats, but I know it would be great to have these done like my insulated blind, hung and ready to go. I would like to have secure window covers on the outside of my home that could be opened and closed as needed.

My new FIRMAN H07552 is a 9400 watt 50A powerhouse.

I now have five or six generators. But this new Firman Generator is "SUPER SWEET". I figured that being an oldman that electric start will be handy at some point. The State of Alaska gave us all $1,606.00 just for living here in paradise. So the generator was $699.99 so I still have $900.00 for more guns or ammo. Did I ever mention that Alaska is WONDERFUL.

https://www.firmanpowerequipment.com/shop/h07552-7500-watt-dual-fuel-electric/#

There is sooooo much to know in making decisions about generators. I have likely gone through about 20 generators in the last 55 years. There is "NO" clean-cut and simple answer. I have diesel generators that are massive and very heavy, they require heavy equipment to move. Diesels run at 1,800 RPM and are generally always liquid cooled, They are great for very remote hunting lodges and fishing lodges, etc.. But diesels require daily maintained.

Gas or propane generators run at 3,600 RPM. And that causes massive vibration, which "fairly" quickly rattles then apart. Plus they are "Air cooled" which is not as good as liquid cooled. These generators are disposable, they are cheap to purchase and intended for short term period use and only very occasional use. They don't like to run for long periods.

No generator wants to run out of fuel while carrying a heavy load. Clearly identify your need, accept that anything short of a large diesel generator is going to be at best a temporary and short term fix. In deep "BUSH" Alaska you want two large diesel generators and about four gas "Back'up" generators. All in fairly good running order.

Don't think that for $349.99 you are going to purchase anything but a short term Band-Aid to temporally endure a weather related power outage. A generator for 24/7/365 for ever and ever SHTF is a whole different ballgame.

So what generators do you like, VP? What do you think of the larger Generacs?
And what do you think of solar ones?

Weedygarden said:

Sad, isn't it? Maybe they think you will always rescue them?

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Even though my son and his "girlfriend", they've lived together long enough to be called a "common law marriage, live only 30 miles to the south, depending on weather or other situations, roads being shutdown or controlled, he might have issues in getting here, he could take a back road but if it's been snowing that could be a problem. Sometimes I think they feel that we are just a couple of old windbags, spouting off that the end of the way things are is coming soon, they are just not seriously prepping and we are thinking that they are going to get caught with their pants down on what's coming, truth is, most of the time you just can't help peoples stupidity and when the SHTF you may have to write your family off, sad but something we may have to face.

viking said:

...Sometimes I think they feel that we are just a couple of old windbags, spouting off that the end of the way things are is coming soon, they are just not seriously prepping and we are thinking that they are going to get caught with their pants down on what's coming, truth is, most of the time you just can't help peoples stupidity and when the SHTF you may have to write your family off, sad but something we may have to face.

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I remember talking to my mom years after we 5 brothers had moved out on our own.
She said these words that stuck in my head:
"You raise them and teach them the best you can and then you have to release them into the world and hope for the best".

Every one of us could find our way back if we got in a jam.
Some had to make a pit stop or 2, but we all were successes.